Stonewall Farm Ocala is offering horsemen a chance to become part of the ownership group for two of its stallions, Strong Contender and It’s No Joke.

Strong Contender, a son of Maria’s Mon, earned Grade 2 victories in the Super Derby and Dwyer Stakes in 2006 and finished his career with $618,000 in earnings. It’s No Joke, a son of Distorted Humor, won the Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) and Ack Ack Handicap (G3) as a 4-year-old in 2006 and finished with $685,612 in winnings.

A stud fee for Strong Contender hasn’t been announced, though he stood for $7,500 this year at Stonewall’s Kentucky farm. It’s No Joke stood for $2,500 in Florida this year.

For an undisclosed sum, buyers can own a share in the two stallions, entitling them to breed two mares to each of them per season for life.

“Stonewall has always owned 100 percent of its stallions, but with the move down to Florida this year, we’re interested in bringing in some partnerships,” said Stonewall’s Michelle Hemingway. “It’s a combined purchase, so by purchasing shares in the one, you’re purchasing shares in the other. We have high hopes that by doing this, it’ll open Stonewall more to the public and form partnerships that should last and grow within the industry in Florida.”

Both stallions sent their first crops of 2-year-olds to the track this year, and It’s No Joke got his first winner July 3 when Playing a Joke won a 4 ½-furlong race at Arlington Park.

In May, Fifth Third Bank sued Stonewall and related entities, accusing the operation of defaulting on $14.8 million in loans. But Hemingway said breeders can have confidence that Stonewall Farm Ocala is here to stay.

“It’s important for Florida breeders to know that Stonewall Farm Kentucky and Stonewall Farm Ocala are separate entities,” she said. “The majority of the lawsuits deal with Stonewall Farm Kentucky. Stonewall Farm Ocala is completely separate from all lawsuits, so Florida breeders can be confident that we will be here next year and for many years to follow, with the hopes of a restructuring making us all the more successful here in Marion County.”