JC / Railbird

Owners/Owning Archive

So Much Mystery

Who is the buyer of the $8 million Storm Cat colt? Could it be Japanese owner Fusao Sekiguchi, best known for owning the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus? “Yes,” he said when initially asked by a DRF reporter. Then: “But Sekiguchi uncharacteristically declined to make any further comment himself or through a translator regarding where the colt would race or whether he had any partners in the purchase. After confirming that he had bought the colt … Sekiguchi was suddenly surrounded by three other members of his party. ‘This is not to be discussed,’ a female translator named Miki said. Asked if they wished to offer comment on any partners who might be involved in the colt’s ownership, the colt’s plans for racing, or his immediate destination, they consulted briefly in Japanese and then declined, repeating that it ‘was not to be discussed at all.’ Then the group, including Sekiguchi, left the pavilion.” (Daily Racing Form)
More: “Sekiguchi didn’t buy $8-Million Storm Cat colt, according to daughter-in-law” (Blood-Horse)

Posted in Owners/Owning on September 16, 2004

Gill May Send String

To Bay Meadows. The only issue would be stall space, say track officials. (Daily Racing Form)

Posted in Owners/Owning on September 14, 2004

Gill: “Willing to Bet Jesus”

Two horses owned by Michael Gill tested positive for the banned sedative fluphenazine, a NYRA steward said last Thursday. Clay’s Rocket and Kalookan Lady, both trained by Mark Shuman, won races at Saratoga on August 8 and 9, respectively. Gill claims the positives are signs of “a conspiracy against his stable supported by the New York Racing Association and its officials,” and “refutes the initial test results, swearing ‘on his five kids’ lives’ and ‘willing to bet Jesus’ that he will be exonerated and suffer no consequences because of the fluphenazine positives.” NYRA officials dismiss the conspiracy charges: “It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. He’s just fantasizing,” chairman Barry Schwartz told the Thoroughbred Times. While it’s unlikely New York will give Gill stalls any time soon, Lone Star Park has assigned him 50 for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup meet.

Posted in Owners/Owning on September 12, 2004