Blue Diamond Stud Buys Stonereath Farm

Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud in England announced Aug. 24 it had purchased Stonereath Farm, which covers 252 acres outside Paris, Ky.

The farm possesses a rich history, notably as the former home of blue hen mare and 1982 Broodmare of the Year Best In Show while it was under the ownership of Darrell and Lindy Brown. Alone or in partnership, Stonereath also bred such graded stakes winners as grade 1 winner Broadway Flyer and graded stakes winners Greek Costume and Kentucky Caper, and stakes winner Careless Heiress. In 2011, the farm was bought by German owner/breeder Dr. Christoph Berglar and run successfully under the Narola banner by his son Peter. Triple grade 1 winner Taiba  was prepped for the Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale at Stonereath by Erin O'Keefe's BTE Stables. Narola also campaigned grade 3 winner Summer in Saratoga  and stakes winners Financial Recovery  and Final Redemption .

Stonereath was sold as a turn-key farm with 60 stalls in four barns, 24 paddocks, and a yearling show ring area among its amenities. The farm was listed at $5,795,000.

The purchase of Stonereath Farm underlines the intention of stud owner Imad Al Sagar for Blue Diamond Stud to compete on the world stage. In its announcement the farm said: "It will act as a hub for the stud's growing North American operation, notably its increasing broodmare band."

Blue Diamond Stud has had recent North American success when its homebred Wonderful Justice , by Justify out of I'm Wonderful, won the Black Gold Stakes on the turf at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in his second start. He is currently in training with Brad Cox alongside the grade 2-placed Free Look , a daughter of Tapit   purchased for $550,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale.

Al Sagar said: "We are excited to add Stonereath Farm to the Blue Diamond Stud portfolio. With such a long history of producing such good racehorses, I am confident that it will be a valuable complement to our European division while allowing us great opportunity to diversify.

"We look forward to growing our presence in the U.S. and yielding the advantages of everything that Kentucky and its differing bloodlines has to offer."

Blue Diamond Stud chief executive officer Ted Voute, who previously played a key role in the successful launch of Clearsky Farm in Central Kentucky, added: "Imad Al Sagar has incredible foresight and energy to invest in a vein of land in Bourbon County that is a proven source of Kentucky Derby winners.

"Stonereath Farm has not been over horsed in recent times and is in pristine condition. I am excited for the future combining some of Blue Diamond's already illustrious bloodlines with this fertile land. Imad has infectious, overwhelming enthusiasm driving every one that works with him to produce Thoroughbreds to perform either at the sales or on the racetrack at the top level."

Blue Diamond is lucky enough to inherit an accomplished team of stud staff from its time under the ownership of Narola led by Walter Nathaniel Lobato and office manager Donna Callaway.