Champion Stormy Liberal sold, transferred to Florida trainer over Peter Miller's objections

Stormy Liberal, the champion turf male of 2018 and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in 2017 and 2018, has left trainer Peter Miller’s stable for David Scanlon’s farm in Ocala, Fla., after an apparent dispute arose between Miller and co-owner David Bernsen regarding the 7-year-old gelding’s future.

Rockingham Ranch, led by Gary Hartunian, announced in a message on Twitter on Tuesday that Bernsen has purchased Rockingham Ranch’s interest in Stormy Liberal.

Miller issued a statement on Tuesday stating he recommended Stormy Liberal be retired and inquired about sending the eight-time stakes winner to the Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement home.

“I am sorry to announce that Stormy Liberal will be leaving our barn to continue racing under another trainer,” Miller said in the statement. “Both my veterinarian and I believe the horse should be retired. In fact, we had already started inquiring for him to retire to Old Friends so he could live out his days in comfort and good care.

“It is my professional opinion that he has given and accomplished enough. While the owners certainly have every right to make these choices, and I respect that, I would like the record to show that I was not in favor of this decision.

“Stormy has been very special to our team, and to me. We will miss him and hope for the best.”

In its statement on Twitter, Rockingham Ranch wrote, “Our partner Mr. Bernsen had a difference of opinion with Mr. Miller and has chosen to buy Rockingham Ranch out of Stormy Liberal and send him to the care of David Scanlon in Ocala where he will be thoroughly evaluated.”

Bernsen said in an email that Stormy Liberal will undergo “a complete physical evaluation and then I will decide” on the gelding’s future. “Whatever the decision, it will be based on the consultation and advice of the vets,” he wrote.

Miller said in a text message on Tuesday that Stormy Liberal has left his stable, but declined further comment. Scanlon, who operates a training and sales prep business, did not immediately respond to text and phone messages seeking comment on Tuesday morning.

Stormy Liberal has won 12 of 37 starts and earned $2,212,580 and is best known for his consecutive wins in the BC Turf Sprint at Del Mar in 2017 and Churchill Downs in 2018. Stormy Liberal is winless in seven starts this year, including a third in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai in March, a $1 million race.

In his most recent start, Stormy Liberal was eighth of 12 in the BC Turf Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 2. Stormy Liberal had two timed workouts at the San Luis Rey Downs training center in California, where Miller is based, but has not had a workout since Nov. 23.

Stormy Liberal was claimed for $40,000 by Rockingham Ranch in October 2016. Bernsen’s name first appeared as a co-owner in December 2017 when Stormy Liberal finished last of 11 in the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.

Since being claimed, Stormy Liberal has earned $2,043,710.