Horse Racing Forum - USA Thoroughbred Races

I just wanted to express my sadness that the oldest thoroughbred farm in Florida, Ocala Stud, has officially been sold to developers. I know it was in the works for a while, but I was still hopeful it could be saved. The most upsetting part is that Glen Hill Farm seems like they would have been interested in buying it, but they were never given the chance.

@craigb1818 (President of Glen Hill Farm)
"Disappointing night in Ocala. 400 acres will house 3,000 people, 335 room hotel, 275,000 sq feet of commercial. Used to be Ocala Stud."
"...sold to a known developer without offering GHF the property at any price, which is the most disappointing part of entire issue."

I drive past the nearby Red Oak Farm on my way between college and home. I know they've been downsizing recently. Hope they're not the next to go.

That is very unfortunate RIP Ocala Stud

Rough'n Tumble (sire of Dr. Fager) is buried there, as well as a handful of broodmares (Noodle Soup, dam of Needles; Iltis, 2nd dam of In Reality; others), but they don't have separate graves and were buried in a common area

That really sucks. Too bad about Glen Hill, what a disgrace.

Im so heartbroken! Where will the stallions stand didn't they just add a newer one? and the bodies of those great champions what of them.. I really think OBS needs to create a memorial gardens in the center field of the track.. So that the bodies of these great horses can be moved there, as well as the horses at other faciliites that are facing extinction to developer. I just want to cry.. Ocala was a huge part of my horse career.. Working as a Secretary at Hartley/De Renzo and interning there during my Summer Vacations.. to my career at Summerfield Sales.. I know development is going to happen, but come on.. And if Glen Hill was interested and was never approached or given the chance is just a kick in the teeth insult.. RIP Ocala Stud another great Florida Facility gone.

If Im not mistaken, Ocala Stud was already sold about 5 years ago to John Brunetti. They had just been given a term lease on it.

Ocala Stud still owns the Annex out on 441, and Mike O'Farrell purchased a large piece even further out than that, I believe. Right now Ocala Stud is right in the middle of development, with the High School directly across the street and development all around. Its always sad to see the older farms go, but its not like Ocala Stud hasnt got options, and Im sure have considered them long before this. This is nothing that wasnt expected.

Mayor vetoes

http://www.ocala.com/article/20150226/a ... g.comments


Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn on Thursday morning vetoed the three land use and zoning ordinances that opened the door to the development of the 401-acre residential/commercial Trinity Lane project off Southwest 27th Avenue and Southwest 42nd Street.

To overturn the mayor’s veto, the City Council needs a 4/5 vote. The project, which would be built on the Red Oak and Ocala Stud farms, was approved by a 4-1 vote of the council on Feb. 17. Councilman Jim Hilty was the dissenting vote. For the mayor’s veto to stick, one of the council members will have to reverse his or her position.

This is the second time the mayor has used his veto power to stop this project, which he feels is too intense for the area, from going forward. The council failed to overturn the first veto and developer John Brunetti came back with a revised plan, the one the council approved earlier this month.

But Guinn said the new plan amounts to the same density and intensity as the one he successfully vetoed.

“Nothing has changed, and you will have probably 65 percent of the population of Belleview on 400 acres,” Guinn said, referring to the size of the project. “It’s about 3,200 people that could potentially be there based on the build-out they are talking about. It’s just not compatible with the area.”