Wesley Ward Files for Summary Judgment in Ramsey Suit

Trainer Wesley Ward filed a motion Aug. 3 for summary judgment in Jessamine (Ky.) Circuit Court seeking to force owner/breeder Ken Ramsey to pay $903,274 in outstanding training bills.

Ward initially filed a suit March 19 to recover the delinquent payments. After that filing, Ramsey reportedly agreed to pay the trainer a minimum of $100,000 per month until the debt was paid, to give Ward all money from purses and claimed horses, and keep current on all monthly invoices, according to court documents.

MITCHELL: Trainers Back in Court to Collect Debt From Ramseys

Ramsey reportedly made miscellaneous payments to Ward from purses and money earned on claims along with one $100,000 payment in May but has not paid any monthly payments in June and July.

In an affidavit from Ward, he states his attorney, George Smith, contacted Ramsey about making the monthly payment for June and was told by Ramsey that he was in the process of selling property worth $1.5 million. Ramsey reportedly told Smith, once the deal closed, then Ward would be paid in full. Ramsey also said the closing had been delayed and that he was seeking a bridge loan in order to keep up with the monthly payments.

Because no further monthly payments were made following that conversation, Ward proceeded to file for summary judgment, according to court documents. Ward submitted with his affidavit a summary that shows he has 15 horses in training for Ramsey as of July and has had up to 39 horses for the owner since October of last year.

Ward also filed July 6 for an agister's lien on all of Ramsey's horses in his care. This lien in essence gives ownership to Ward and prevents Ramsey from taking them. Ward filed his lien in Fayette County because the horses are stabled at Keeneland.

Ramsey is also being sued by trainer Mike Maker, who filed for summary judgment July 14 in Fayette (Ky.) Circuit Court to recover $505,385 in unpaid bills. Maker has an Aug. 13 hearing scheduled before Judge Julie Goodman.

MITCHELL: Ramsey Disputes Total Owed in Maker Lawsuit

In responses to both Ward's and Maker's suits, Ramsey has disputed the amounts the trainers claim they are owed. In Maker's case, the trainer included $96,586 in interest, which Ramsey's attorney has characterized as "unauthorized interest" because neither Ramsey nor his wife ever agreed to any particular interest rate or "finance charge" that could be applied to their invoices.

In his response to Ward's initial suit, Ramsey only acknowledged that he had horses in training with Ward and that he had made a $50,000 payment to Ward on or around March 15. He categorically denied "each and every other allegation" made by Ward and asked for the suit to be dismissed.