Black Tie Affair Returning From Japan to the U.S.

Horse of the Year Black Tie Affair is returning from Japan. He has been purchased by Donna Hayes' The Stallion Company, and he will be syndicated to stand in 2004 at Blue Ridge Farm in Upperville, Va.

The deal was completed Aug. 3 in Saratoga by Virginia bloodstock agent and breeder Carols "Ned" Moore and California bloodstock agent Rollin Baugh. The two also arranged the The Stallion Company's deal to return Housebuster from Japan. In addition, Moore and Baugh have worked on other transactions that brought Twining back from Japan and sent Colonial Affair from Japan to South Africa.

Black Tie Affair stands in Japan at East Stud. Travel arrangements back to this country are still being worked out. No stud fee has been set, but it will probably be by private treaty, according to Moore.

Deals like Black Tie Affair's show that the trade in horses between this country and Japan "works both ways." Baugh said.