First-season sire Sands Of Mali (Fr) is at the centre of allegations brought by Steve Parkin against Joe Foley's Ballyhane Stud, the Irish Independent reported on Wednesday.
Parkin and his company Clipper BCS, LLP say he acquired the horse for £270,000 in August of 2020, but that Foley is now claiming a 50% share of the son of Panis. In his affidavit, Parkin said that the defendants did not purchase any share in the stallion. Parkin also said the defendant claims that he indicated acknowledgment of shared ownership in a WhatsApp message in November 2023.
Parkin said, “I sent no such WhatsApp message and deny the contents and indication of such an allegation.”
Clipper BCS and Parkin are seeking injunctions and orders requiring the defendants to relinquish possession of the 9-year-old stallion, who has sired 15 winners to date, including the stakes winner Ain't Nobody (Ire).
Justice Brian Cregan granted Robert Beatty SC, for Parkin and Clipper BCS, permission to bring short service of the proceedings on the defendants on Tuesday. Only the plaintiff's side was represented, and Cregan indicated the matter could be addressed as early as next week.
In the spring, the Parkin-owned stallions Asymmetric (Ire) and Space Traveller (GB) moved from Ballyhane and spent the remainder of the breeding season at Starfield Stud in Ireland. Parkin, the owner of Branton Court Stud in Yorkshire, also stands Soldier's Call (GB) and Shaquille (GB) at his Dullingham Park near Newmarket. The operation has sold a number of yearlings and horses in training throughout the year, including Parkin's homebred dual Group 1 winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who is now owned by Wathnan Racing.
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