Issam Michael Fares
His Excellency Mr. Issam M. Fares
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His Excellency Mr. Issam M. Fares was born in Bayno, Akkar, North Lebanon in 1937. After graduating from the Tripoli College concentrating on business, he worked in the Arabian Gulf and rose rapidly in the realm of investment and international business. He founded dozens of major corporations, and cultivated business and political contacts with leaders in Lebanon, the Arab East, Europe, the US, Canada, and Latin America.
The great needs of Lebanon after its war led Mr. Fares to concentrate his efforts on the democratization and reconstruction of Lebanon, on improving Lebanon’s relations with the international community, and on working with all concerned for a just and stable peace in the region. In his opinion a just peace is the best guarantee for a future Lebanon that is free, pluralistic, and democratic.
Mr. Fares has become a prominent Lebanese statesman with great influence on the political process, nationally and regionally. In this capacity, he supports all those who in Lebanon or outside Lebanon could contribute to the welfare of his country.
In Lebanon he lends his influence to the Government, to the administration, to syndicates, to universities, to social organizations, to hospitals, to municipalities, to urban and rural NGO’s, and to cultural centers.
Meeting with Former president
George Bush |
As member of Parliament and as Deputy Prime Minister he has mobilized his world-wide network of relationships to draft modern laws and to pursue governmental policies leading to Lebanon’s financial stability, and economic progress.
His role as statesman and philanthropist has been recognized by nations that have granted him their highest decorations, by universities that conferred on him the honor of Doctorate Honoris, and by dozens of national, foreign, and international organizations by presenting him with their medals and awards.
In addition to his many public functions and world-wide philanthropic activities, Mr. Fares continues to serve on boards of international organizations, on boards of major business corporations, and on boards of universities and institutions of higher learning. To all his activities he brings a wealth of experience and a passion to help organizations succeed and excel.
Meeting with Pope John Paul |
Racing Operations
Mr. Fares Owns the 760-acre Fares Farms near Lexington, Ky. (located behind Keeneland) and Haras de Manneville near Banneville La Campagne in Sannerville, France. The Kentucky farm, managed by Shannon White along with a staff of over 40, is a full-service Thoroughbred nursery offering breeding and foaling, lay-ups, breaking and training.
Notable Horses:
- Lady's Secret
Mr. Fares purchased 1986 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner and Horse of the Year Lady's Secret in 1989 for $3.8 million from the Keeneland November breeding stock sale while in foal to Alydar.
- Miss Alleged
Mr. Fares campaigned Miss Alleged, winner of the 1991 Breeders' Cup Turf and champion turf female that year. After her retirement from racing, Miss Alleged was boarded at the Kentucky farm until 2001 when she was moved to Haras de Manneville. Her 1995 foal by Danzig was the top-priced colt at the Keeneland July yearling sale, bought for $950,000 by Gainesway Farm.
- More Stakes Winners
Mr. Fares has bred numerous stakes winners, including two-time Breeders' Cup Mile winner Da Hoss, Shaanxi, and Zaffera and raced stakes winners Highest Honor, Le l'Argent, Cadillac Women, Western Larla, Chimes Band, Minister Wife, Ken de Saron, and Cap Beino.
- Sherriff's Deputy
Fares Farm still owns Sherriff's Deputy, the dam of two-time Horse of the Year & North America's all-time leading money earner Curlin.
- Turkish Tryst
The dam of 2007 Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun, is boarded at the farm by owner Elizabeth Moran.
Issam's son Nijad, a resident of Houston, now manages the family's racing business.
Learn More about Issam Michael Fares
Issam M. Fares - official websites