Lanzman sues IEAH over I Want Revenge

David Lanzman, the breeder and original owner of the top 3-year-old colt I Want Revenge, on Thursday filed a lawsuit in Fayette County, Ky., Circuit Court alleging breach of contract against IEAH Stables, which purchased 50 percent interest in I Want Revenge from Lanzman prior to his victory in the Wood Memorial a little more than two months ago.

I Want Revenge has not raced since the Wood Memorial on April 4. He was scratched the morning of the May 2 Kentucky Derby, in which he was the morning-line favorite. It is uncertain whether he will ever race again.

The lawsuit contends that IEAH violated the contract by subsequently selling more than 10 percent of I Want Revenge without notifying Lanzman prior to the sale, and that IEAH has yet to provide documents of those sales.

In the Derby Day program at Churchill Downs, I Want Revenge was listed as being owned by Lanzman, IEAH, and several others, including Michael Dubb and Charles Winner.

The lawsuit says that IEAH paid $3.175 million for half of I Want Revenge, including, in essence, leasing a 25 percent interest in the filly Stardom Bound to Lanzman through this year's Breeders' Cup in November. In addition, the lawsuit says that Lanzman would receive a $1 million bonus if I Want Revenge were to win the Wood Memorial, which he did, and another $1 million bonus if he were to win the Derby.

Lanzman, reached at home in California on Thursday, did not want to comment further. "The lawsuit speaks for itself," he said.

Michael Iavarone, the co-president of IEAH, on Thursday from his New York office said, "I haven't seen any lawsuit whatsoever."

Andre Regard, a Lexington, Ky.-based attorney for IEAH, said he had yet to see the lawsuit, but called the dispute "a fairly minor administrative issue."

"This is a difference of opinion on what needs to be provided or not be provided," Regard said.