Ottawa, Ontario – January 24, 2003 - The Canadian-bred stallion, Popeye K, winner of the 2000 Governor General’s Cup, has been sold to Rachel Spencer of the United States.

Owners Peter Karneef and Paul and Darlene Morgan had been showing Popeye K under professional Tommy Serio in Palm Beach, Florida, when the offer was made. Spencer, who operates her own facility in Virginia and trains with Serio, intends to have Serio continue showing the horse in the first year green conformation hunter division. Serio and Popeye K have already won championship titles on the Palm Beach show circuit in Wellington, Florida.

“We had the opportunity to take him through the first part of his career as a stallion, and now it is time for him move into the second part of his career as a show horse,” says Morgan of the flashy bay gelding by Voltaire. “I hope that his new owner is able to make him a champion in the hunter ring and, in three or four years from now, I hope he has become a prolific stallion with sought after offspring.”

At the age of three, Popeye K was honoured with the coveted Governor General’s Cup, awarded at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show to the three-year-old Canadian-bred horse best suited to become a sport horse. His win in the Governor General’s Cup launched a successful breeding career and, with his offspring displaying the same athleticism, good temperament and flashy markings, Popeye K became a highly desired sire, despite his young age. An approved Canadian Warmblood stallion as well as a Canadian Sport Horse licensed stallion, Popeye K will have over 250 foals on the ground this spring.

“In some ways, it’s a loss to Canadian breeders in the immediate future as a popular stallion is now only available by frozen semen,” says Morgan. “However, it should also be encouraging to Canadian breeders. It gives credibility to all the faith that we had and to all the wonderful people that bred to him because they thought he could be a great horse. I hope their results come back in spades.”

Popeye K is the result of a breeding program built by Peter Karneef, who breeds his carefully selected mares to top European bloodlines. Karneff also owns Technofoal, a company offering frozen semen from Europe’s top stallions.

The Morgans, who operate Ashland Farm, has been responsible for managing Popeye K’s breeding and competition career. The stallion began his show career under seven-time Olympian Ian Millar.

Although Popeye K will only be available for breeding by frozen semen for the 2003 season, Morgan also stands the thoroughbred stallion, Yavari, as well as the newly acquired six-year-old Dutch stallion, Oellie R (Voltaire-Ramiro Z-Farn), who shares very similar bloodlines with Popeye K (Voltaire-Ronald-Farn).

For more information, please visit www.warmblood.com and www.technofoal.com.