Four Horsemen's to be sold

Four Horsemen's Ranch near Ocala, Fla., will disperse its horses and sell its 171-acre property, the Ocala Star-Banner has reported.

Four Horsemen's 27 broodmares will sell at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's fall mixed sale in October.

The farm was established in the 1960's by a partnership headed by F. C. "Carl" Schwietert. The operation's current owners are Schwietert, his son Jeff, and another brother and sister who have little involvement in the farm. Jeff Schwietert, the managing partner, said the family has decided to disperse partly because of the current boom in real estate.

"With real estate prices and horse prices the way they are," he told the Star-Banner, "it only makes economic sense to sell now."

Four Horsemen has bred such runners as three-time Grade 1 winner and millionaire Val's Prince; Thunderello, who finished second behind Orientate in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Sprint; and Grade 1 winner Star Over the Bay.