Keeneland sues English buyer

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Keeneland has filed suit against English businessman Bobby Killoran, saying he defaulted on payment for two yearlings he bought for $1.4 million at Keeneland's July yearling sale.

Fasig-Tipton also is pursuing payment from Killoran for eight yearlings he bought for $1,945,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July sale, but the company has not filed suit, according to chief operating officer Boyd Browning.

The pair of Keeneland yearlings, a Gone West-Market Booster colt and a Kingmambo-Grapevine colt, were sent through the ring again at this week's Goffs yearling sales in Ireland. There, the Kingmambo colt brought $487,200, and the Gone West colt brought $174,000. At Keeneland, the colts sold for $700,000 each.

"We will pursue the difference in what the horses brought and what we're owed," said Keeneland spokesman Jim Williams said.

Browning said that the eight Fasig-Tipton yearlings, including a $625,000 Dehere-Afleet's Gold colt who topped the Fasig-Tipton July sale-are in Florida. He said that several have been sold privately.

Killoran, a businessman based in England, made his purchases through bloodstock agent Paul Collins, who said this summer that his client was interested both in racing and in pinhooking. Collins described Killoran as "a businessman with diverse interests."