Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton have acquired Padua Stables’ interest in likely Horse of the Year Curlin, whose ownership structure has been under a cloud due to legal actions involving the principals of another part-owner, Midnight Cry Stable.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Attorney Richard Getty of Lexington said Jackson and Bolton are now looking at the future for the recent winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I).
“All possible alternatives for the future of the horse will be considered,” Getty said in a telephone interview.
A news release said “both Padua and the new owners of Padua’s interest in Curlin … very much enjoyed their prior association with Curlin, and wish a bright and unparalleled future for Curlin.”
Satish Sanan, who owns Padua Stables with his wife Anne, told The Blood-Horse the time had come for his partnership in the horse to end.
“We are glad; we had great fun and a great year,” he said. “But there comes a point where partners have different views and objectives. So, you go your own way.”
In addition to Stonestreet Stables and Bolton, Curlin is still partially owned by Midnight Cry Stable, the racing entity of a Kentucky holding company featuring embattled attorneys William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr.
The two attorneys are entangled in various legal battles over their representation of plaintiffs in the fen-phen class-action lawsuit, and a Kentucky circuit court judge recently ruled that certain funds from Curlin’s race earnings and future sale proceeds could be distributed to the plaintiffs.
The ruling has elicited differing opinions among some of those affiliated with some of the owners.
Getty would not comment on any possible negotiations with Gallion and Cunningham, who are incarcerated in a Kentucky jail on a separate federal action involving the fen-phen settlement. An attorney for Gallion and Cunningham had indicated the two attorneys would be willing to sell Curlin at auction, a feeling separately expressed by Sanan.
Curlin
