Fasig Tipton: New owner, new look

But new and exciting can become threadbare with time. This theory applies to businesses as well as buildings. When Synergy Investments Ltd., a Dubai-based company, purchased Fasig-Tipton in 2008, initial fears crept into many hearts, fears about a great American institution becoming "foreign-owned." How could "they" understand how racing felt about Finney--the man or his organization?

With time, patience and understanding, those fears have been washed away like the winter snows, warmed by the knowledge that the new owner will not change the essence of the place - only adjust things as needed to bring the company and its properties fully into the 21st Century. A new century need not demolish all memories of the elegance of days gone by: with art and grace, panache can be preserved while meeting the needs of a contemporary society and industry.

Enter Susan Zehnder, project manager and partner in the Louisville firm, Idea Source. Susan is an energetic, thoughtful, insightful designer and businesswoman who knew precisely what Fasig-Tipton needed in order to achieve the goals set forth by the Synergy group.  Working with Bonacio Construction as Contractor, Zehnder is bringing to life the energy that Synergy Investments Ltd. desire to inject into the revered property.

Synergy Investments Ltd. has profound respect for their clients, and desired to make the Saratoga facility a world-class offering, worthy of the clientele and horses who will grace the stage and the grounds. In order to draw these world-class business people and horses, a physical plant that is beautiful, yet comfortable; tastefully-developed and in keeping with the tone of the industry, had to be born on a site that is both beloved and zealously guarded by neighbors and industry professionals. A lofty goal, perhaps impossible for any but those who embrace and share the dream.

Leave the bones, leave the spirit--but give new jazz, renewed grace and charm. Twenty-first Century class, to entice and pleasure the clients and Saratoga neighbors alike.

The goal of the renovations, she explained, is to very tastefully develop the property and be a good neighbor. The renovations currently in the works are Phase I: Saratogians have been curious about what's transpiring, and rightfully so. Phase I looks like a massive overhaul, and in many ways, it is. Real slate roofs are being installed, with real copper accents. Vermont timber is and will be used throughout. A world-class walking ring is being built--a new walking ring, the finest in the world.  The perfect way to showcase the magnificent conformation of Thoroughbreds, the most-perfect of horses.

Zehnder went on that the company aims to create a total experience for the buyer: the mission will be accomplished when the buyer walks away knowing that they had a great business exchange and had a wonderful experience in an environment that's both energizing and soothing.

Phase I: The design work began immediately after Labor Day 2008. The construction work didn't begin until after Christmas 2008--so the project has only been at the hammer-and-nails phase for three months. Phase I will be completed before the race meet begins in late July. Phase I will include:

• A new Sales Pavilion in the back
• A world-class restaurant
• New pavings and new plants
• All new landscaping
• New fencing, with granite stone
  and black iron with white wood
  fencing at the entrances
• The Sales Office will be redone
• A new terrace overlooking the
  sales property, accented by a full
  waterwall fountain

(We are very eager to see this gorgeous new waterwall fountain: it will be a distinguishing mark of the property, soothing both visually and aurally.)

Phase II of the project, which will commence after the 2009 race meet ends, will include a new Sales Office in the back for the new Sales Arena.

The plans that Fasig-Tipton, under the mindful leadership of Synergy Investments Ltd., are making will not insult, injure or in any other way diminish the memory or spirit of the buildings or the property. To the contrary:  the creation of something new, vibrant, exciting and worthy of this city--this Mecca for the Thoroughbred industry--is in the process of becoming. We're not just watching our neighbors constructing new buildings and fixing-up old ones: we're in on the proverbial ground floor, quiet observers as art becomes reality, and function becomes form. 

As Fasig-Tipton blooms into something even more beautiful, the sport, the neighborhood and our very city will grow and bloom to accommodate the clients, horses and industry professionals who will make the pavilion and the grounds their home every August. As blossoms Fasig-Tipton--so flourishes Saratoga. And as the City, itself, prospers--so, too, does every resident of this, our world-class city set high on a hill.