Summer Bird to Japan

TDN MAGAZINE, The International Difference: Part III of A Painful Truth: "Welfare in Europe means to train the horse without any chemicals and make him race if he can face the challenge,” says France Galop's Dr. Roland Devolz. “In your country, welfare means to be allowed to use as many drugs as possible to ensure the horse will support training and race." Whose version is right? Part 3 of A Painful Truth examines North America's singular stance on medication. Download part three by clicking here.

Summer Bird to Japan

Posted: 4:37 PM ET

The 2009 champion sophomore Summer Bird (Birdstone--Hong Kong Squall, by Summer Squall) has been purchased by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association and will continue his stud career in Japan. Summer Bird had been standing at WinStar Farm since beginning his stud career in 2010 and his first foals are yearlings of 2013.

"While we think Summer Bird has a tremendous chance to be a successful stallion, we were approached by Japanese interests with a strong opportunity that the shareholders felt they could not pass up, and ultimately voted to do," said Elliott Walden, President and CEO at WinStar. "We worked the deal out so that WinStar has the option of buying back Summer Bird at the end of his stallion career, and we'll hold money in escrow to ship him back to the United States at that time so that he can enjoy the proper retirement."

Summer Bird won the 2009 GI Belmont S., GI Travers S. and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational.

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