Jackson in settlement talks

Attorneys for Jess Jackson and for Emmanuel de Seroux's bloodstock agency, Narvick International, are in settlement discussions over a lawsuit Jackson filed in September alleging that Narvick defrauded him.

Narvick had had until Friday to file a counter-claim against Jackson and appeared poised to do so, but attorneys for Jackson filed a stipulation Friday extending Narvick's counter-claim deadline to March 20. The stipulation was filed in San Diego County Court.

"Jackson has requested that Narvick postpone the filing of its cross-complaint while settlement negotiations are pending," according to the stipulation.

Jackson filed suit in San Diego against Narvick, bloodstock agents de Seroux and Brad Martin, and trainer Bruce Headley on Sept. 15. The suit alleged that the three had inflated the values of horses purchased on his behalf and obtained secret commissions in a number of transactions, including the purchase of Maggy Hawk, dam of the 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner, Afleet Alex.

De Seroux declined comment on settlement negotiations or Jackson's request for an extension to the counter-claim deadline.

Attorney Richard Getty, a member of Jackson's legal team, confirmed that discussions were under way.

"The settlement discussions between the de Seroux/Narvick interests and the plaintiffs have been ongoing and should culminate within the next week to two weeks," Getty said.