Thursday, April 29, 2010


Belmont Stakes Needs Government Loan to Stay in Business; Bluegrass Country on the Skids; Horse Farms for Sale

Bluegrass country is on the skids. Stud fees are down as much as 90%, gambling revenue has plunged, and the horse racing industry switched its stance from fighting casino gambling to embracing it.

The New York Times tells the story in Gamble Sours for Many Kentucky Horse Breeders http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/sport ... ng.html?hp

The for-sale signs on horse farms are as common as the bluegrass and the limestone fences here, and breeders have grown accustomed to sending horses through the auction ring and feeling fortunate when they fetch half of their asking price — or anything at all.

“The rails are quiet,â€