Fair Winter Farm, the Buckinghamshire base of the Barnett family's bloodstock for the last 36 years, has come under new ownership following the exchange of contracts between Robert Barnett and John Dance.
The stud, which was managed for Barnett by Will Edmeades, has been the source of many top-class racehorses in recent decades, plenty of whom descend from the family's outstanding homebred mare Time Charter (GB) (Saritamer), winner of the Oaks and the G1 Champion S. in 1982, followed in later seasons by victories in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. and G1 Coronation Cup. Time Charter retired to Fair Winter in 1985 and died there 20 years later, having produced the G2 Jockey Club S. winners Zinaad (GB) (Shirley Heights {GB}) and Time Allowed (GB) (Sadler's Wells) among her seven winning offspring.
Robert Barnett intends to continue as an owner-breeder and will board his stock at Newsells Park Stud.
“We have had huge satisfaction over the years from owning the stud and breeding so much successful bloodstock, including Classic and Group winners,” he said. “Ease of management has become as issue, as I have just turned 73, and it is time to think of what is best in the next generation. We will be continuing with our bloodlines and will be using a boarding-out model in the future. We are delighted that the stud and the loyal staff are continuing under John's ownership.”
John Dance, who already owns Salcey Forest Stud in Northamptonshire and has had a successful season on the track in 2017, most notably through his G1 Fillies' Mile winner Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {FR}), added, “It really is an honour to be taking over the ownership of Fair Winter Farm, which has had such historical success and hopefully will continue to do so in future years. We look forward to working with the existing staff at Fair Winter and involving them in its future, which one day will include being home to Group 1 winner and Classic prospect Laurens.
“The farm will predominantly be used to home and breed bloodstock belonging to my wife and I on a commercial basis, while also being used as a boarding facility for external owners in association with Salcey Forest Stud.”
Ten mares and nine weanlings owned by the Barnetts will take up residence at Newsells Park Stud, while four yearling fillies all descending from Time Charter, and by Frankel (GB), Kingman (GB), Sea The Stars (Ire) and Distorted Humor respectively, have been retained to race.
Will Edmeades Bloodstock Returns To Newmarket
Will Edmeades, the Barnett family's manager for the last 17 years, will still manage their breeding and racing stock and will return with his wife Sandie to their former base of Newmarket to continue with his agency work under the banner of Will Edmeades Bloodstock.
He said, “It has been a privilege overseeing Fair Winter Farm and I am delighted that the association with the Barnett family will continue. At the same time, it is an exciting opportunity to dispel the perception that I am first and foremost just a stud manager, having also managed Shadwell and Brook Stud in the past. Will Edmeades Bloodstock has, over the years, purchased an Epsom Derby winner, a champion sprinter and a two champion 2-year-olds, and we will now have more time to concentrate on our agency work.”
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