NEWS
Overbook Farm plans complete dispersal
Posted: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 4:16 PM
Overbrook Farm, developed by the late William T. Young into one of the nation’s most successful breeding establishments, 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,” Bill Young Jr. said in a statement on Tuesday. “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 will continue to campaign a small racing stable under the direction of Young's son, Chris, and the family will look to lease the Lexington farm as a Thoroughbred operation, Bill Young Jr. said.
Overbrook bred and raced 1996 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Grindstone, the sire of 2004 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Birdstone. Birdstone sired 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Mine That Bird and ’09 Belmont winner Summer Bird.
Grindstone has stood at Overbrook since 1997. He and Overbook homebred Grade 2 winner Jump Start probably will continue their breeding careers at other farms, Bill Young said.
“We have been slowly disposing of our stallions,” Young said. “Storm Cat will remain here at Overbrook, and we will make arrangements for Grindstone and Jump Start to return here when they retire from duty.”
The other two remaining Overbook stallions, Pioneering and Cape Town, probably will be sold privately.
Overbrook has bred and raced a long list of champions, classic winners, and Breeders’ Cup winners, including Grindstone and 1999 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Cat Thief along with champions Boston Harbor, Flanders, Golden Attraction, and Surfside.
The farm also bred and raced dual classic winner Tabasco Cat, 1995 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Timber Country, and '96 Belmont winner Editor’s Note.
Despite its rich racing history, Overbrook may have been best known for breeding, racing, and standing leading sire Storm Cat, who was pensioned last year.
“The retirement of Storm Cat ended a phenomenal era at Overbrook,” Young said. “The dispersal will give buyers a unique opportunity to purchase families that previously have not been available commercially.”
The dispersal, with Eaton Sales as agent, will include approximately 200 horses--about 75 broodmares, 50 weanlings, 50 yearlings and 20 to 30 horses of racing age.
