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 $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.
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)
Issues For International Sale of Goods
Kentucky commission chairman announces resignation
Drafting Effective Alternative Dispute Resolution Clauses in Equine Contracts
Chapter 11: Business Combinations: Non-Tax Considerations
The Role of State Governments in Horse Racing in the United States
Multiple Ownership Arrangements for Investing in The Horse Business
Legal Aspects of Stallion Management and Syndication
Developments in Equine Breeding Syndications
Legal and Business Issues with Cross-Hemisphere Stallion Breeding Agreements
Counseling Clients in The Section And Financing Of Business Entities
Purchase and Sale of Equine Assets Under the United Nations Convention On Contracts For The International Sale of Goods
Restrictions on the transfer of stock and stock purchase agreements
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
Audit Letter Response Committee, Member
Office of General Counsel, Former Member
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
Vanderbilt University Law School
Vanderbilt University
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.
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)
. . . extremely knowledgeable . . . very efficient in working through issues.
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.
A first-rate equine lawyer who is pragmatic and great to work with.
. . . client-focused . . .
Robert Beck, Jr. Elected Chairman of the Board of Kentucky Educational Television, Inc.
Kentucky Educational Television, Inc. (KET) has elected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Robert M. Beck, Jr. as Chairman of the Board.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® Publications
Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 97 of its lawyers are included in the 2025 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. Additionally, 12 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 30 attorneys are recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
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®.
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©. Additionally, 11 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 19 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® Publications
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 in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Additionally, 11 attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 14 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
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.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 82 lawyers are included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 45 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2020
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—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.