The damage of Hurricane Katrina on south Louisiana Thoroughbred farms wasn’t as bad as originally feared, but it will take time to repair and replace fencing and barns, as well as remove debris and tree limbs.

“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” said Val Murrell, general manager of Clear Creek Stud near Folsom, La., located about 50 miles north of New Orleans. “It’s not going to be a picnic going home, but nobody got hurt and right now that’s all that matters.”

Murrell, in Grand Prairie, Texas, for the Fasig-Tipton Texas yearling sale, said it had been difficult trying to reach family and farm employees. “We’ve had trouble trying to reach someone at the farm, but we finally got through today (Tuesday),” he said. “From what I could find out in a few brief conversations, a roof was blown off a yearling barn, but luckily no horses got hurt. Most of the horses that were originally housed in that barn are here at this sale. I’m sure when we get home there will be more to do to clean it all up.”

Like many farms and homes near New Orleans, Clear Creek is currently without electricity. “The horses are little uncomfortable in the heat without their fans and a little scared but they are all safe,” Murrell said