*Originally posted on covilar.com on 12/9/2024*
- Josep Bassaganya-Riera of Covilar LLC Acquires 50% Ownership of Five Star General in Partnership with Kenny Alhadeff of Elttaes Stables
- Stallion to Stand at Covilar’s Owl Hollow Farm in Floyd, Virginia for 2025 Breeding Season
Floyd, Virginia — December 9, 2024 — Covilar LLC (“Covilar”) is pleased to announce acquisition of 50% ownership in Five Star General through a strategic partnership with existing owner Kenny Alhadeff. Five Star General, whose nickname is “Ike,” after U.S. President and five-star general Dwight D. Eisenhower, will stand at Covilar’s Owl Hollow Farm in 2025, offering breeders in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region unique access to Kentucky-quality, high-profile genetics at a competitive price. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Covilar’s mission to establish itself as the premier breeding and racing facility in Virginia.
Since acquiring Owl Hollow Farm in 2021, Covilar has worked to transform the sprawling property into a modern, world-class breeding facility. With facility upgrades complete, Covilar’s founder Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera sought a stallion of exceptional caliber to launch Owl Hollow Farm as a top-tier Thoroughbred breeding and racing destination. Five Star General’s pedigree, performance and versatility aligns with Dr. Bassaganya-Riera’s long-term vision for Owl Hollow Farm.
“Five Star General is the ideal stallion to begin expanding Covilar and Owl Hollow Farm,” said Dr. Bassaganya-Riera. “Thanks to our partnership with Kenny Alhadeff, we’re thrilled to offer breeders a top-class stallion right here in Virginia. Our unique breeding program has already produced two crops of foals from Snapy Halo (ARG), sired by top southern hemisphere producer Southern Halo. Our breeding programs are designed to maximize performance, speed and stamina of the offspring. We believe that the addition of ‘Ike’ as our leading stallion is a natural choice and excellent complement to our emerging Thoroughbred breeding program.”
“We’ve been thrilled with the success of Five Star General, one of the most special horses our family has had the privilege of owning. We’re looking forward to partnering with Covilar to launch ‘Ike’ as a sire and to bring this accomplished stallion prospect to breeders in the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Alhadeff. “The partnership is exceptionally beneficial to our family, to Covilar and Owl Hollow Farm’s plans, and to breeders in the Virginia and mid-Atlantic region. I am elated to be partnering with Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera, and his determination to improve the breed is thrilling. What better place than Virginia?”
“Five Star General is what all breeders should be looking for: speed, soundness, exceptional looks and a stallions’ pedigree. We have great confidence in his ability to pass on those sought-after traits,” said international bloodstock agent Chad Schumer.
Alhadeff said, “I’ve been in Thoroughbred horse racing my entire life. My grandfather, Joe Gottstein, founded Longacres Racetrack in the Seattle area in 1933. In 1935, he created the Longacres mile with a purse of $10,000, the richest race at the distance at the time. Winning back-to-back Longacres miles with Five Star General is a highlight of my entire career as an owner. I’ve had the privilege of racing over 100 Thoroughbreds, and Five Star General’s continued display of endurance, desire and courage has been breathtaking. His improbable stretch run in the last race before retirement is best described by legendary jockey, Joe Bravo, who said ‘The horse willed it. He’s a warrior.’ When a Thoroughbred runs from ages 2 through 8—winning every year— it tells you something very important about their durability and desire.”
Five Star General ran five years in a row in the historic Longacres Mile, placing all five years and winning the last two years to finish out his racing campaign.
2025 Breeding Season Details and Incentives
Craig Whitlow announced that Five Star General will stand for an introductory fee of $6,000 for the 2025 breeding season. He added, “In the very near future, we will release a very lucrative incentive program specifically designed to benefit breeders in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.” Covilar’s planned incentives will support broodmare owners with proven racing or stakes potential, ensuring access to Five Star General’s exceptional racing bloodlines.
About Five Star General and His Exceptional Bloodlines
Five Star General (Distorted Humor x Party of Interest) is the product of a superior lineage. His sire, Distorted Humor, has produced numerous champions known for their versatility and racing prowess. His dam, Party of Interest, hails from the prestigious Bernardini, a Champion 3-year-old colt and classic winner whose influence extends deeply into the Thoroughbred racing world.
Party of Interest’s strong pedigree includes a lineage tied to notable names like Seeking the Gold and Deputy Minister, known for producing durable and competitive racehorses. Five Star General’s siblings have also showcased talent, further supporting the genetic strength he brings to the breeding program. Party of Interest’s most recent foals have been sired by multiple G1 winning stallions including Charlaton, Gunite and Jack Christopher.
Five Star General has amassed career earnings of $902,202, highlighted by victories in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings and back-to-back wins in the Longacres Mile, demonstrating his resilience and competitive spirit. In 2024 alone, he earned $224,773 and secured a 33%-win rate, with an impressive 72% top-three finish rate across all races. His career-best equibase speed figure of 114, competitive spirit and adaptability underscore his quality as both a racehorse and a top-quality stallion prospect.
Key Details:
Sire: Distorted Humor
Dam: Party of Interest
Career Earnings: $902,202
2024 Earnings: $224,773
Wins: 39 starts with 13 wins, 6 second-place finishes and 9 third-place finishes, including wins at the Central Park Stakes at Aqueduct and Grade 3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings, and two Longacres Mile wins.
Top-3 finish rate across all races: 72%
Win Rate: 33%
Equibase Speed Figure: 114
2025 Stud Fee: $6,000
Booking Information
Breeders interested in booking with Five Star General or learning more about Covilar’s’ 2025 incentives are encouraged to contact Covilar LLC at craig@covilar.com or visit www.covilar.com.
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About Covilar LLC
Located in Floyd, Virginia, Covilar was founded by Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera with the goal of creating a premier Thoroughbred breeding and racing program in the Mid-Atlantic region. Recently renovated and meticulously designed, Covilar’s Owl Hollow Farm provides a world-class environment for top breeding quality Thoroughbreds. Five Star General is a Kentucky-bred Thoroughbred stallion that exemplifies the vision of Covilar, demonstrating our commitment to offering elite genetics to establish a progeny of race winners and outstanding service to Thoroughbred breeders.
