Category Archives: Racing

Racing

Breeders’ Cup Turf Winner Prized Euthanized at Old Friends

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Photo of Prized © Matt Woolley of equisportphotos.com.

GEORGETOWN, KY – JULY 14, 2014 – Prized, winner of the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Turf, was euthanized on Sunday due to infirmities of old age. The 28 year old stallion had been receiving care from Dr. Bryan Waldridge because of deteriorating mobility.

Bred by Meadowbrook Farm in Ocala, by Kris S. out of My Turbulent Miss (My Dad George), Prized was raced by Meadowbrook and Clover Racing Stable and trained by Neil Drysdale and ridden by Eddie Delaboussaye. At three years old Prized won the Bradbury Stakes at Santa Anita, then prevailed over 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Sunday Silence in the Swaps Stakes (GII). That September the dark bay son of Kris S. took the Molson Export Million, which had come off the turf, a victory that secured the colt – a three year old who had only started on dirt – entry in the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI). His triumph in a head-to-head duel with Sierra Roberta made Prized the first horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf in his first start on the grass, as well as the first horse in racing history to win two million-dollar races on two surfaces in a single season.

Prized continued his turf successes as a four year old. He won the 1990 Arcadia Handicap (G IIIT) and a few weeks later the San Luis Rey Handicap (G IT). Prized retired from racing in 1991 with a lifetime 17 starts, 9 wins, 2 seconds and 3 thirds and $2,262,555.

From 1992 through 2010, Prized stood at Cardiff Stud in California, Dixiana Farm and Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky, and O’Sullivan Farms in West Virginia, From 811 foals he sired 617 starters, 443 winners and 36 black type winners, including GI winner Brass Hat, G2 winners Prized Stamp, Fun House, and Pisces, and New Zealand GI winners Prized Gem (NZ) and Prize Lady (NZ), for $31,351,805 progeny earnings. Though his daughter Fun House, Prized is the damsire of GI winners Paddy O’Prado and this year’s Kentucky Oaks winner, Untapable. His broodmare sire earnings are $36,117,641.

“We brought Prized up every afternoon from his paddock for a cool shower, extra carrots and the adulation of his fans,” said Michael Blowen of Old Friends. “He loved it. It’s always very, very sad when we lose a retiree, especially one as accomplished and adored as Prized. I know his owners felt privileged accepting his Breeders’ Cup trophy but we felt the same way being honored as his caretakers these past few years. It’s something that can never be measured by statistics or money.”

For more information about Old Friends, see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call the farm at (502) 863-1775.

About Old Friends

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 110 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Blowen, (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Competitions, Racing

Breeders’ Cup Announces Keeneland as the Host of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup World Championships

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Announcement marks the debut of the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland

Lexington, KY (June 24, 2014) – The Breeders’ Cup, one of Thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious international events, has today announced Keeneland Race Course, in Lexington, KY, as the host site of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. This is the first time that Keeneland, one of the most iconic tracks in the country, will play host to the Breeders’ Cup. The event will be held on October 30-31, 2015.

The announcement marks the second time in the event’s history and the first time since 1993 that the Breeders’ Cup has revealed on the same day more than one future host site for the World Championships. In addition to Keeneland, the brand’s multi-year location strategy includes bringing the event to Santa Anita Park, in Arcadia, CA for the 2016 Breeders’ Cup World Championships and Del Mar, near San Diego, CA in 2017.

“As part of our strategic three-year host site plan we are very pleased to announce Keeneland as the host venue for the 2015 Breeders’ Cup World Championships,” said Breeders’ Cup Chairman Bill Farish. “Throughout its storied history, Keeneland has developed an extraordinary reputation for delivering a first-class racing and hospitality product. We are excited to bring the Breeders’ Cup home to Lexington and are energized by the support from the local community and the breeders of Central Kentucky who have been such a vital part of our program since its inception.”

