Roytz: I’ll Have Another to have a ‘great life’ in Japan

by | 06.26.2012 | 7:26am
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Since the announcement that I’ll Have Another has been sold to Big Red Farm in Japan, Three Chimneys, who stands I’ll Have Another’s sire, Flower Alley, has been fielding questions regarding the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner’s future.

Specifically, some fans expressed concerns in light of the fact that 1986 Derby winner Ferdinand stood in Japan and wound up being slaughtered.  On Jockey World Radio, Frankie Lavato interviewed Three Chimneys Marketing and Communications Director Jen Roytz, who addressed those concerns.  She clarified that when Ferdinand was sent to slaughter, he was no longer at the stud farm.  He had been sent to a riding stable.  Roytz said the whole experience was “very sobering” for farms in Japan, and many changes came about as a result.

“The farm that I’ll Have Another is going to is a fantastic farm over there,” said Roytz.  “They actually stand a horse that I used to ride when he was a racehorse called Roses In May, who’s a Dubai World Cup winner.  He’s over there, and he’s taken care of fantastically, treated like royalty.  So I’ll Have Another’s gonna have a great life over there.”

Roytz said Three Chimneys, who maintains a presence in Japan, will be keeping tabs on I’ll Have Another, paying him visits and sending out periodic updates on how he’s doing.

Click here to listen to the interview on Jockey World Radio.

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  • aprimo

     I’m somewhat relieved to hear that Three Chimneys will be monitoring IHA in Japan.  I don’t understand why Reddam wouldn’t have made this arrangement clear when the sale was announced.  I also don’t believe I have yet heard any confirmation that there is a buyback clause in the contract.  Also, it sounds like Three Chimneys had to approach Reddam and offer the arrangement, rather than Reddam being proactive in looking to ensure the safety and happiness of IHA while in Japan.  Frankly, what press I have read about the sale had precious little comment from Reddam, and what comments he did make sounded disingenuous.  It really doesn’t sound to me like Reddam is at all concerned about the welfare of the horse, only about getting top dollar from him.  If that’s not the case, then the PR on this thing has been absolutely abysmal to nonexistent.  It’s all very disappointing.

  • WILLIAM L. ANTON

    What do expect Reddam and O’Niell as a team.  Would you expect decency and integrity? Put the two of them in a bag, shake it up and you will find the parts interchangable. Both are an embarrassment to the horse racing industry.

  • Ida Lee

    Thank you so much for this article. If the announcement of I’ll Have Another’s sale to Japan had been handled correctly like this article for instance, maybe the hostility felt by fans of this beloved animal could have been avoided.  I for one have been worrying myself sick since I read of his sale. Let’s face it, fair or not, when a KD winner ends up chopped up in Japan, and then we read that the present KD winner has been sold to Japan in such an unexpected manner, the memories are hard to keep back.  This is not the kind of horror you forget.  All we want is for this precious boy to have a wonderful life. He took his connections and fans on an incredible ride. To give him a safe and fun life is the least we can do for him. From what I read in this article, I have the hope that this is exactly what he will have. 

  • DC

    Would you feel better if they made public the contract? Please people stop judging   people, you don’t have all the facts and assuming makes an ass-u-me.

  • DC

    He took you on that ride because of his connections not in spite of them, people have been making all kinds of assumptions with out any of the facts, any farm in the U.S. could have had IHA, apparently Japan wanted him more. And it’s not like he is the ONLY great american race horse standing in Japan, all which I might add as the article pointed out, are being treated very, very well.

  • aprimo

    I think it was entirely predictable that people would be concerned for the future welfare of the horse, given the Ferdinand incident.  You would think if there was a buyback clause that is something that Reddam would want to publicize, if for no other reason than to prevent unnecessary bad PR.  I don’t expect the full contract to be disclosed, or even the purchase price.  But it seems to me there is nothing to be gained by not announcing the inclusion of a buyback clause, unless there isn’t one.  Maybe Mr. Reddam cares even less for the goodwill of the fans than he does for the welfare of the horse.  But that certainly is contrary to the impression he seemed to be taking pains to convey during the Triple Crown run.  How quickly things change.

