Ramsey, Romans splitsville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The most dominant owner-trainer team in recent years on the Kentucky circuit has split up. Owner Ken Ramsey and trainer Dale Romans confirmed Monday that 47 horses Romans has had in training for LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The most dominant owner-trainer team in recent years on the Kentucky circuit has split up. Owner Ken Ramsey and trainer Dale Romans confirmed Monday that 47 horses Romans has had in training for Ramsey and his wife, Sarah, are being moved into different stables this week.

Neither Ramsey nor Romans would speak on the record about the reason for the split, other than it concerned finances.

The split marks the end of a highly potent owner-trainer combination that made an international impact in recent years. The Ramseys and Romans won the 2005 Dubai World Cup with Roses in May, the 2004 Eclipse Award for top turf horse with Kitten's Joy, and numerous other major races. They also won numerous owner and trainer titles, notmostably at Churchill Downs, during their five or so years together, and the Ramseys won the Eclipse for top owner in 2004.

Ramsey said he and Romans "had a lot of highs" together while conceding that mounting troubles in regard to their financial dealings ultimately led to their breakup. He said he planned to split the Romans horses among a handful of trainers, including Bobby Frankel, Ronny Werner, Steve Margolis, Mike Maker, and Charlton Baker. The most accomplished horse that Romans had been training for the Ramseys is Precious Kitten, a half-sister to Kitten's Joy. She is among the six or seven horses being sent to Frankel.

Romans said he regretted that his business relationship with the Ramseys was ending but said he was confident his public stable would still flourish.

"I'll be okay," said Romans, who still has more than 50 horses in his care for numerous other clients. "Forty-seven horses is a lot to replace, but I think we can do it. We're open for business."

Dating to the 2000 Churchill spring meet, Ken and Sarah Ramsey have won or tied for the leading owner 11 of the last 13 meets, while Romans has won or tied for leading trainer at eight of those meets.