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29.
$23 Million Claim Over Stallion Death
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08/08/2002 |
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The accident that resulted in the death of outstanding young stallion Brave Warrior in 1998 is now the subject of a $23 million Supreme Court compensation claim.
Eureka Stud, the Queensland property where Bravce Warrior stood for two seasons before his untimely death as the result of a paddock accident, is being sued by two former part-owners of the stallion.
Neville Bell and Doug Cowell have taken the action against Eureka Stud proprietor Colin McAlpine, also a former shareholder in Brave Warrior, and his son Scott.
Brave Warrior died in April of 1998, 10 days after he suffered massive head injuries in his paddock at Eureka Stud.
Reports of the accident stated that Brave Warrior had smashed his head into the paddock gate.
Bell and Cowell are claiming that Eureka Stud and the McAlpines had breached their duty of care by failing to adequately supervise Brave Warrior in his yard; using a gate that was unsuitable in design; and failing to use a gate which was reasonably safe for use on a horse stud.
Bell owned 20 shares in Brave Warrior and Cowell eight. McAlpine held 14.
Brave Warrior was reported to have been insured for approximately $400,000 and was standing for a service fee of $5500 at the time of the accident.
The $23 million claim is based on Brave Warrior’s projected earnings as a stallion following the success of the foals he produced in his only two crops.
From his only two crops Brave Warrior has produced 58 individual winners of almost $6 million prizemoney. His winners include the multiple G1 winner Show A Heart, Dynamic Love, Scenic Warrior, Heroism, Fetes Galantes, Kiwi Warrior and Ombra Della Sera.
Bell is a member of the Queensland Turf Club committee and also shares in the ownership of top class stayer Sky Heights.
Cowell recently retired as a member of the Brisbane Turf Club committee
If Bell and Cowell succeed with their court action, the ramifications of the Australian bloodstock industry will be massive as it will push horse insurance premiums to exorbitant levels beyond the reach of many owners.
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