  • swaps55

    IHA will have cultivated geisha mares to while away the afternoons with. 

    More seriously, most Thoroughreds are sold for top dollar.  If there is a buyer, a top dollar is the goal.  Horses are a commodity that eats.  Can trade hands over and over. Japan has a history of buying top notch horses.  I recall Chateaugay going there, narrowing the legacy of the Swaps sire line. Was Chateaugay sold off by Darby Dan Farm??

  • dispute92

       There is a filly over there that beat Rachel Alexandra at Saratoga and no one cared about that sale. I am sure Persistently could have lived with the rest of the Phipp’s mares at Claiborne Farm. For some breeders and owners, money is always the goal.
     If Jen Roytz takes the time to explain the new surroundings of IHA as ideal, then that is enough for me. Three Chimneys has been keeping tabs on Silver Charm and sending photos for all to see. He looks marvelous, by the way.
     I am only concerned of the nuke health issues as are some others. It might not be of any concern for their horse farms. We tend to be more suspicious of these tragedies than others.
      Not saying I am glad to see him go but he is not the first to leave this country or the last. Racing is filled with business deals. Nothing new for this industry.
      One last thing, if people put forth the money to help rescues as they have for this story, we could at least do something worth while and help those that have been cast aside by their breeders and previous owners. There are some nice ones in the 5000 dollar range which is the start of a dangerous situation. Once they hit some of these low life tracks, it is very hard to rescue them. I have been trying to rescue one for 3 months and no closer now than when I started.

  • Rachel

    Pah-leeze. There are many, many American bred and raced horses in Japan…including some great mares.

    There are horses from the USA all over the world.

    How about worrying about the 100000 horse “log” in our own eyes before we judge and condemn the new owners for a 10 year-old “splinter” in their eye (that they didn’t even do, they did not own Ferdinand).

  • Delrene22

    I do hope that there is a binding clause in the contract that I’ll Have Another be returned to the United States once his breeding days are over.  Hopefully to a wonderful retirement facility like Old Friends or Kentucky Horse Park.  In my heart of hearts I wish he could stay in USA. 

  • Frankie Lovato Jr

    Thank you to the Paulick Report for posting our interview with Jen Roytz
    on our Jockey World Radio Show. It surely brought light and great relief to
    many people that are just on the outside looking in with the horse racing
    industry. This was a great opportunity to better educate our fans and place a
    positive twist on this situation that initially was taking a lot of wrongful
    criticism. Thank you Jen Roytz for coming on our show, you are a great
    ambassador to Three Chimneys and the entire racing industry!

    Frankie Lovato

    http://JockeyWorldRadio.com

    http://JockeyWorld.org

    Improving, promoting & providing education health & safety into the
    world of horse racing!
     

  • A. Wilson

     I’ve read that thought often since the announcement, the wish that IHA comes back home when his breeding career is over.

    He will have lived 3 years in the US versus (hopefully) 15+ years in Japan. Isn’t Japan his home at that point? If they are willing to provide retirement isn’t it better for the horse, who at this point is older and would be facing a heck of a plane ride, quarantine and upheaval from anything familiar to him?

    Not a snark at you, just a reoccurring thought that has been bouncing around in my head.

  • Ida Lee

    Excuse me but I’m not about to apologize for caring about I’ll Have Another’s future. I care about all our TBs (actually about all animals). But the subject of this article is IHA going to Japan so that’s what I comment on. So don’t get you panties in a wad. We all care about our animals.

  • aprimo

    I appreciate Jen’s efforts as well.  But I’m not sure I agree all the criticism was “wrongful”.  If it was, the lack of communication from Reddam to the fans, many of whom are bound to be new to racing, was surely a big contributing factor.  IHA was on the verge of winning the Triple Crown and had undoubtedly attracted a lot of attention and love from people not very familiar with racing, not to mention ownership and breeding.  That had to be obvious.  I’m also sure that it’s a lot more likely that new fans had heard of the slaughter of a former Kentucky Derby winner in Japan, but not very likely those same new fans would have heard about whatever reforms resulted from the tragedy.  I keep hearing about how racing needs more fans.  So wouldn’t you think an owner of a horse like IHA, if he were concerned about the welfare of the sport (not to mention the horse), would have taken more care to explain the sale to the fans of his horse, allay their fears and put a positive face on it from the get-go?  Good lord, this sport needs a united voice and a great PR team!  Or any PR team at all.

