Curlin May Be Auctioned

The saga of Curlin's ownership continues to be just as dramatic as his racetrack performance and produces even more surprising twists and turns. The latest came out of a Boone County, Kentucky courtroom this week as a Boone County Circuit Court judge handed a 20% ownership interest in the colt to the 400 plaintiffs who had been bilked out of legal fees by the two lawyers now sitting in the Boone County correctional facility. As a result of the judge's ruling, the 400 plaintiffs will share in the colt's earnings going forward and will claim 20% of the $2,7000,000 winner's share of the Breeders Cup Classic purse recently won by Curlin. The plaintiffs may also attempt to collect on the purchase price received by the Gallion and Cunningham when they sold 80% of Curlin prior to the Kentucky Derby for an unknown amount believed to be many millions.

The more interesting possibility raised by the plaintiffs' lawyer is the sale of Curlin at public auction. While no decision has apparently been made as of yet, it is clear that should a sale be necessary, a public auction is the only way to assure a buyer of clear title. A public auction of Curlin, based on recently announced stud fees of his close competitors Street Sense and Hard Spun and the possibility that he could be kept in training for a 4 year old season with the Dubai World Cup and another Breeders Cup Classic in his sights, should bring somewhere between $45-60 million.

I can't remember another auction of a proven colt and stallion prospect of his caliber, so the bidding could be spectacular - the interest is likely to be intense with stud farms in Kentucky and overseas all vying for the chance to buy him. There may well be interest from certain international buyers who want to race him next year and have major stallion operations to which he would be a welcome addition. It would be a fascinating auction, sure to be the highlight of any sale. Of course, it's also possible that the 80% owners will just make a good offer and buy out the 400 plaintiffs, although it may be hard to be sure you get all 400 to go along with the sale in anything short of a public auction.