Sad Times- Overbrook plans dispersal...

[ASB Stars]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/51177/overbrook-farm-to-disperse-stock


Two hundred head- at a challenging time. Very, very sad.

And Grindstone and Cape Town will be finding new digs....

[EventerAJ]

I just read that.

So sad. :( :(

[Glimmerglass]

Sad? Not really in the grand scheme of things to shed a tear about these days.

The biggest ATM of all times yielded many, many millions to them while he stood there - Storm Cat - and now that the well is dry they close up shop. They're just cashing out after a very long night at the table and one heck of a great ride.

From the AP (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/06/09/ap6524316.html)

Bill Young Jr.: "The main moving force was the fact I just don't have a passion for the sport, even though it's an exciting business."

The family will continue to own Overbrook's two active stallions - Jump Start and Grindstone, the grandsire of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and Belmont winner Summer Bird - but both will likely move to another farm.

[Beezer]

Clearly, the TB gene skipped a generation there. Why oh why was I not born into that family?? I would have kept that legacy going!!

[DLee]

My first thought was a fear that it would be developed. It appears that is not to be, at least for a while. I drive by Overbrook nearly every day on my way to and from town if I go on Tates Creek. It is such an oasis. Yes, I think it's sad as well. :(

[Equilibrium]

Well, I do think it's sad.

Yes, Storm Cat became an amazing stallion but Mr. Young made that happen. I was there when the first SC's came in to be broken. They all looked like fat show ponies and no one thought "Wow, here's a sire of the future!"

I have a lot of fond memories of Overbrook horses and of visiting Overbrook many many times. I liked to visit the mares, whom I use to get on, with their babies. An end of an era.

Terri

[Frog]

It's not sad if you're in the market for an Overbrook horse!



DLee, is there a lot of development going on in that area? Around here a lot of development plans have been stalled or cancelled- housing and commercial.

[keepthelegend]

Terri, the mares were incredible! That was always my favorite part as well. One summer I stayed in the cottage on the farm and had them practically in my back yard and I would just go out there and be in complete awe. The last thing I need is another broodmare, but what an incredible opportunity coming this November!

[Equilibrium]

Well if I could afford Cash Deal or Pearl City, then I would almost certainly be buying! Those 2 fillies meant a great deal to me in some very different ways. And Pearl I was with through out her career. Got on her when she first stepped in the barn as a 2yo in KY, we went to NY, we went to Saratoga, and we went to California. Cash came with a warning from the assistant in KY: Dumb as a box of rocks, freezes up, needs pony. Imagine my delight when I was on her the fist day. She actually proved to be none of that, she just had her own way of doing things. And out of all the horses I galloped she was by far the one with the most raw talent and I do mean she was incredible. She never had a chance to show what she could really do. Actually, I typed a bunch of other stuff, but deleted because I was upset about her path after breaking her maiden first time up very impressively. My passion is my passion and I was only an exercise rider at the end of the day.

Terri

[Mara]

Didn't they have a full sister to Flanders who was born blind, but kept as a broodmare? Seems I remember reading something about this long ago.

[keepthelegend]

I was actually going to mention Pearl City in my first post, I have a million pictures of her, she was in the closest field to the cottage! She was SOOO pretty!

[LaurieB]

Clearly, the TB gene skipped a generation there. Why oh why was I not born into that family?? I would have kept that legacy going!!

ditto for me. :yes:

[eventer4eva]

I really don't understand why the press is making this out to be "oh so sad"

it's not like they're euthanizing all the horses remaining there! they're selling them... sonny boy (yes, agree, why was I not born into that family!!!!!!!!!!) isn't interested since the atm (SC) is no longer dispensing cash so he's selling off. great opportunity for others to buy into these bloodlines.

as someone who has spent waaaayyy too much time at the sales over the past few years, the high end is still there. the quality horses will get bought, and probably for a fair price.

Considering they have said that SC is staying there, and the remaining stallions will return "home" to retire, doesn't sound like there's risk of this becoming another Hamburg Pavillion.

Again, I just don't see why this is "sad".

[ivy62]

It is sad because it is an end to an era...not about the horses at all, If Claiborne were to close it's doors I would simply cry..It was bad enough losing Calumet but at least the farm land appears safe for now...

[ASB Stars]

It is the end of an era- a dynasty is winding down. The man behind this dream is gone- and the new generation is...checking out.

The BIG stud- one of the most expensive, and prolific horses of this era- is done. This just signals that it is all over.

I suppose it reminds me of others- now gone. Castleton Farms, as an example.

And that, I find sad. :cry:

[LaurieB]

I really don't understand why the press is making this out to be "oh so sad"

it's not like they're euthanizing all the horses remaining there! they're selling them... sonny boy (yes, agree, why was I not born into that family!!!!!!!!!!) isn't interested since the atm (SC) is no longer dispensing cash so he's selling off. great opportunity for others to buy into these bloodlines.

as someone who has spent waaaayyy too much time at the sales over the past few years, the high end is still there. the quality horses will get bought, and probably for a fair price.

Considering they have said that SC is staying there, and the remaining stallions will return "home" to retire, doesn't sound like there's risk of this becoming another Hamburg Pavillion.

Again, I just don't see why this is "sad".

To me it's sad to see a family of horses that were carefully and successfully nurtured through a number of generations dispersed into other hands that probably won't give their welfare as high a priority as it has been up til this point. Of course the high end stock will go to all the right places, but the older mares, or those whose produce records aren't pristine, may struggle to find the right homes in this economy.

I also find it sad that yet another of the big successful farms that once ruled the industry has fallen by the wayside. So much of the history of TBs in America resides in these glorious farms. I can understand the economics that dictate the changes the industry is undergoing, but I still feel a tug of nostalgia for the way things were.

And selfishly--as one who works, lives, and plays here--I'm sorry to see another wealthy owner who was putting good money into the industry decide that he just doesn't have the interest to continue.

[ASB Stars]

ARGH! When I fly into Lexington, over Calumet, I just feel that awful feeling...I think of Alydar, and then, all that came before him...and it is just very, very sad...

[EventerAJ]

I agree Laurie... it's more than "one farm" or a bunch of horses. It's a deep part of the fabric that makes up this place, this glorious horse heaven. That's part of what makes Kentucky KENTUCKY. Not just random expensive equines grazing on bluegrass...but the people, the legacy, the history, the tradition of it all. There is a certain pride you can't describe unless you've experienced it.

Overbrook was part of that.

UK has a HUGE library (2nd only to Harvard), named after WT Young (who largely funded it). There is an enormous tapestry (http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/images/tap/wtytap.jpg) hanging in the lobby... Mr Young standing by a fenceline as Storm Cat gallops towards him. It's sad that soon, students won't have any clue who that is, or where that was.

[eventer4eva]

Yes, you guys all make good points. I too am a "lexington-ian" and I understand very much what you are saying!

on the other hand, I can't say that its a huge shock... the sadness for me really was when W.T. died... observers will note that there hasn't been any action at Overbrook since then (no new stallions added to the roster, etc)... so it's not like the son was really into it and then BAM done.

but this is the final, ultimate confirmation that the era is over. I suppose we can all keep our fingers crossed that this farm will go to new hands who will build a new dynasty.

[ArtilleryHill]

It's sad to me primarily because of the staff there, some of whom have worked for 20+ years at Overbrook and might find it hard in this economy to find jobs at their current pay-grade, and because it causes worry that part of the farm might be developed. Isn't part of it in the urban service area? But it is, as a few have said, an excellent opportunity for someone to get some great old bloodlines. I'm most interested in the filly out of Honest Lady--but I don't think my credit would go quite THAT far!