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THE internationally renowned Newsells Park Stud, home to stallions Nathaniel and Without Parole and co-breeder of the 2019 Arc winner Waldgeist, has been bought by tech entrepreneur and businessman Graham Smith-Bernal from Jacobs Holding AG.
The deal, which also includes the stud’s bloodstock, was brokered by Windsor Clive International.
Smith-Bernal, 63, a leading figure in legal technology, revolutionised the operation of law courts, tribunals and arbitrations around the world through the introduction by his company, Opus 2 International, of paperless trials a decade ago.
During that time he has become an enthusiastic and passionate racehorse owner and breeder and has been a client of Newsells Park for the last six years.
The 1,200 acre operation was originally bought by the late Klaus J. Jacobs in 2000. Since then, the stud has developed into a leading commercial nursery, breeding and rearing numerous Group 1 winners as well as classic winners Legatissimo, Masked Marvel and the 2019 Arc winner, Waldgeist.
Graham Smith-Bernal said: “Newsells Park Stud dates back almost a century and is part of the fabric of British and International horse racing. As an existing client, I have had the pleasure of witnessing at first hand the meticulous professionalism, attention to detail and service provided by Julian Dollar and his team, both in preparing horses for racing and yearlings for the sales ring.
"I consider it a huge honour and a privilege to have acquired Newsells Park and look forward to building on the legacy of Klaus J. Jacobs and the previous owners, to ensure that the stud remains at the pinnacle of breeding and racing.”
Leading trainer William Haggas, who trains a number of horses for Smith-Bernal, said: “I have known and trained for Graham for some years. His enthusiasm for this business is unrelenting and he has proved it by his purchase of Newsells Park Stud.
It is fabulous to see an Englishman take on the mantle of such an iconic stud and I wish Newsells continued success.”
Nathalie Albin-Jacobs, Newsells Park Stud chair until the sale, said: “Newsells was a passion of my late father’s. He would have taken great pleasure and pride in the stud’s many successes and especially Waldgeist’s win in the Arc in 2019 which would have been the culmination of his ambitions as a breeder.
“The time has come now for my family to focus on our other businesses and we know that, with Graham, the stud will find a passionate and successful custodian and owner of Newsells Park for a new successful journey in both in maintaining and building further on its many achievements.”
Julian Dollar, general manager of Newsells Park Stud since 2006, added: “The team and I are very grateful for the vision and investment made by the Jacobs’ family to date, which has seen the stud grow to be one of Europe’s foremost commercial stud farms.
"We now really look forward to working for Graham and making the most of this excellent opportunity to further develop Newsells Park Stud as a leader in its field worldwide.
"We will continue not only breeding, raising and selling exceptional racehorses, but also offering domestic and international clients professional boarding services, sales preparation and top-class stallions.”
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