Liberty Racing interview on Fantastic Moon's career as a stallion

The following is a reproduction of Sport-Welt's interview with the founding couple of Liberty Racing, published on November 09, 2024.

When did you know that Fantastic Moon would become a stallion in Germany?

Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten: "After Fantastic Moon's fantastic victory in the Grosse Preis von Baden, it was a turbulent few weeks for Nadine and me and all the shareholders of Liberty Racing 2021. We kept receiving offers to buy and requests to line him up as a stallion. We looked at many options and at times it was like being on a rollercoaster. But at heart, we - and the large number of shareholders - wanted a career at stud for Fantastic Moon. In the end, everything was decided on very short notice."

We heard you had major purchase offers from Asia?

Nadine Siepmann: Yes, there have been repeated offers, most recently just 10 days ago. The money was certainly in favor of a sale and, to be honest, we as a community of owners also started to waver at one point, especially as our partnership agreement had to be changed for a stallion career. But in the end, it was our hearts and the great offer from Ebbesloh Stud that tipped the scales. I am very happy."

According to the contract, Liberty Racing has to sell every horse at the end of his 4-year old year, how is it now that Fantastic Moon can stay?

LWB: "We discussed the request to amend the contract at our shareholders' meeting and in the end everyone agreed that the Liberty Racing 2021 syndicate would not end on December 31, 2024. Liberty Racing 2021 GbR remains the sole owner of Fantastic Moon. In total we are 22 shareholders, for some another dream comes true, to own their own stallion. It is possible that 1 to 3 shares of Fantastic Moon will come onto the market before the end of the year. A very small number of shareholders may want to get out at the end of his racing career, but we have also regulated this contractually by mutual agreement at the shareholders' meeting.

Is there a widespread opinion that breeding a stallion in Germany is problematic?

Nadine Siepmann: "Of course, the decreasing number of broodmares and the decreasing number of racehorses is anything but promising. But activities like those of Liberty Racing help more than complaining. An outstanding horse like Fantastic Moon, who is a 2, 3 and 4-year-old champion and has such great abilities, also helps thoroughbred breeding. I am convinced of that. We can only stand up for our passion together with our hearts, and that's what Auenquelle Stud with Torquato Tasso and other breeders have done as well."

LWB: "I already managed the Adlerflug syndicate back then together with Gebhard Apelt. The stallion market in Germany is not easy, but putting Fantastic Moon up here was not a decision for money, we wanted to keep this outstanding horse for thoroughbred breeding in Germany. Which derby winner has shown such consistent performances at the highest level as a 2-, 3- and 4-year-old in the last 15 years?"

Liberty Racing continues to grow. Currently 8 racing syndicates, Liberty Breeding and now a stallion...

LWB: "We love what we do and live our vision and mission statement, which we created in 2020. Liberty Racing is very much alive. The Liberty Racing community now has more than 200 members, who directly or indirectly own shares or are very closely connected to the shareholders. A stallion will connect the community even further.

We have our mares from Liberty Breeding in Ebbesloh and now a stallion at this fantastic stud farm. In addition to the friendly relationship with the von Schubert family, we now have an even closer relationship with Ebbesloh Stud, a great home for our horses. I strongly believe that individual shareholders will also buy mares individually or collectively to support Fantastic Moon. We are also very happy to take on new people interested in Liberty Breeding, and our mares Salve le Meer and Abadan are also a very good match for Fantastic Moon.

What do you think speaks in favor of Fantastic Moon as a stallion?

Nadine Siepmann: "His character, his toughness, his speed and his racing performance. I've been visiting racecourses since I was born and have spent a lot of time investigating stallions. Fantastic Moon is something special. He was an unbeaten Group winner as a two-year-old, the first German horse to be successful internationally in the Prix Niel as a three-year-old throughout the season, even after his magnificent Derby win, and a Group 1 winner again as a four-year-old with his sensational victory in the Grosse Preis von Baden. Never injured, always in good spirits and above all always ready to perform. Winner over 1,400, 1,600, 2,000 and 2,400 metres - he also carries the blood of Sea The Moon and Sea The Stars to Germany as a great chance for all breeders.

Why Ebbesloh Stud in the end?

LWB: "I have been friends with Paul von Schubert for almost 35 years and we have close ties with the von Schubert family. My Oaks winner Muskoka and my Group winner Kalifornia Queen grew up there. Our Derby co-favorite New England also grew up in Ebbesloh. The stud is great, it offers the best soil, great infrastructure and is strategically well located. In the end, this was also a decision from the heart."