Brian Spearman, who has served as chairman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners since 2015, has decided to step away from his day-to-day role with the company at the end of this year, marking a decade of unprecedented success for the Eclipse stable and overall business during Spearman's tenure.
A native of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Spearman grew up with Saratoga Race Course as his playground. While working as an executive with PepsiCo, he took the plunge into Thoroughbred ownership around 2010 through Cot Campbell's Dogwood Stable. When Campbell retired and tapped Eclipse on the shoulder to take over Dogwood's clientele and to preserve the Dogwood legacy, Spearman made the transition from Dogwood to Eclipse and soon became an equity partner in the company and its chairman.
"Brian's business acumen, combined with his sheer passion for the Thoroughbred horse racing industry, has played a vital role in Eclipse's rise within the public partnership space and our considerable success on the racetrack," said Eclipse founder and president Aron Wellman. "Eclipse was still very much in our infant stages when Brian got involved, and he provided us with a boost on many levels, which propelled our business and our stable immeasurably.
"We're grateful for the contribution Brian has made to Eclipse for the past decade. We've had an incredible run," Wellman added. "And, we're pleased that he will continue to be active within Eclipse partnerships while also expanding his own racing, breeding, and stallion share portfolio. Brian may no longer be serving as our chairman, but he has every intention of maintaining his involvement within several aspects of the industry, and the industry needs guys like Brian Spearman, so that is wonderful on all fronts."
Spearman added: "It has been an incredible 10 years partnering with the Eclipse team and our wonderful partners, and I am deeply grateful to have witnessed and contributed to the growth and success of this organization. Thoroughbred racing has been in my blood since childhood, so to spend the past decade supporting the industry and doing what I love has truly been a gift. While I'm stepping away from my role as chairman, I look forward to cheering on Aron, the Eclipse team, and our partners in the years to come, and to staying involved in the sport we all love."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
