Generosity of owners of 10 of the world's top stallions, and the cooperation of the Keeneland Association, have produced more than $1 million for equine research. No-guarantee seasons in the 10 stallions were auctioned on Nov. 5 as part of the Keeneland November sale, with varying percentages in each price designated for Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. The total raised for the charity is $1,035,000. Keeneland included the seasons in its sale catalogue and waived its usual commission on the transactions. The seasons brought a total of $2.5 million. Management in each stallion had earmarked a portion of the sale price to Grayson-Jockey Club, the leading source of private funding for equine research promoting the health and safety of horses. The top price was $500,000 bid by Buzz Chace, agent, for a 2001 no-guarantee season in leading sire Storm Cat, which stands at W.T. Young's Overbrook Farm in Lexington. Chace was reportedly acting on behalf of Daniel Borislow in that acquisition, as well as in the purchase of three other of the no-guarantee seasons. Chace also bid $270,000 to acquire the offered season in Dubai Millennium, the sensational Dubai World Cup winner who will stand his first season at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, England. Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum of Dalham Hall is also providing transportation costs and boarding for the mare selected for the season offered in the Keeneland sale. Chace and Borislow paid $230,000 for the season in the Kentucky Derby winner and major sire Unbridled, who stands at the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., and $180,000 for the season to leading sire Deputy Minister, which stands at Fred Seitz' Brookdale Farm near Versailles, Ky. The four purchases by Borislow totaled $1,180,000. The following were also part of the auction:
- A season to A.P. Indy, Horse of the Year and outstanding stallion standing at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky., brought $360,000 from Eugene Melnyk.
- Coronado's Quest, the Travers and Haskell winner who stands at Claiborne brought $115,000 from Louie Roussel III.
- A season to Fusaichi Pegasus for $225,000 went to Arthur B. Hancock III's Stone Farm and Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Farm.
- A season to Kingmambo, sire of classic winners here and in Europe and standing at Lane's End Farm, went to Nicoma Bloodstock, agent, for $210,000.
- A season to Seeking the Gold, sire of Dubai Millennium and among the top international sires, was purchased for $300,000 by Reynolds Bell Thoroughbred Services, Inc.
- Briggs and Cromartie Bloodstock Agency purchased a season to Pulpit who stands at Claiborne Farm, for $110,000. "This is a huge event for equine research," said Foundation president Edward L. Bowen. "For owners of such an elite level of stallion to use those unique resources on behalf of the health of horses goes beyond even the level of generosity the Thoroughbred industry has so consistently demonstrated. It certainly is a case of leading by example."
Grayson-Jockey Club currently is funding 23 projects for $825,000 and over many years has financed projects leading to solutions or progress in addressing various diseases, injuries and other soundness issues, and fertility problems. Grayson-Jockey Club welcomes membership and other donations. For more information, please contact the Foundation at 821 Corporate Drive, Lexington, KY. (859) 224-2850.