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Dr
Tommy Simon is putting his entire United States Thoroughbred operation Vinery,
Ltd on the market, but he will retain his interest in Vinery Stud in the Hunter
Valley with partners Gerry Harvey, Steve McCann, Greg Perry, Alan Green and
Neil Werrett.
Vinery U.S owns major stallion and boarding farms in Kentucky and Florida, as
well as leasing two farms in New York, so news of the impending sale has made
headlines worldwide as per this story earlier this morning.
Vinery Australia has confirmed Dr Simon is a minority partner in Vinery
Australia and will retain his interest in this business.
The shuttle stallions More Than Ready (USA)(pictured) and Congrats (USA) are currently in
Australia and will continue to shuttle to Vinery in the Southern Hemisphere and
are not affected by this decision.
Tom Ludt, president of Vinery's U.S. operations,
said it will be business as usual for the foreseeable future.
"It's not a fire sale," Ludt said. "The stallions are not
moving, they are not shutting anything down, and are going to operate the farms
as is."
Simon purchased Vinery's 440-acre Kentucky farm in 1999 and expanded to Florida
and more recently New York.
The entire operation, including Vinery Racing, is available for purchase, Ludt said with the decision
to sell being made
by Simon's entire family, none of whom lives in the United States.
"The horse business is passion-driven," he said, "and the passion is just not there anymore."
Stephanie Weisse, who had previously lived at the Kentucky farm near Lexington
and was very engaged in the business, has moved back to Europe and recently had
a second child. Tommy Simon's son, Jan Simon, is involved in other family
businesses. Tommy Simon is also busy with other family businesses outside of
the United States.
"They came in late last week and we talked about everything, about what to
do," Ludt said. "They came to the conclusion that if they're not
going to be involved, just sell it. Tommy is willing to step back and stay in
with a minority position (as he previously did with Vinery Australia). But they
felt it was wise to offer the whole package in case someone wants to step
up."
That package would include stallion shares, bloodstock, and the land.
"This is complicated," said Ludt. "It will take a lot of time to
decipher and go through it all. But everyone felt the best way to go forward is
to send out a press release announcing the intention to sell. Farm employees
were notified, and word was getting out there, so why not be upfront."
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