Japanese Breeder Buys 25% of Sunday Silence

Zenya Yoshida, one of Japan’s leading breeders, has bought a 25% interest in Sunday Silence, the 1989 Kentucky Derby winner and horse of the year, for $2.25 million.

Arthur Hancock and his minority partners, trainer Charlie Whittingham and Dr. Ernest Gaillard, reportedly turned down a $10-million offer from Yoshida for the entire horse, which would have resulted in Sunday Silence’s being sent to Japan when his stud career begins next year.

Sunday Silence will now stand at Hancock’s Stone Farm in Paris, Ky.

An incident at Louie’s, a Paris diner where Hancock frequently eats breakfast, might have triggered an emotional response that quashed the $10-million deal.

Earlier this week, Hancock entered Louie’s and Ruby, a waitress there, asked if he had seen the sign in town. Hancock hadn’t seen the sign, which says, “Paris Salutes Sunday Silence, the Horse of the Year.”

Told about it, by Ruby, Hancock said: “Hell, I can’t sell that horse.”

Later this week, after the smaller deal with Yoshida was made, Hancock was back at Louie’s.

“Ruby, I may a need a job washing dishes, but at least that horse stays in America,” he said.

Sunday Silence, who hasn’t run since he won the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Gulfstream Park last November, has returned to the track at Santa Anita and is expected to race during the Hollywood Park meeting opening April 25.