Dogwood, Eclipse in new venture

Cot Campbell's Dogwood Stable syndicate and Aron Wellman and Lee Midkiff's California-based Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners have formed a joint venture. Under the arrangement, South Carolina-based Dogwood will be able to offer its members shares in Eclipse runners and establish a California presence, while Eclipse will gain access to Dogwood's training grounds in Aiken, S.C. The venture also will streamline both groups' financial operations under a single chief financial officer, current Dogwood treasurer William Victor.

"Earlier I announced my semi-retirement and a cutback in our operations," said Campbell, "and then we heard some interesting propositions from a number of farms and competitors. Among them was Aron Wellman. We have talked over the winter and have now hashed out this logical arrangement."

Campbell said Dogwood will continue to offer "traditional four-share yearling and 2-year-old offerings but can now have immediate access to participation in Eclipse's partnerships formed with the purpose of campaigning established racehorses."