Koichiro Hayata, a veterinarian who owned and operated Japan's C.B. Stud with his wife, Yukiko, has begun serving a five-year sentence in a Japanese prison for misusing syndicate funds of stallions he managed.
Hayata admitted his crime during court proceedings that concluded in May.
C.B. Stud is best known for standing Brian's Time, who was imported to Japan following a racing career that included victories in the Florida Derby (gr. I) and Jim Beam Stakes (gr. III). Brian's Time's most successful son, 1996 Japanese Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Narita Brian, was bred by Hayata Farms and helped propel the Hayatas to second on the list of leading Japanese breeders by money won. C.B. Stud stood as many as 10 stallions, including Narita Brian, who died in 1998.
The Hayatas were prominent buyers at American bloodstock sales in the 1980s and 1990s.
In 2004, a syndicate member filed suit against Hayata, and criminal charges were filed during the proceedings for that case. Hayata was found guilty of using funds from various stallion syndicates to buy horses in his own name and pay down personal debt.
The Hayata's farm has been sold, and some of the stallions remain there. Brian's Time was moved to Arrow Stud prior to the 2005 breeding season. Many of the horses owned by Hayata and his wife have been sold privately. Yukiko Hayata, also a veterinarian, was not charged in the case. Koichiro Hayata will no longer be able to own horses in his name at tracks operated by the Japan Racing Association.
By Ray Paulick
