A dispute between Classic-winning owner Steve Parkin and his former racing and bloodstock advisor Joe Foley over the ownership of Sands Of Mali continued in the High Court on Tuesday.
Parkin and Foley, the owner of Ballyhane Stud, where Sands Of Mali (Fr) is based, severed ties back in March. At the time, the Clipper Logistics boss Parkin moved stallions Space Traveller (GB) and Asymmetric (Ire) from Ballyhane Stud to Starfield Stud.
The court was told on Tuesday that Sands Of Mali, who sits third in the first-season sires' championship with 18 wins in Britain and Ireland, has an estimated value of €2.4 million.
Parkin and a UK-registered company, Clipper BCS LLP, says that he bought Sands Of Mali for £270,000 [€323,000] in August 2020. He disputes the claim made by Foley that the horse is owned 50-50 and say that the horse is being unlawfully and wrongly held at Ballyhane Stud.
The case, which was brought before the High Court last week, returned before Mr Justice Oisín Quinn on Tuesday where Robert Beatty SC, acting on behalf of Parkin, said the matter could be adjourned for the defendants to file affidavits and for the plaintiffs to file any replying affidavits.
Remy Farrell SC, acting on behalf of Foley, said an unfortunate aspect to the case was that much of the detail in the plaintiffs' claims ended up being reported “but our affidavits contradict much of what is said”. The case was adjourned and is likely to be heard next month.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