Located in the heart of Central Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region, Keeneland plays a unique role in both Thoroughbred racing and breeding. Each April and October, the top owners, trainers and jockeys converge at Keeneland to compete for some of the nation’s richest purse money. As the world’s premier Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland attracts a global clientele to its four annual sales. Sale graduates include 77 horses that have won 83 Breeders’ Cup races.

“The Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland is a homecoming for many of these great champions who were foaled and raised at Central Kentucky farms, and often sold at Keeneland,” said Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason. “The Keeneland team feels that sense of connection and history with the Breeders’ Cup, and we look forward to offering fans an extraordinary racing and entertainment experience.”

The multi-year host site decision is part of Breeders’ Cup larger, forward-thinking growth strategy to showcase the best of what Thoroughbred racing has to offer and is an extension of the brand’s “The Best Is Yet To Come” campaign which promises a curated Thoroughbred racing experience that will attract the best horses, the best owners and the best marketing partners.

Like Keeneland, which will be the site of next year’s event on October 30 and 31, Del Mar will be hosting the Breeders’ Cup for the first time in the event’s 30-year history with the 2017 Breeders’ Cup on November 3 and 4. In between these years, Breeders’ Cup will return to Santa Anita, which will host the 2016 event on November 4 and 5 and represents the ninth time the track hosts the Breeders’ Cup. All event dates are pending approval by the tracks’ respective states.

About Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2014 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 13 races and purses totaling $26 million will be held October 31-Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About Keeneland
For more than 75 years, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. As the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction company, Keeneland conducts sales every January, April, September and November. Its sales graduates dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a private, for-profit corporation that returns its earnings back to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses, as well as millions of dollars in charitable contributions for education, research and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. To learn more about Keeneland, visit us online at www.keeneland.com.

For additional information, contact Niki Heichelbech at enh@visitlex.com.

Community/Charity, Products/Services, Publications/Media, Racing

Racing to Heaven, by Harriet Tramer

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Cleveland, OH – June 19th, 2014 – Emotions, particularly in adolescents, can run very strong. A new book asks how much does it take for these sentiments to run out of control and command our lives along destructive paths?

“The book is what might be called magical realism,” said Harriet Tramer, the author. “It is very realistic in that many of the emotions the narrator describes are one we have all experienced on one level or another. Yet it is magical because you are not certain if she is imagining things or if they are really happening to her.”

The horses in this book seem to be cantering endlessly through the life of the woman who narrates her story. But are they really flesh and blood figures speeding along from place to place? Or are they simply something she imagines because of the turmoil in her mind? Read this book and then decide for yourself.

About the Author
Harriet Tramer has worked as both a journalist and a college instructor. And although the links between these two professions might not be immediately obvious, Ms. Tramer has learned that they have much in common: they both demand highly-developed communication skills. People in these two lines of work must not only learn to express themselves well (either verbally or through written words). They must also become adept at listening.

In writing Rounding the Circle of Love: Growing Up as She Grows Old, Ms. Tramer called into play everything she learned during her more than thirty years as a journalist/teacher. Her experience guided her as she interviewed experts in various fields – the law, medicine, exercise therapy – enabling her to present technical information in an approachable manner.

Ms. Tramer graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And she has Master’s Degrees in Communication and Urban Studies from Cleveland State University. She has written for a variety of newspapers – “The Cleveland Press,” “The Cleveland Plain Dealer,” Crain’s Cleveland Business – and has taught both at Cleveland State University and the New School (in New York City).

Available at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Racing-Heaven-Harriet-Tramer-ebook/dp/B00IG5JF1Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403649164&sr=8-1&keywords=racing+to+heaven

Magnus Publicity

Racing

Breeders’ Cup Marathon Winner Eldaafer Retired to Old Friends

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Photo credit: Rick Capone.

GEORGETOWN, KY JUNE 5, 2014 — Eldaafer, winner of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Marathon, has been retired to Old Friends. The nine-year-old gelding, who suffered a career-ending suspensory injury last November, arrived at the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Central Kentucky on Monday June 2 along with his inseparable companions, the goats Google and Yahoo.

