Robert M. Beck, Jr.

Mr. Beck, a transactional lawyer, has represented both domestic and foreign clients in the purchase, sale or syndication of bloodstock valued at more than $700 million. Mr. Beck also regularly provides corporate and financing legal counsel to equine industry participants, including banks, horse farms, trainers, and organizers of multiple ownership arrangements for racing and breeding syndicates. In addition to his transaction practice, Mr. Beck is a mediator and arbitrator concentrating on transactional matters, equine and commercial projects and disputes.

Mr. Beck is also a member of the American Arbitration Association mediation and arbitration panel.Mr. Beck also assists manufacturing and service businesses and financial institutions with general corporate law, commercial lending and mergers and acquisitions advice and transactions.

Recent Assignments

• Represented the owner of Triple Crown winner AMERICAN PHAROAH in the sale of breeding rights to the horse
• On behalf of the buyer, seller or syndicator documented and negotiated arrangements for breeding services of the following thoroughbred stallions: TO HONOR AND SERVE, TAPIZAR, HAT TRICK, ESKENDEREYA, THE FACTOR, PURIM, WILBURN, MACCLEAN'S MUSIC, ASTROLOGY, DOMINUS, CALEB'S POSSE, ICE BOX, BRILLIANT SPEED, QUALITY ROAD, WILL'S WAY, STUDENT COUNCIL, ZANJERO, CLOSING ARGUMENT, SIGHTSEEING, ZENSATIONAL AND PIONEER OFTHE NILE
• Structured, negotiated and documented the establishment of a fund organized to invest in thoroughbred horses and assisted with raising capital from a private equity fund through a Regulation D offering to accredited investors only
• Represented the issuer in Regulation D offering to accredited investors only for establishment of a thoroughbred racing venture and a thoroughbred pinhooking venture
• Represented a Central Kentucky Thoroughbred breeding farm in the acquisition of an interest in and syndication of RACHEL ALEXANDRA, the 2009 Kentucky Oaks and Preakness champion
• Represented a Central Kentucky Thoroughbred breeding farm in the acquisition of an interest in and syndication of BIG BROWN, the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner
• Represented a group of purchasers in 2007 in the acquisition of the thoroughbred colt CURLIN prior to his wins in the Preakness and the Breeders Cup Classic which resulted in the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year
• Represented Central Kentucky Thoroughbred breeding farm in the acquisition of an interest in and syndication of the Thoroughbred colt SMARTY JONES who won the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and finished second in the 2004 Belmont Stakes, falling just short of becoming the first Triple Crown Winner in 28 years
• Represented a group of investors in the sale of all of the stock in one of the country's largest distributors of golf cart parts and accessories to a private equity firm
• Represented a South American company in establishing a new horse farm in Argentina, marketing a joint venture with U.S. investors and importing two U.S. stallions for Southern Hemisphere breeding duties
• Represented an Israeli entity in purchasing the consumer products business of a U.S. private equity fund
• Acted as national acquisition counsel for the subsidiary of a Fortune 500 company involved in a rollup of telecommunications service and equipment providers
• Represented management in a leveraged buyout of a manufacturing subsidiary of a Fortune 500 company
• Represented management in a leveraged buyout of all of the shares in a nationally prominent horse transportation company
• Represented the shareholders of a U.S. engineering firm in the sale of all shares to a publicly held Canadian engineering firm
• Represented a private investor in acquiring a controlling interest in a legal referral business and a genetic specific healthcare product provider

More Than Stites & Harbison

Bob served as chair of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission from April 2008 through December 2016, appointed by Governor Steve Beshear. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Thoroughbred Charities of America, and the Board of Directors of Charitable Impact Group, Inc. His civic and community involvement has also included memberships on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, the Lexington Philharmonic, the Fayette County Bar Association and the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council, which he previously served as President. He is a founder, member of the Board of Directors and former president of the American College of Equine Attorneys. He also served on the Governor's Task Force on the Future of Racing in Kentucky. He has been the Planning Committee chair for the University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar for five years and has served as a member of the committee for over 20 years. Bob is a member of the Board of Directors of BB&T in Central Kentucky and previously served as a member of the Board of Advisors of Vanderbilt University Law School. Mr. Beck is a licensed Thoroughbred racehorse owner and enjoys Thoroughbred racing, golf and travel with his wife and two daughters.

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

• Working with An Attorney Who Specializes in Equine Law Can Make a Difference, by Charlie McCarthy, BloodHorse magazine, September 2021
• Chapter: Business Combinations: Non-Tax Considerations, Kentucky Corporation Law, 3d ed. (2018), with Walter S. Robertson

Community Involvement

• Kentucky Authority for Educational Television, Member (2021-25)
• Vanderbilt University Law School, Former Member of the Board of Advisors
• American College of Equine Attorneys, Founder, Board of Directors and Former President
• BB&T in Central Kentucky, Board of Directors
• University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar, Planning Committee
• Thoroughbred Charities of America, Board of Directors
• Charitable Impact Group, Inc., Board of Directors