Ryan Conley
Ryan Conley writes for the Star-Banner in Ocala, Fla. He is a past correspondent for The Blood-Horse
Articles by Ryan Conley
Equine Lobbyist: Horse Industry Must Be Diligent in D.C.
May 01, 2009
There's a new president in town, and a Congress even more dominated by Democrats, but one of the nation's top lobbyists for equine interests said April 30 that the horse industry must be ever-diligent about protecting and advancing its positions Read More
Sale of Interest in Curlin Rejected
December 01, 2008
A Kentucky state judge has denied the private bid by majority owner Stonestreet Stables for the minority interest in reigning Horse of the Year Curlin, ordering the pertinent parties to work out their differences on their own.
Franklin Read More
Curlin Majority Owner Bids to Buy Out Remaining Share
November 14, 2008
Jess Jackson is involved in a private bid to buy out the 20% minority interest he doesn't control in reigning Horse of the Year Curlin, but actions in a Kentucky court Nov. 13 on the surface probably won't help speed a decision on the champion Read More
Santa Anita Footing Lawsuit Dismissal Denied
October 30, 2008
The federal lawsuit against Cushion Track and affiliates over the former synthetic racing surface at Santa Anita Park is geared to go forward after a judge recently denied most of the defendants' request for dismissal.
U.S. District Judge Read More
Curlin Bids will Go Forward
October 17, 2008
The court-appointed receiver managing the minority ownership in Horse of the Year Curlin said the sealed-bid process established Oct. 15 to possibly sell the 20% interest in the champion colt will go forward, despite a Read More
Motions Aims to Halt Curlin Sale
October 16, 2008
Although Keeneland has announced it has been retained to market the 20% minority interest in reigning Horse of the Year Curlin, a pending motion in a Kentucky court is asking for the current sale process to be halted.
Bid Process Ordered for Interest in Horse of the Year Curlin
September 26, 2008
A Kentucky state judge signed an order Sept. 25 that could possibly pave the way for the minority interest in defending Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Curlin to be sold by sealed bid.
The order, which was signed by Franklin County Special Judg Read More
Storm Effects Minimal at Churchill Downs
September 17, 2008
Power outages to the barn area and the Kentucky Derby Museum are about the only effects Churchill Downs felt from the Sept. 14 windstorm created by the remnants of Hurricane Ike.
Churchill vice president of racing communications John Asher Read More
Judge Denies Motion to Sell Curlin
July 11, 2008
A Kentucky judge denied a motion July 10 requesting a forced sale of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, a decision that was applauded by majority owner Stonestreet Stables, which clearly stated it has no desire to sell its part of the champion Read More
Opinions Differ on Curlin Sale Motion
July 10, 2008
A Kentucky judge is being asked to order the sale of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, but attorneys representing the ownerships interests of the champion colt question the merit of the request.
Plaintiffs in a high-profile civil lawsuit involvin Read More
Track Security Increased after Incidents in Jones' Barn
July 02, 2008
Two horses in the care of Larry Jones at Delaware Park were mysteriously found turned out from their stalls on consecutive recent nights, leading to the firing of an employee of the trainer and an investigation by track officials.
Pal, the Read More
Suit Filed Against Santa Anita Footing Supplier
May 29, 2008
The operator of Santa Anita Park has filed a federal lawsuit against the original supplier of its troubled synthetic racing surface, claiming it has suffered at least $8.4 million in damages from improper installation and repair.
The Los Read More
Lawsuit on 'Ruffian' Movie Dismissed
May 24, 2008
A lawsuit over the movie "Ruffian" has been dismissed in a Georgia federal court, vindicating defendants The Walt Disney Co. and its television networks ABC and ESPN.
The civil action, which was Read More
New Florida Horse Sale Rules Published
May 12, 2008
The most recent version of rules governing horse sales in Florida were published for public comment May 9. The regulations are being touted as a successful compromise by some of those involved in the process.
The rules, which were developed Read More
Equine Law Conference: Review of Pending Horse Bills
May 02, 2008
American Horse Council president James J. Hickey Jr. briefed attorneys May 1 on legislative actions in Congress during the 23rd National Conference on Equine Law, but he also handicapped the immediate passage chances of a couple of them as Read More
Equine Law Conference: Estate Planning for Horsemen
May 01, 2008
An attorney specializing in estate planning says now is a good time for horsemen and others to establish tax-friendly programs that pass along assets to descendants--but warned that time was of the essence in organizing such efforts. Read More
Congressman Criticizes Racehorse Drug Policy
February 27, 2008
U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield of Kentucky opened a Feb. 27 congressional hearing on the use of steroids in sports by claiming leaders of horse racing have repeatedly failed on promises to self-regulate medication issues.
Whitfield, a Republican Read More
Florida Sets Limit on Horse Auction Rules
January 25, 2008
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services claims it doesn't have the power to regulate certain aspects of horse sales in the state, but is prepared to publish proposed rules it says are intended to prevent unfair or deceptive Read More
Keeneland Thoroughbred Sale Closes with Record $340 Million Gross
November 19, 2007
Keeneland's record-setting November breeding stock sale came to a close Nov. 19, setting a new standard for gross receipts of $340,877,200.
In all, 3,381 horses were sold during the 15-day sale, an increase of 7.4% over the 14-day sale of Read More
Public Forum Set for New Florida Horse-Sale Law
October 26, 2007
A public forum to discuss a new state law concerning the sale of horses in Florida will be held Oct. 29 in Tallahassee.
The forum, which will be held at 2 p.m. at the Eyster Auditorium of the Connor Building, 3125 Read More
Horse Sales Task Force Recommendations Draw Praise, Criticism
October 16, 2007
Preliminary recommendations aimed at self-regulation for the equine auction industry were unveiled by the Sales Integrity Task Force during a public forum held at the Keeneland sale Read More
Public Forum Set for Sales Integrity Task Force Recommendations
October 04, 2007
A public forum on preliminary recommendations by the Sales Integrity Task Force to the Kentucky legislature on auction transparency issues will be held at the Keeneland sale pavilion Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. EDT.
The 36-member task force, which Read More
Horse Sales Transparency at Heart of New Florida Law
July 06, 2007
A bill that empowers Florida's state government to set rules regarding transparency issues in the sale of horses was recently signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist.
The law gives the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Read More
Revived Sales Integrity Task Force Holds Organizational Meeting
May 08, 2007
Meeting for the first time since its announced resurrection almost three months ago, the revived Sales Integrity Task Force left its May 7 gathering at Keeneland with proclaimed vows of providing quick and satisfying results.
Re-formed i Read More
Racing Regulators Pass Model Rule on Steroids
April 27, 2007
Regulators attending the Association of Racing Commissioners International annual conference April 26 approved a number of model rules, including the prohibition in horses of nearly all anabolic steroid use.
The proposed anabolic steroid Read More
