LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Japan's Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido has received breeding-related claims from two of the four companies that insured War Emblem, a farm spokesman confirmed. The winner of the 2002 Kentucky Derby has refused to cover his book of mares since retiring to stud at Shadai.
"It's a complicated issue," said Shadai spokesman Eisuke Tokutake, speaking by phone through an interpreter. "At the moment, we do not know what will happen with War Emblem. He is still at Shadai Stallion Station at the moment. When everything is settled, if everything is settled, we will have to discuss with the insurance companies about what to do with the horse."
War Emblem's situation is unusual in that it doesn't involve physical infertility but a lack of desire to breed. The horse reportedly impregnated seven mares earlier in the season but then refused to continue.
"Policies generally read that the stallion must get a certain percentage of mares in foal," Hahn explained. "If he doesn't cover the mares, they didn't get in foal. The policy doesn't generally specify why the mares didn't get in foal."
If the insurers put War Emblem back on the market, the difference will be critical to potential buyers, because libido problems are considered easier to treat than outright infertility. That bodes well for War Emblem's immediate future, which could include a change of location and a second chance at fatherhood, unless Shadai buys him back from the insurers and tries again. If not, agents in Lexington say they're already fielding calls from farms that are considering making a bid for the horse if he returns to the United States.
In the meantime, Shadai reports that War Emblem remains at the farm and is happy and healthy.
"It's a complicated issue," said Shadai spokesman Eisuke Tokutake, speaking by phone through an interpreter. "At the moment, we do not know what will happen with War Emblem. He is still at Shadai Stallion Station at the moment. When everything is settled, if everything is settled, we will have to discuss with the insurance companies about what to do with the horse."
War Emblem's situation is unusual in that it doesn't involve physical infertility but a lack of desire to breed. The horse reportedly impregnated seven mares earlier in the season but then refused to continue.
"Policies generally read that the stallion must get a certain percentage of mares in foal," Hahn explained. "If he doesn't cover the mares, they didn't get in foal. The policy doesn't generally specify why the mares didn't get in foal."
If the insurers put War Emblem back on the market, the difference will be critical to potential buyers, because libido problems are considered easier to treat than outright infertility. That bodes well for War Emblem's immediate future, which could include a change of location and a second chance at fatherhood, unless Shadai buys him back from the insurers and tries again. If not, agents in Lexington say they're already fielding calls from farms that are considering making a bid for the horse if he returns to the United States.
In the meantime, Shadai reports that War Emblem remains at the farm and is happy and healthy.
