THE High Court case between racehorse owner Steve Parkin and Ballyhane Stud owner Joe Foley took a dark turn this week when it was alleged that Parkin had threatened Foley’s life following the breakdown of their 20-year business relationship.

Parkin, who races under the Clipper Logistics banner, sold his company in 2022. He has reduced his racing and bloodstock interests considerably in recent years, selling his only classic winner Fallen Angel, his National Hunt horses, and placing his Curragh property on the market.

This week it was reported that Amo Racing is one of a number of parties interested in acquiring Parkin’s Dullingham Park Stud in Newmarket, where Soldier’s Call and Shaquille stand. The stud has declined to comment on plans.

The court case involving Foley and Parkin centres around ownership of Sands Of Mali, a Group 1 winner who has stood at Ballyhane Stud since 2021. His first crop hit the track in 2024 and included 17 winners from 45 runners, placing him second in the European first crop sires list in prize money won.

Foley says that Sands Of Mali is owned 50-50 by Ballyhane Stud and Clipper Logistics. Foley negotiated the purchase of the horse himself out of trainer Richard Fahey’s yard for £225,000 plus VAT, he says.

Parkin says he owns 100% of the stallion which he now values at £3 million and he wants to remove the horse from Ballyhane Stud and locate it at Starfield Stud where another of his stallions, Space Traveller, is based.

Both sides lodged affidavits with the High Court in October setting out their arguments and the case returned to the Dublin court this week where further legal submissions were made.

Foley claims that in March 2024 he was threatened by Parkin in a phone call and that this threat was repeated to a third party in a Newmarket restaurant. Foley says he reported the threats to Gardaí.

In their submissions, Parkin’s legal team criticised Ballyhane Stud’s management of Sands Of Mali, alleging non-payment of covering fees, poor record-keeping, and a failure to meet industry-standard contracts. They also raised concerns over the welfare of some horses under Ballyhane’s care.

Parkin’s legal team also confirmed that their client secured a £3 million mortgage with financier J.P. Morgan against the stallion, a fact they admitted should have been disclosed in earlier affidavits.

The valuation came under scrutiny, however, with Mr Justice Cregan noting inconsistencies in earlier documents, which suggested the horse was worth between £2 million and £2.5 million.

Foley’s legal team has also questioned Parkin’s recent disposal of assets, including elite broodmares Romantic Proposal and Dramatised.

Foley’s lawyers argue that these moves reflect financial distress, but Parkin’s team denied claims of a “fire sale,” asserting that their client’s net worth remains £200 million.

The Court’s ruling on the immediate future of Sands Of Mali is expected within the next fortnight, with the outcome set to determine where the valuable stallion stands for the 2025 breeding season.