Frank Stronach

Austro-Canadian billionaire and prominent racing owner/breeder Frank Stronach will face a sexual assault trial later this week in Toronto that will be decided solely by a judge, according to a report from the BBC. The article states that 93-year-old Stronach, one of Canada's richest men, has been charged in relation to more than a dozen historical sexual assault allegations that span nearly a half-century. Stronach has pleaded not guilty to the 12 Toronto charges, and has denied all of the allegations against him. Prosecutors have split his case into two...

At first glance, Jay Hovdey's latest literary output, "The Oak Tree Story: A History of Racing's Most Generous Benefactor," might seem an exercise in nostalgia only, recounting as it does the origins, lifespan and ignominious death of an organization that last put on a show nearly fifteen years ago. The Oak Tree Racing Association came about as an industry-led non-profit to operate a race-meet during the then barren autumnal months when there was no major racing in Southern California, only to grow into a philanthropic powerhouse and gamechanger for the...

   The following continues a look at how long-term economic developments shape today's Thoroughbred sport. To read part I, click here. Defining Development #5--Real Estate Realities Has there ever been a time when rising real estate values have not heavily influenced the physical locations of Thoroughbred breeding farms and racetracks? This economic maxim has been especially dominant in the U.S. in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. As for breeding farms, anyone who has driven over the past four decades along Harrodsburg Road south of New Circle Road  in...

Florida's polarizing decoupling legislation, which would remove a statutory requirement that Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs run a minimum number of live Thoroughbred races in order to operate the respective casino and card room at each venue, recently had its first reading in the House of Representatives and remains pending at the committee level in the Senate. The bill has the backing and was launched at the impetus of Gulfstream's corporate owner, The Stronach Group (TSG). But in a solidarity twist that supersedes his family's business ties, 92-year-old Frank...

Pegasus Day at Gulfstream is one of my most enjoyable days at the races. The melding of great entertainment, world-class horses, and a great vibe shows racing at its best. It is expensive to put on and showcases our sport in the highest light. It is also the most ironic considering the recent announcement regarding the closing of Gulfstream and seeking development absent horse racing. I was perplexed to listen to Belinda Stronach on Pegasus Day speak of the non-compatibility of racing in an urban environment, despite all of the...

The bombshell announcement issued last week by The Stronach Group (TSG) that Gulfstream Park could close within three years, if not sooner, sent shockwaves through the industry. To close Gulfstream would affect a lot more than Florida racing. It would have serious ramifications for virtually every faction in the sport. The Stronach Group is looking to decouple its casino and racing licenses and has threatened to close the track in three years if the horsemen's group does not back legislation allowing decoupling. Their hope is that they can use the...

Horse of the Year Ghostzapper, a perennial leading sire, will relocate to Frank Stronach's Adena Springs Farm in Aurora, Ontario Canada for what is most likely his final year at stud, Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa announced Monday. "I want to thank Frank Stronach for the privilege of standing Ghostzapper at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa," said John Sikura. "It has been our honor to stand this outstanding sire and exceptional breed-shaping stallion. His record at stud will influence the breed for generations. At this point in his career, Ghostzapper...

Eclipse Award-winning owner/breeder and founder of The Stronach Group Frank Stronach was arrested Friday and charged with mulitple criminal offenses according to a press release by the Peel Regional Police in Ontario, Canada. The 91-year-old Stronach has, according to the release, been charged with committing five crimes including rape, indecent assault on a female, sexual assault and forcible confinement and has been released on conditions to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date. The release also notes that the assaults "spanned from the 1980's...

Derby winner North Light (Ire) (Danehill) was euthanized on Mar. 20 due to complications from laminitis, The Stronach Group announced on Thursday. The 23-year-old stallion had been pensioned since 2020 and will be laid to rest at Adena South in Ocala Florida. Bred and raced by Ballymacoll Stud and trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the son of G1 Prix du Cadran heroine Sought Out (Ire) (Rainbow Quest) won one of two starts at two, and added the G2 Dante S. and G1 Derby in succession during the spring of 2004....

An official Call for Offers and expressions of interest campaign will open Mar. 28 for the 2,300-acre Adena Springs Farm in Lexington, which was listed for sale last summer for $55 million. The campaign will conclude May 6, with final bids due by May 15. Icon Global is handling the campaign and will issue final sale process and campaign details by Mar. 28. The sealed bidding and offer process guidelines to be released will include a buyer's ability to submit offers via Stalking Horse Bids, Sealed Bids, or Conventional Private...

Adena Springs Farm in central Kentucky, comprised of 2,300 acres, 20 barns and over 250 stalls, has been listed at $55 million. Previously owned by Frank Stronach, the land was home to stallions such as Ghostzapper and Awesome Again for years. Icon Global and Justice Real Estate are handling the sale.

LEXINGTON, KY - The Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale continued Thursday with a third session dominated by mares from the Godolphin draft. Dan Hall, acting on behalf of Frank Stronach's Adena Springs, made the day's highest bid when going to $480,000 to acquire the unraced Crowning Jewel (Into Mischief). Sheikh Mohammed's operation, on track to earn the Eclipse Award as leading breeder of 2021, was responsible for three of the session's top four prices. In all, 259 head sold Thursday for a gross of $5,471,700. The session average...