Attorneys

Senior Member

Robert M. Beck Jr.

Lexington, KY

859-226-2336

Mr. Beck, a transactional lawyer, has represented both domestic and foreign clients in the purchase, sale or syndication of bloodstock valued at more than $900 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 also assists manufacturing and service businesses and financial institutions with general corporate law, commercial lending and mergers and acquisitions advice and transactions.

Capabilities

Practice Areas

Business Services

Corporate Finance & Securities Offerings

Corporate General Services

Equine Practice

Gaming

Mergers & Acquisitions

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Op/Ed: Robert M. Beck, Jr.

Thoroughbred Daily News, August 10, 2022

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

Issues For International Sale of Goods

UK Equine Law Seminar, (presentation and paper), Lexington, Kentucky, May 4, 2017 with Walter S. Robertson

Kentucky commission chairman announces resignation

by Matt Hegarty, Daily Racing Form, December 1, 2015

Drafting Effective Alternative Dispute Resolution Clauses in Equine Contracts

University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar, 2015

Drafting to avoid owner disputes in equine contracts

26th Annual National Conference on Equine Law, Embassy Suites, Lexington, Ky., May 4, 2011

Chapter 11: Business Combinations: Non-Tax Considerations

co-author, Kentucky Corporation Law, 2d ed. (2010), University of Kentucky CLE Publications

The Role of State Governments in Horse Racing in the United States

First Congress of Racing in the Americas, Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 2008

Multiple Ownership Arrangements for Investing in The Horse Business

Co-Author, University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar, 2003

Legal Aspects of Stallion Management and Syndication

University of Kentucky CLE publication, 2000

Developments in Equine Breeding Syndications

University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar, 1999

Legal and Business Issues with Cross-Hemisphere Stallion Breeding Agreements

University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar, 1995

Counseling Clients in The Section And Financing Of Business Entities

Business Formations and Terminations In Kentucky, University of Kentucky, 1993

Purchase and Sale of Equine Assets Under the United Nations Convention On Contracts For The International Sale of Goods

Author, University of Kentucky Equine Law Seminar, 1989

Restrictions on the transfer of stock and stock purchase agreements

Kentucky Business Organizations, University of Kentucky, 1989

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

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

U.S. Supreme Court

Firm Leadership

Audit Letter Response Committee, Member

Office of General Counsel, Former Member

Memberships

American Bar Association

Fayette County Bar Association

,

Secretary, 1982-83; Board of Governors, 1983-84

Kentucky Bar Association

American College of Equine Attorneys

Community Involvement

Kentucky Educational Television, Inc. (KET), Chairman of the Board (2024-present); Secretary (2023-24)

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

Education

J.D.,

1975

Vanderbilt University Law School

B.A., Economics,

1971

Vanderbilt University

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.

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Best Lawyers in America®, Banking & Finance Law, Corporate Law and Mergers & Acquisitions Law (2006-25)

Best Lawyers in America®, Lexington Area Lawyer of the Year for Banking & Finance Law (2021, 2025)

Best Lawyers in America®, Lexington Area Lawyer of the Year for Mergers & Acquisitions Law (2012, 2015, 2022)

Best Lawyers in America®, Lexington Area Lawyer of the Year for Corporate Law (2010)

Chambers USA, “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2013, 2014)

Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2008-20)

Testimonials

. . . extremely knowledgeable . . . very efficient in working through issues.

Best Lawyers

He is a lawyer who does not stand in the way of a deal, but works to facilitate a deal. I strongly recommend Bob Beck.

Best Lawyers

A first-rate equine lawyer who is pragmatic and great to work with.

Chambers USA

. . . client-focused . . .

Chambers USA

Contact Resources

Robert M. Beck Jr.'s PDF Robert M. Beck Jr.'s Contact VCF

Robert Beck's LinkedIn Profile

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Press Releases

Robert Beck, Jr. Elected Chairman of the Board of Kentucky Educational Television, Inc.

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Kentucky Educational Television, Inc. (KET) has elected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Robert M. Beck, Jr. as Chairman of the Board. KET broadcasts Public Broadcasting System (PBS) programming in addition to a wide variety of local and educational programming. The governing body for KET is the Kentucky Authority for...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 30, 2024

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® Publications

Honorees Include 12 as “Lawyer of the Year,” 98 in Best Lawyers in America® and 31 in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®....
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 16, 2024

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence according to the publication....
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 24, 2023

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers® Publications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence according to the publication....
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 18, 2022

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® Publications

Honorees Include 11 as “Lawyer of the Year,” 93 in Best Lawyers in America and 14 in “Ones to Watch” LOUISVILLE, Ky. —Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 93 lawyers are included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Since it was first published...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

September 01, 2021

Press Releases

Bob Beck, Jr. Appointed to Kentucky Authority for Educational Television

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Governor Andy Beshear has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Bob Beck, Jr. as a member of the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television. Beck replaces Mary Broecker, whose term has expired. He will serve a four-year term. The governing body for Kentucky Educational Television (KET) is the Kentucky Authority...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

July 13, 2021

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers® Publications

Honorees Include 14 as “Lawyer of the Year,” 82 in Best Lawyers in America and 21 in “Ones to Watch” LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 82 lawyers are included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Since it was first published in...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 20, 2020

Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 45 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2020

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Dec. 6, 2019)—The 2020 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 42 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 32 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 13 attorneys to the Rising Stars list. Many Stites & Harbison...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

December 12, 2019

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