Bred by Shadwell Farm by A.P. Indy out of multiple Grade 1 winner Habibti (Tabasco Cat), Eldaafer easily lived up to his name, which translates as “the victorious.”

Campaigned by several owners throughout his career, Eldaafer had developed a reputation early on for being very difficult. But he began to live up to his potential when he came under the patient eye of trainer Diane Alvarado.

In his first start out of her barn Eldaafer earned his first graded stakes win in the 2009 Brooklyn Handicap (G2), going a mile and a half on the dirt. He went on to make his first Breeders’ Cup Marathon appearance later that year at Santa Anita where he finished seventh.

In 2010, a victory on the Polytrack in the Turfway Park Fall Championship (G3) guaranteed the gelding a second chance in the BC Marathon, and that was indeed the charm. He sailed smoothly to a length and three-quarter victory in a tumultuous race that was memorable for the televised post-race row between jockeys Calvin Borel and Javier Castellano because their mounts had bumped and stumbled.

Eldaafer’s starts in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon in 2011 and 2012 were winless, but he continued to earn stakes, including the Carl Hanford Memorial at Delaware Park in 2012 and the Greenwood Cup (G3) at Parx in September 2013.

Eldaafer retired with earnings of $1,031,835 from 13 wins, 3 seconds and 7 thirds in 46 starts.

“Eldaafer is a sturdy throwback to a time when stamina and strength were valued,” said Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends. “We’re very grateful that his connections trust Old Friends to take care of his well-deserved retirement.”

For more information about Old Friends, see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call the farm at (502) 863-1775.

About Old Friends

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 110 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Blowen, (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Competitions, Racing

Royal Ascot Odds

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With the celebrations gearing up for the centrepiece of Britain’s festivities, the Royal Ascot has been raising its head amidst the gloom and happiness throughout the world, with thousands, and more people looking forward to the royal gathering. With the Royal Ascot being termed as one of Europe’s most famous and one of the oldest celebrations dating back to 1711, the expectations are quite obvious.

Although the press and media are overwhelmed by the news of get-ups of people of different classes on this occasion, the horse race still remains to be the central part of this glorious ceremony, with all the celebrations revolving around the same.

With the delight of having a chance to look at the stunning pageantry with the Queen and carriage, and the lush lawns, the Royal Ascot week remains filled with activities around the time of the year the festivities are hosted. With about eighteen races to be conducted in groups, Royal Ascot will stand witness to a huge prize pot of almost 4 million pounds! Along with these festivities, one of the major attractions of these week-long celebrations is the betting, on the lines of the Royal Ascot odds. With the descent of four year old horses on the racetracks, with all experienced riders exhibiting their finest skills on their horsebacks, the saddles will be a sight worth looking at!

With a vast array of wealth exhibited by the jewels of the royals, the festivities will express richness in all terms of heritage, merit and sportsmanship spirit. All these things make the series of activities worth looking at, and should be attended by everyone once in a lifetime, which would be an experience for life.

However, for bookmarkers, this event is going to be quite special. The week long celebrations in mid-June has been estimated to witness bets worth 400 million pounds, hundred times more than the prize pot itself! With competitions being quite close, most of the bets will be placed online. In this glorious ceremony, one must know how to place a bet, and know something about the royal ascot odds to start off!

Some will win; some will lose, whereas everyone will get away with an experience of a lifetime, on the lush green racetracks of the course. At last, there will be one winner of the Ascot Gold Cup, and a few winners on their bets.

The odds will be decided mainly on the horses taking part, and even the racetrack plays a major role. With a downhill gradient at the beginning, the course takes gentle changes with some right turns, and the track gains an uphill gradient at Swinley Bottom, the lowest part of the track. The course makes conditions unforeseeable, and most of the odds of win-lose will depend on the conditions of the course.

It is always a no-no for a drawing in the middle course, and slightly positive odds are in favour of drawing low. The Brown Panther and some other horses still remain to be favourites, with their riders looking forward to winning the prestigious occasion and award of a lifetime.

