Ward Lawsuit Against Ramsey Settled

Trainer Wesley Ward's lawsuit against owner/breeder Ken Ramsey is settled, and a trial set to start on Feb. 19 will not take place.

Following a late afternoon email inquiry Feb. 9 from BloodHorse, Ramsey attorney Craig Robertson replied, "Case is settled. Settlement is confidential." Ward attorney Grahmn Morgan did not respond to a similar inquiry.

Lawsuits between private parties may be lawfully settled on confidential terms. It is common for such settlements to include sanctions for parties who breach confidentiality.

About three years in the making, the litigation simmered and at times boiled over with discovery disputes and multiple hearings before Judge Hunter Daugherty in Jessamine Circuit Court in Nicholasville, Ky., before it was finally and suddenly resolved. The court's online docket indicates a Feb. 9 "agreed order releasing escrowed funds" was entered; text of the order was not posted. A pre-trial hearing set for Feb. 8 was deemed "passed." A docket entry showing the trial date was removed.

Daugherty told attorneys during a Jan. 3 hearing the case came down to whether Ward breached a contract with Ramsey. Although numerous other defense theories pleaded by Ramsey were never formally dismissed by Daugherty, according to the court record the judge said in open court on Jan. 3 he would dismiss all of them.

Ward's complaint sought $974,790.40 as of March 15, 2021, pre- and post-judgment interest, charges for continuing boarding, care, maintenance, and training of Ramsey's horses, and other relief.