IEAH Stables (International Equine Acquisitions Holding) operated a thoroughbred horse racing stable in the United States that included Big Brown, the winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness . The company was based in Garden City, New York. It has been inactive since 2012.[1]
IEAH was formed in 2003 by Michael Iavarone, who had long been interested in the sport and also saw business opportunities in the industry. Iavarone was the co-Chief Executive Officer, along with Richard Schiavo who oversaw administrative matters.[2] The business operated as a hedge fund, with horses as the major asset.[3] Major funding was provided by James Tagliaferri, who ran an asset-management company, TAG Virgin Islands.[4] Iavrone was responsible for all bloodstock affairs, including the establishment of an "investment committee" that assisted in acquiring the stable's "bloodstock portfolio."[2] In 2008, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens joined as a bloodstock agent and spokesman.[5] IEAH used a handful of trainers, including Rick Dutrow, Dominick Shettino, Donald Chatlos Jr. and John Terranova II.
In 2009, IEAH opened the Ruffian Equine Medical Center, a state of the art equine medical facility located near Belmont Park. The center closed down in 2011 due to financial difficulties, but in 2014 was re-opened by Cornell University under the name Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists.[6] In 2013, IEAH sold its last shares in Big Brown.[7]
In 2015, Tagliaferri was sentenced to six years in prison for securities and investment adviser fraud for accepting kickbacks for investments made in companies including IEAH.[8]
IEAH Stables was a finalist for the Eclipse Award for outstanding owner in 2008.