  • In tears

    I really pray if I’ll Have Another does not produce at stud, there is a clause to bring home to a retirement farm. I just don’t trust these two men (Reddam, ONiel). I agree with Mr. Anton

  • Bob

    The problem I’ve seen lately with breeding stock in Japan(stallions and mares) is if their careers do not take off they are being sold to farms in China where they are trying to develop a racing/breeding program.  This is completely new teritory for rescues and people that try to follow horses after their racing/breeding careers are over.  China is a completely different ballgame than Japan is at least at this point.  I hope there doesn’t have to be a “high profile” death in China to spur interest.

  • TBDancer

    Mr. Reddam said after IHA was retired that he had no interest in the breeding part of racing. I had the feeling then the horse would be sold and Team O’Neill would move on. As for IHA going to Japan, the Ferdinand incident opened a lot of eyes. From what I have read of the whole thing, the stallion’s connections didn’t do him any favors. He had not been a success in the breeding barn here and instead of retiring him or gelding him, they sent him to Japan where his breeding prowess did not improve. Can’t blame any single party or group of people on what befell the stallion. Everyone dropped the ball. IHA will be treated well and with luck will be fertile and make plenty of “Anothers.”

  • carol

    I read recently that all contracts now have “buy back” clauses….it is now standard…I know Silver Charm and Roses in May have them…not sure about Charasmatic or Empire Maker……but what about the girls …like Azeri and Hilda’s Passion?

  • anne

    Given what happened to Ferdinand people should be concerned for the welfare of the horse, after all, he made his connections a lot of money before the sale, you would think he deserves some consideration rather than  be treated as a commodity, and anyone who thinks otherwise is a , how did you put it ass-u-me.

  • Brad Cummings

    I don’t usually get involved in these kinds of discussions, but I have to say the idea that one American stallion was slaughter when it went to Japan means all American stallions should be worried about being slaughtered in Japan strikes me as extremely prejudicial. Has there never been a stallion slaughtered in the US? If they have (and they have) why aren’t we this level of afraid to let a stallion stand in this country?

  • Beach Bum

     Same, I haven’t heard a word about a “return” or buyback clause.  Again, I’ll Have  Another had a lot of emotional impact on American racing, and frankly I believe he would have won the Triple Crown had he not injured his tendon.  He still won two grueling Triple Crown races, running down the formidable competition both times, so I wonder if it would have been more prudent for breeders to consider ignoring his mother’s side of the pedigree and just seeing what a couple of crops looked like out of this horse before seeking overseas sales.  But perhaps all that still was not top dollar enough for Reddam. 

    I would politely ask that the Japanese make some effort to understand how some of us feel over here.  I don’t believe anyone seeks to be anti-Japanese; because, again, slaughter and overbreeding are worldwide problems that require addressing. BUT, just imagine what it would be were, say, a great horse like Orfevre to come stand over here, and when people start looking for him several years later, it’s “oh, sorry, he got slaughtered despite all of his accomplishments”.  I hope, everywhere, that people make effort to keep the Ferdinand stories to an absolute minimum. 

    A couple of weeks ago I caught the tale of Swale on HRTV.  What an absolute tragedy.  And he was buried in the Claiborne silks, intact, with Mr. Hancock and the stable manager crying as the grave was filled in.  I know that Ferdinand was able to leave more of a mark than Swale ever had a chance to–but I wish all horses could be treated with honor and dignity like the latter, Shangri-La or not…

  • Dcurtis78

    Did you read the article ?

  • wabstat

    It is my hope that IHA has a long and prosperous career at stud and that many of his sons and daughters spend their afternoons running away from the inbred sprinters being produced in Kentucky.

  • Vickijensen65

    Reddam has NEVER been in the breeding business.  His love is racing.  And what about the Lewis’s selling 2 DERBY winners to Japan in Charismatic & Silver Charm.  AFTER they flopped at stud in Ky.  Decency & integrity?  Really.  Think not, it was all about estate planning & the MONEY.  People like you, who have an opinion, based on nothing, are just jumping on the bandwagon to ‘hate Doug ONeil’.  Paul Reddam sold the horse to the highest bidder, as did the Lewis’.   And as well Mr Ramsey with Roses in May after his Dubai WC win.

