The Thoroughbred Corp. to Restructure for 2004

A business-restructuring plan has been created for The Thoroughbred Corp. that will considerably change its focus as it heads into 2004, according to a release dated Oct. 30.

Nearly all of the corporation's breeding and young stock, including 42 mares and 16 weanlings, will be offered at Keeneland's upcoming November mixed sale. Among those mares offered is Spain, North America's all-time leading female earner, in foal to Storm Cat. Also on offer is Spain's weanling colt by Storm Cat.

Although a majority of its yearlings were sold in the fall of 2003, 95 racehorses will continue in training. They will remain under the management and direction of the company's president Richard Mulhall.

"Changes are inevitable after Prince Ahmed bin Salman died in 2002," said company spokesperson Terence Collier. "He was the chairman and the inspiration for The Thoroughbred Corp. Without his hand on the helm, there had to be major changes in its day-to-day operations. A significant reduction was already in the plans, but Prince Ahmed's untimely death hastened those plans."

Prince Ahmed died July 22, 2002 at the age of 43, just weeks after his War Emblem lost his bid for the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). He also owned Point Given, winner of the Preakness (gr. I) and Belmont in 2001, and that year's winner of the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year. He also owned Oath, winner of the 1999 Epsom Derby (Eng-I).

The Thoroughbred Corp. will retain majority shares in stallions Point Given and substantial parts of Dr Fong, Military, and K.O. Punch. It will remain as the primary owner of Royal Anthem, David Copperfield, and Performing Magic.

At present, The Thoroughbred Corp. has more than 100 horses in training including Johar, dead-heat winner of John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) on Oct. 25. Other major winners in 2003 include Atlantic Ocean, Kafwain, and Stylish.