After a 20-year business relationship between Clipper Logistics' Steven Parkin and his racing advisor, Ballyhane Stud's Joe Foley, ended in March, Parkin has filed against Foley in the Irish High Court as of Wednesday, The Currency reported.
A Classic-winning owner with Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the 2024 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, Parkin has had great success with his grey Clipper Logistics silks for many years, with the owner and Foley a formidable team. In the past, the relationship was described as “nearly like family”. The master of Ballyhane lodged his case against Parkin and Clipper Logistics in May.
The first hint of troubled waters occurred this spring when Parkin-owned stallions Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and Space Traveller (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) departed Ballyhane to instead stand the remainder of the 2024 breeding season at Starfield Stud. A third stallion, Sands Of Mali (Fr) (Panis) who is owned in partnership, has remained at Ballyhane.
Foley told The Irish Field at the time, that he wished “the team at Starfield all the best with the two horses”.
“It has been a great adventure helping Steve and his family build his racing and breeding operation into what it has become today and I'm proud of the top horses I have spruced for them over the years,” Foley added.
Parkin purchased Dullingham Park Stud in Newmarket in 2023, and earlier acquired Branton Court Stud in Harrogate. He sold Clipper Logistics to GXO Logistics for nearly £1 billion in May of 2022.
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