English outfit buys Kentucky farm

Irish horseman Dermot O'Rourke, who purchased the famed Plantation Stud near Newmarket, England, in 2005 and now stands Irish classic winner Araafa there, has extended his reach to Kentucky.

Plantation Stud, owned by O'Rourke and his wife, Perle, announced this week that it has purchased the 220-acre Silver Springs Stud on Brentsville Road near Paris, Ky. The property was founded in 1983 by Irish-born hotelier John Costelloe, now deceased, and his wife, Moya, and once was the home to Elusive Quality and his dam, Touch of Greatness.

Plantation's announcement did not include details regarding the O'Rourkes' plan for Silver Springs. But Plantation Stud's chief executive officer, Kevin Buckley, told the Racing Post that the couple intends to build their stallion roster and could ship some horses to the States.

"We will have 22 yearlings this year to allocate to our various trainers, and we may decide to have some runners in America next year," Buckley said.