Denali Stud in deal with New York farm

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Denali Stud in Kentucky has formed what Denali owner Craig Bandoroff called “a strategic alliance” with Vivien Malloy’s Edition Farm in New York, the two nurseries announced Wednesday.

Bandoroff said the alliance will give Denali clients access to a premier facility in a market where investment and demand for good care are increasing, but stall space on high-quality farms is limited. He also said the arrangement would allow clients to leave mares in New York while shipping their weanlings to Kentucky to be raised. Under its partnership with Edition Farm, Denali would consign any commercially bred foals to auctions.

The move comes at a time when New York’s profile as a Thoroughbred breeding and racing state is on the rise, thanks to the opening of the Resorts World casino at Aqueduct racetrack. Before the casino’s October debut, the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund boosted breeder awards by 50 percent and the New York Racing Association announced it would raise the current Aqueduct meet’s purses by 36 percent. The state’s Thoroughbred industry expects similar rises at Belmont and Saratoga this year.

Kentucky legislators have so far resisted expanded gaming in Kentucky, despite pressure from many in the state’s Thoroughbred industry. That was a factor in Denali’s alliance with Edition, Bandoroff said.

“It’s a shame that a major Kentucky farm has to make this kind of move, but you can lay the blame at Kentucky’s legislators’ feet,” Bandoroff said, adding, “We’ve lost mares to New York and expect to lose more mares to New York. Commerce follows money.”