OVERBROOK FARM TO DISPERSE
The following press was distributed by Keeneland Association regarding the dispersal later this year of the breeding stock and a majority of the racing stock of Overbrook Farm, the Lexington Thoroughbred operation founded by the late William T. Young.
Lexington, Ky. (June 9, 2009)—Overbrook Farm, founded and developed by the late William T. Young into one of North America’s most successful breeding establishments, announced today that it will completely disperse its Thoroughbred yearlings, breeding stock and the majority of its horses in training, beginning at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale.
“Over a period of more than 30 years my father developed Overbrook Farm into one of the most successful and respected breeding operations in the world,” said Bill Young Jr. “The decision to disperse is a personal one that came after a great deal of thought. I simply don’t have the same passion for the Thoroughbred sport that my father did, despite my respect for the business.”
Overbrook Farm, which is located outside of Lexington, bred, raced and has been the home of perennially leading sire Storm Cat, who was pensioned last year.
“The retirement of Storm Cat ended a phenomenal era at Overbrook,” continued Young. “The dispersal will give buyers a unique opportunity to purchase families that previously have not been available commercially.”
Overbrook has bred and raced a long list of champions, classic and Breeders’ Cup winners including 1996 Kentucky Derby victor Grindstone and 1999 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Cat Thief along with champions Boston Harbor, Flanders, Golden Attraction and Surfside. Overbrook also bred and raced dual classic winner Tabasco Cat, in addition to racing champion Preakness winner Timber Country and Belmont winner Editor’s Note.
Overbrook received an Eclipse Award in 1994 as outstanding breeder. The farm has bred 113 stakes winners including 62 group/graded stakes winners–21 group/grade 1.
Approximately 200 horses will comprise the dispersal. It will include approximately 75 broodmares, 50 weanlings, 50 yearlings and 20 to 30 horses of racing age. Bill Young said Overbrook will continue to campaign a small racing stable under the direction of his son, Chris.
“Our goal is to lease the farm as a Thoroughbred operation,” continued Bill Young.
The dispersal, with Eaton Sales as agent, will begin with the sale of yearlings at Keeneland’s annual September Sale, which will start September 14. Weanlings, broodmares and horses of racing age will be sold during the November Breeding Stock Sale. The dispersal will continue during the January Horses of All Ages Sale.
“The late W. T. Young established a tradition of excellence at Overbrook,” said Keeneland President Nick Nicholson. “ Keeneland had the privilege of selling many sons and daughters of the great Storm Cat. Now we have the opportunity to offer our buyers horses from the outstanding Overbrook families.”
Tags: bill young, cat thief, eaton sales, editor's note, flanders, golden attraction, grindstone, Keeneland, keeneland september yearling sale, overbrook farm, storm cat, surfside, tabasco cat, thoroughbred racing and breeding, timber country, william t. young
June 9th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
With the retirement of Storm Cat and the sale of Pioneering, this isn’t unexpected, but it’s still sad.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Despite all the kindly things said of him, the late WT Young was in horses just for the money. Without doubt he was brilliant at it by using the same strategy as in his other successful enterprises: he hired the right people. He was quoted as saying it was the most profitable business in his long experience.
Consequently, this exit should not be a surprise. Mr. Young, Jr. should be complimented on his forthright admission that he is without deep interest in horses.
A question remains. With the Young Family’s much diminished interest in the sport, should they continue to hold two seats as Breeders’ Cup Members and Trustees?
June 9th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
In 1962 I groomed a mare at Centennial Race Track in Denver by the name of Bolero Rose. She was one of the top mares in that part of the country, winning several stakes. I lost track of her as the years went by until one day I saw that Crimson Saint, the dam of Storm Cat, was by Bolero Rose. Yep….the same old mare I rubbed at Centennial in Denver. I still have a win picture of her winning a stakes in Denver. What is going to happen to Storm Cat….the story doesn’t say.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Will someone please pension Hank Goldberg perhaps a stall at the Kentucky Horse Park would work.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Terlingua was Storm Cat’s dam. Crimson Saint was Terlingua’s dam, not Storm Cat’s.
http://www.pedigreequery.com/storm+cat
The plan is for Storm Cat to remain at the farm according to this article:
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090610/BUSINESS/906100373/Overbrook+Farm+to+sell+its+horses
(second page)
June 11th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I could not agree more with Waquiot re Hank Goldberg. Him and his sidekick Kenny Mayne are a disgrace to any racing broadcast and should have been cut many years ago.