Article by: Graham Green
Published in Racing Post on 30th July 2013
THE shared ownership of two of the jump racing's biggest stars is all that is standing in the way of the total collapse of one of horse racings most successful partnerships.
Despite enjoying a string of big-race winners in tandem, big-spending Jared Sullivan and Chris Giles are set to go their separate ways as owners, although they will continue to race Zarkandar and Silviniaco Conti together.
The high-profile split is believed to be the result of growing tensions between the two wealthy businessmen, who have found their relationship becoming increasingly strained.
Eight or nine of their horses are being sent to Doncaster Bloodstock Sales next week to dissolve the partnership. They include talented two-mile chaser Sanctuaire and Sky Watch, both trained by Paul Nicholls, along with For Non Stop and Urbain De Sivola, who are with Nick Williams and have each won three times.
The remaining horses in which Sullivan and Giles both have interested, but not going through the DBS ring, are also to be sold, following which the pair's only joint involvement will be confined to Zarkandar and Silviniaco Conti, who are staying with Nicholls.
The majority of Sullivan's horses run in the name of his recruitment company Potensis, while Giles, executive chairman of Giles Insurance, has similarly pumped a fortune into the game.
The rift in the partnership was signalled yesterday by Sullivan, who referred the Racing Post to his lawyer when asked about the horses going to DBS.
Later after consulting Sullivan, solicitor Rory Mac Neice said: "Potensis has decided to reduce the number of horses it owns in partnership with Mr Giles and will in future concentrate on sole ownership of racehorses.
"Potensis has decided to maintain its ownership of the two highest-profile horses, Zarkandar and Silviniaco Conti, in partnership with Mr Giles, but does not anticipate having any other horses in partnership with him in the future."
Neither Nicholls not Williams was willing to comment. Giles is on holiday in the US, and Racing Post emails forwarded through his secretary had last night failed to elicit a response.
Zarkandar, the 2011 Triumph Hurdle winner who signed off with victory in the Aintree Hurdle last season, is 8-1 with the sponsor for the 2014 Ladbrokes World Hurdle, while Silviniaco Conti is the same price with the sponsor for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.
