Racing Post : 酋長美國大肆擴軍
Darley expand American division with purchase of Saratoga Farm
by Nicholas Godfrey
SHEIKH MOHAMMED’S burgeoning American division has grown a little bigger with news that he has purchased a 106-acre farm adjacent to Saratoga, the oldest and most prestigious racecourse in the US.
According to reports, Robert and Janice McNair, the principals of Stonerside Farm in Kentucky, have sold the historic property to the Sheikh for $17.4 million.(折合約1億3千5百萬港元)
The Sheikh’s Darley operation had for the last two years been leasing the land from the McNairs, who bought the farm in the 1990s from Betsy Whitney for $5.5m.(折合約4千3百萬港元)
Darley president Jimmy Bell told the Blood-Horse: “It was mainly used as a staging area for our two-year-old that needed a little more time to develop. We’ve been pleased with the farm the past two seasons and Sheikh Mohammed is always looking to give his horses every opportunity for their overall growth and development.
“The horses have thrived mentally and physically there, and we're happy to incorporate the facility into our overall program.” The Maktoums enjoyed a breakthrough season in the States in 2006, when top three-year-old colt Bernardini carried Sheikh Mohammed’s maroon-and-white colours to victory in three of the nation’s best-known races, the Preakness, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup.
He was beaten in the Breeders’ Cup Classic by Invasor, standard bearer for Sheikh Hamdan, who also owned the Belmont winner Jazil.
Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley stable finished champion owner in the US, while Godolphin’s Discreet Cat is expected to star on the dirt in 2007.
The new Saratoga property features twobarns, two homes and a one-mile training track, where Bernardini trained as a juvenile. Bell said it was possible a Polytrack surface also would be laid down.
Robert McNair issued a statement about the sale, saying: “Janice and I have enjoyed our timeat our Saratoga home, but since buying the Houston Texans of the National Football League, we’ve been unable to spend as much time in Saratoga as we had planned to.”
================================================================================
呢個牧場嘅複合增長講緊有9%, 每年起碼跑贏美債2%. 油王係歐洲慘澹經營, 佢咁缺呢D facilities個價賣得靚丫, 又多舊錢可以幫隊美式足球隊擴軍啦:yyy:
|
