Insurer sues over late Indygo Shiner’s policy

A Lloyds of London underwriter of an insurance policy on the recently deceased shuttle stallion Indygo Shiner has filed suit against Summer Wind Equine, claiming that the $1 million policy should not be paid out because of a breach of agreement. The story was first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The suit, filed last week in the U.S. District Court in Lexington, Ky., regards a 25 percent ownership interest in the stallion that was insured for $1 million in October 2012 by Summer Wind Farm owners Jane and Frank Lyon, who bred and co-owned Indygo Shiner during his racing career. According to the Herald-Leader’s report, the underwriter claimed that one of the conditions of the policy stated that the horse was to remain in the U.S. or Canada.

Indygo Shiner, a son of A.P. Indy, was euthanized on Aug. 28 at age 15 due to a ruptured stomach as he was about to begin the Southern Hemisphere breeding season at Haras La Quebrada in Buenos Aries, Argentina. The Summer Wind connections filed for payment on the policy following his death, which led to the objection by the insurance underwriter.

A Grade 3 winner during his racing career, Indygo Shiner is represented by eight crops of racing age. He stood in Argentina beginning in 2003 and was the country’s leading sire in 2009. Among his leading runners are Argentine champion Tecla Shiner; Miss Match, a Grade/Group 1 winner in Argentina and the U.S.; Indy Point, who was a multiple Group 1 winner in South America and then became a Grade 2 winner in the U.S.; and My Indy, a group stakes winner in Argentina and the U.A.E.

Indygo Shiner began shuttling to the U.S. in 2008, standing at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Lexington. He stood the 2013 Northern Hemisphere season for $8,500.