Stallion killings in Peru may shake the global shuttle market

The tragic and brutal killing of four stallions at Haras Barlovento last weekend could lead to even bigger losses for the thoroughbred community not only in Peru but throughout the western hemisphere.

What lies in the balance following an invasion that severely injured a night watchman and caused the deaths of stallions Cyrus Alexander, The Lieutenant, Timely Advice, and Peru's Derby Nacional winner Kung Fu Mambo is the future of a rising breeding powerhouse in Peru and the potential for economic damage to what has been a robust shuttle stallion market between North and South America.

Haras Barlovento is owned by Boris Schwartzman, a passionate and highly respected owner-breeder who had set his sights on establishing a world-class breeding operation at his farm in the Canete Province south of Peru's capital, Lima.

"Boris had a huge vision, a worldwide vision, for his broodmare band," said Kentucky-based bloodstock agent Marette Farrell, who added that Schwartzman was her first client when she went out on her own as an agent.

"Peru is a Part I country by international standards, and he was very proud of that and wanted to continue building its reputation. The standards of his farm were very high, and he took care of his people. He did all this not just for himself but for Peru."

In addition to acquiring the best pedigreed mares he could, Schwartzman brought high-quality stallions to his farm, too. He and partners recently bought graded stakes winner Cyrus Alexander, a son of Medaglia d'Oro and a half brother to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver.

He also acquired on his own Grade 3-placed winner Timely Advice from Pin Oak Stud, a son of AP Indy out of Grade 1 winner and multiple black type producer Confessional.

Another high-profile addition to the stallion roster this year was The Lieutenant, a multiple Grade 2-placed, Grade 3 winner and a half brother to 2018 American Triple Crown winner Justify.

Bloodstock agent Marette Farrell said the stud's owner Boris Schwartzman had been deeply upset by the eventsCredit: Anne M Eberhardt

The one-year lease of The Lieutenant from Sequel Stallions New York was possible because of a previous shuttle deal that Farrell helped broker with multiple Grade 2 winner Forty Tales, a son of Tale of the Cat.

"Breeding and raising horses was their passion, not their business," said Becky Thomas with Sequel Stallions. "The people who run this farm are wonderful. They did everything right and had every precaution in place."

Despite the farm being set back off the main road and surrounded by a wall, not merely fourboard fencing, a group of armed men entered the stallion barn on December 21 and shot and wounded the night watchman, tied him up, and then butchered the four stallions.

According to a statement from the farm posted on social media, the criminals were suspected of having killed the stallions for their meat. The farm also reported the intruders stole medications and a generator.

The Jockey Club of Peru published the following statement on its Facebook page: "The Jockey Club of Peru, faced with the recent vandalism and criminal acts that took place at the prestigious Haras Barlovento … stands in solidarity with the owners for this unfortunate event that saddens the entire national equestrian family."

The statement also called on local authorities to find and detain the perpetrators and "put them in the hands of justice." A similar incident occurred in this area of Peru in 2009 when a shuttle stallion named Drilling For Oil was reportedly stolen off Hamide Stable and butchered for his meat, according to Turf Diario.

Drilling For Oil's dam was a half sister to 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed. Dante Zanelli, who owns Horse International and arranged the shipping of The Lieutenant, Cyrus Alexander, and Timely Advice to Peru, said both Haras Barlovento and Hamide Stable are in a peaceful region of the country, they are also located fairly far away from other horse farms.

He said he suspects this region does not have the same "knowledge of their horses and a culture of appreciation for the horse."

"It is fair to say geographic, horse culture, and awareness of their value influences whether something like this could happen," Zanelli said. Farrell talked with Schwartzman the day after the attack. He was so heartsick by the loss that he said he could never return to the farm and would not bring in any more stallions, according to Farrell. It is unclear, she said, whether Schwartzman will remain in the breeding business at all.

Thomas also had heard Schwartzman's future in the business was shaky. "They are horribly devastated and obviously feel responsible," Thomas said. "They are such wonderful people, so the whole thing is hideous."

Besides the potential loss to Peru of Schwartzman's dedication and commitment to excellence, the tragedy has the potential to sharply curtail a thriving shuttle stallion market between the United States and South America.

Kentucky bloodstock agent Matt Bowling, who handles shuttle stallion deals primarily in Chile, said income from shuttling is now integral in assessing the potential value of any stallion prospect.

Because of its importance, Bowling said he does not believe this one incident will significantly disrupt the South American shuttle market. "I believe this was an isolated event," Bowling said. "It might affect people sending horses to Peru, but there are crazy people everywhere."

Jose DeCarmargo, who has arranged shuttle deal for farms in Argentina and Brazil since 1991, also said the tragedy appeared to be an isolated incidence in an otherwise peaceful country. "I mean, we had 15 horses found shot recently in Kentucky and then you had (Derby winner) Shergar kidnapped in 1983, so things can happen anywhere," DeCarmargo said.

"There is such a difference between the wealthiest and poorest in some places in South America that horses are taken for food, but I don't know if that was the case here.

"What could affect the shuttle market is that there will be a lot of talk about this and people will be concerned," he added. "It really comes down to trusting who you deal with."

Zanelli expects the shuttling market will be affected to some degree. "It is an isolated issue but individual farms need to take even better precautions," Zanelli said.

"An hour south of Barlovento you will find Haras La Qallana owned by Bernardo Alvarez Calderon, the breeder of Mucho Gusto. His beautiful farm is protected like a military fort for his family's and his horses' safety."

Farrell said she anticipates this loss to have a substantial impact on shuttling. "I think it will freeze the market solid," she said. "Primarily because the insurance companies are not going to want to insure these stallions."

Thomas said she wouldn't immediately dismiss ever shuttling a stallion to South America again. "But I have to think about it," she added. "Having such a thing happen one time is too much for me."

She said she is concerned most about hyped-up, sensationalised social media platforms worldwide that may incite copycat criminals and people focused only on posting the next outrageous photos or videos.

"This is not specific to Peru. It is a worldwide problem and it worries me," Thomas said.

Farrell said she hopes Schwartzman's spirit and enthusiasm for thoroughbred breeding and racing isn't broken by the weight of his loss.

While he may step back from the business for a period of time, she said the industry needs people like Schwartzman who care and are committed to providing the best for their horses and their employees.

"I'm hoping he'll regroup and do it even bigger and better, like a phoenix," she said. "He deserves to and we need him."

For more news on US racing, sales and bloodstock news visit bloodhorse.com