  • Ace

    Pray.  You don’t trust these two men.  You agree with a lifetime 5.7% trainer.  Thank you for your informed opinion.

  • Big Red

    I’m actually not that concerned about IHA’s safety in Japan in light of all the changes that have been made since the Ferdinand tragedy. However, it’s still sad to see one of our Derby/Preakness winners be shipped abroad to spread his seed and not used to enrich our own bloodlines.

  • rockysdaughter

    I agree with aprimo. I think the owners of I’ll Have Another were surprised by the outcry at the sale of the thoroughbred to Japan. Even people who aren’t very educated in horseracing, like myself, have gotten used to paying attention to what happens to the horses when the race is over. Many of us fell in love with racing because of Barbaro, and got used to checking on on his progress regularly. Now it’s par to scan the racing news to see how the horses that are becoming familar are doing. If somebody dissappears to another country, it’s jarring. It’s a reminder of what racing used to be. Three Chimneys will do well to keep their word and make sure that IHA stays healthy and off the dinner table.

  • http://twitter.com/KeibaKate Kate Hunter

    Amen!

  • http://twitter.com/KeibaKate Kate Hunter

    China is in the same situation that Japan has been in. They have a LOT of money and they want to develop their breeding stock. It makes sense that they would try to buy from a country, like Japan, which has blended some of the best stock in the world together. I don’t think it is a different ball game. I think by being brand new, it offers a lot more opportunity to get in good with these budding breeders to ensure the safety of the horses after their careers are over. They will be looking for help and support anyway as they get started. So much potential there. 

  • aprimo

    Well, it was a shocking thing.  And I’m sure not many people in America are familiar enough with Japanese breeders to know which ones to be concerned about.  And even in this day and age of high-tech communications, it would still be difficult to keep tabs on horses in Japan.  Never mind the language barrier.  I’ve heard that even in this country it can be difficult to keep tabs on horses, and more difficult still to rescue one in jeopardy even when they are found.  So I think the concern upon hearing a beloved horse is being sold to Japan is understandable.  All the more reason for the owner to better communicate with the fans about the new owners and steps being taken to ensure the horse’s welfare.

    I do agree there is no need to resort to sheer bigotry, but I haven’t heard much of that.

  • Bob

    China does a great job on human rights what makes you think they will treat horses or any animal better?

  • Really???

    Don’t be surprised if Hav’re Da Grace don’t end up in Japan too.   Don’t forget she goes up on the auction block this fall.

  • Trivj

    Which track?  Who’s the horse you are trying to rescue?  Do you know a trainer at that track who can help you claim that horse?

  • dispute92

      I can not say at this point because we are getting closer. People do not have a clue how vendictive some of these trainers and owners can be. They would rather receive the 800 for slaughter than 5000 in a claim. The intelligence level is low. Some tracks have gentleman agreements as well, where other trainers do no claim their horses.
      This has been a nightmare. We still will need extra funds if the deal goes through. To top it off, this is NOT a former stakes winner.

  • Equineplay2003

    In tears……You do not trust these men?….Do you know these men?
    Lava Man has the best life of any former racer due to Doug’s love of the horse. Paul Redham picked up the travel expense of Lava Man while being IHA stable mate. 
    What have you done for horses other write these poor thought out, hurtful
    statements. Spend a day with Doug at the barn. He invites all to do this. Instead you would rather peck nasty thoughts on your computer. Get a life.

  • Equineplay2003

    Paul did the right thing. Anyone critical to this sale has never written a check for the cost of maintaing the stable of horses and platform Paul has provided you to write these articles. The owners foot the bill for this sport. Without them it does not exist, period.
    I assure you that Doug will keep tabs on I’ll Have Another. Lava Man has one of the best post race lives of any gelding thanks to Doug Oneill. Paul is a good owner and Doug is one of the best people I know……..Haters, get over it. These two men are here to stay
    and the sport is much better because they are in it.

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