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DUAL Completes Acquisition of David Ashby Underwriting

DUAL, the specialist underwriting arm of Howden Group Holdings, has completed the acquisition of David Ashby Underwriting Limited (“DAU”), a MGA specialising in bloodstock and high value sport horse insurance. The latter had earlier been formed in 2020 following David Ashby's purchase of Amlin's bloodstock and livestock book and provided cover in Thoroughbred bloodstock, commercial breeding, rear and racing, and high value sports horses.

David Howden, CEO, Howden, said: “Joining with David and his expert team deepens our connection to the equestrian world, and makes us a true differentiator in this exciting market. DUAL now provides world-class expertise in all the major equine markets, and we will continue to leverage our expertise to provide more choice and a fresh alternative for clients.”

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Laoban Co-Owner Sues Mortality Insurers Over Alleged ‘Wrongful Denial’

A co-owner of the deceased stallion Laoban (Uncle Mo) is suing a collective of insurance providers in an alleged wrongful denial of coverage case for failing to pay out on mortality policies in the aftermath of the 8-year-old's sudden death 10 months ago.

The civil complaint was filed Mar. 22 in Kentucky's Fayette Circuit Court. Paulick Report first broke the story.

According to the court filing, Cypress Creek Equine, LLC, wants the defendants–North American Specialty Insurance Company, XL Specialty Insurance Company and Underwriters at Lloyd's, London and Lloyd's Kentucky, Inc.–to pay an undisclosed sum that includes mortality coverage, compensatory damages, court costs and attorney fees.

According to the lawsuit, “On May 24, 2021, the healthy stallion Laoban, partially owned by Cypress, died unexpectedly in Fayette County, Kentucky, after being given vitamin and mineral supplements.”I

Laoban, whose only win from nine starts came in the 2016 GII Jim Dandy S. at Saratoga, retired after that season with earnings of $526,250 and stood at Sequel Stallions in New York. As TDN's Sid Fernando recently reported, Laoban “initially stood for $7,500, but he was a hit with his first 2-year-olds–ending up second on the 2020 first-crop list behind Uncle Mo's Nyquist–and was moved to WinStar in Kentucky for the 2021 season at a $25,000 fee.”

The sire of 10 black-type winners, Laoban's first crop included Grade l winner Simply Ravishing and Grade II winner and multiple Grade l-placed Keepmeinmind.

Laoban is also the sire of Un Ojo, who upset the GII Rebel S. last month at 75-1 odds. That one-eyed gelding is currently listed as an “on the bubble” horse in the most recent TDN Top 12 rankings for the GI Kentucky Derby, but he is third on the official qualifying points list. Cypress Creek Equine owns Un Ojo.

“At the time of the death, Cypress was insured for the death by mortality insurance policies issued and/or adjusted by the Insurers,” the filing stated.

“In a letter dated August 4, 2021, the Insurers wrongfully denied Cypress mortality coverage and therefore an actual controversy exists pursuant to [Kentucky state law],” the filing stated.

“The denial was alternatively based on provision(s) in the policies which are ambiguous and/or must be construed to afford coverage to Cypress pursuant to its reasonable expectations of coverage,” the filing stated.

The defendants could not be reached for comment prior to deadline for this story. They have 21 days from the filing of the suit to respond in court.

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California Workers’ Comp Program Launching Mandatory Exercise Rider Certification Exam

Exercise riders in California will need to pass a certification test by March 31 in order to remain eligible for the industry's Post Time workers' compensation program, reports Dan Ross in the Thoroughbred Daily News. Trainers with Post Time insurance will only be able to employ certified exercise riders after that date.

The exam is based on the British National Racing College's jockey fitness test, and consists of seven exercises encompassing upper body, lower body, and cardiovascular exercises, according to TDN. Post Time will give exercise riders a 30-day membership to a 24-Hour Fitness gym to train for the exam, if they so choose.

“Our goal is not to reduce exercise riders, it's to do with reducing the injuries that are a part of their occupation,” Michael Lyon, Post Time's program administrator, told the TDN. “It's our first blush at it, so, there's going to be hiccups and bumps in the road, but we'll handle those as they come. We just want to make the work exercise riders do safer for them.”

Post Time has three funding sources: a stall-per-day fee of $5.10, a per-start fee of $162, and 0.5 percent of money placed on exotic wagers.

The group has seen a 30 percent reduction in claims since May of 2020, due to the implementation of a “Director of Safety” position, which is responsible for establishing and regulating uniform safety standards across California facilities. However, Lyon said that exercise riders account for 40 percent of claims and yet 70 percent of costs, with one policy-limit claim in each of the last three years.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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Jockeys’ Guild Partners With Colonial Downs

The Jockeys' Guild and Colonial Downs Group have entered into a long-term industry partnership agreement. Under the terms of the multi-year deal, Colonial Downs will contribute to the Guild to help subsidize health insurance, life insurance and temporary disability benefits for members who regularly ride at Colonial Downs, as well as benefits for all jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild and ride in the United States.

“The safety of both jockeys and equine athletes is a priority at Colonial Downs,” said Jill Byrne, Vice-President of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs Racetrack. “Our riders continually compliment the integrity of our surfaces and our proven safety record. This partnership acknowledges and further solidifies our long-term commitment to the horse racing industry.”

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