However, Royal Ascot will still favour the riders with past experience on the triangular racetrack with right turns, and there is always a point to ponder: there have been variable results of draws on the straight course after it was laid back in the year 2006.

With these eventful days coming up, bookmarkers as well as commons will look forward to bring the best odds of the most looked-at ceremony, with the Queen Anne Stakes, Gold Cup and Diamond Jubilee Stakes being an attraction.

Are you a visitor to the Royal Ascot festivities? If not, you should try at least once, and grab the experience of a lifetime!

Racing

Clever Allemont, 32, Euthanized at Old Friends

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Photo of Clever Allemont © Rick Capone.

GEORGETOWN, KY – MAY 16, 2014 – 1984 Rebel Stakes winner and Old Friends retiree Clever Allemont was euthanized due to colic on the early morning of May 26.

In 2008, when Clever Allemont was 26 years old, someone threw him away to a slaughter auction. Maybe they thought he was too old and useless to bother with. Instead, the elderly stallion lived in good health for five and a half more years and became an important part of Old Friends’ family.

Bred in Illinois in 1982 by A. J. Sweeney, Clever Allemont was by Clever Trick out of Allemont (Carlemont). His race career opened with a five race win streak, beginning at the age of two and culminating in 1985 Southwest Stakes and Rebel Stakes (G3) victories for owner W. C. Partee and trainer Lynn Whiting. He finished third that summer in three graded stakes, the Sheridan (G2) and Arlington Classic (G1) at Arlington Park, and the Fairmount Park Derby (G3). Later trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Clever Allemont was ridden by Pat Day, Angel Cordero, Mike Smith, and Richard Migliore, among others. His earnings totaled $316,329 in 47 starts with 8 firsts, 7 seconds and 7 thirds.

Clever Allemont entered stud in 1988 at Rainier Stables in Enumclaw, Washington and was later moved to Double D Farm in Kishwaukee, Illinois where he stood until 1997 with 167 foals, 125 starters and 72 winners for progeny earnings of $1,038,007 on the track. He also sired AQHA, show jumper and dressage progeny.

In November 2008, the ageing stallion was discovered in a kill buyer’s pen in Kansas. Clever Allemont was thin and had lost his right eye. The Alex Brown Racing Forum’s group Fans of Barbaro raised funds to purchase Clever Allemont, and he was moved to safety at Ray and Jeanne Mason’s Donegal Ranch in Williamsburg, Kansas. Aftercare colleague Diana Baker contacted Old Friends president Michael Blowen. Clever Allemont took up residence at Old Friends’ Georgetown, Kentucky farm in January 2009.

For the next half-decade, Clever Allemont was one of Old Friends’ most popular retirees. His story was featured in the media, he received birthday cards from all over the world, and his gentle sociability despite his past hardships and present challenges – he was deaf from old age as well as having lost an eye – inspired many. “Clever Allemont was such a great asset to Old Friends,” said Michael Blowen. “He was the kindest, friendliest stallion on the farm. He inspired deaf people because he was deaf, visually impaired people because he enjoyed life though he’d lost an eye, anybody who knew what it’s like to overcome hardship.” Blowen added, “People call Clever Allemont a ‘rescue,’ but it’s really the horses who rescue us.”

For more information about Old Friends, see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call the farm at (502) 863-1775.

About Old Friends

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 110 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Blowen, (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Championships, Competitions, Pony, Racing, Washington Int'l Horse Show

2014 WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series Debuts at the Devon Horse Show

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Photo © Shawn McMillen Photography.

Washington, D.C. – May 14, 2014 – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is pleased to announce the return of the wildly popular Shetland Pony racing exhibition and launch of the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series, presented by Charles Owen, which will include a stop at the historic Devon Horse Show in Devon, Pa., plus two nights of racing in Washington, D.C.

The WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase races are run like professional racing events with a bugler, race caller and photo finish, but the jockeys are youngsters from seven to 14, mounted on traditional Shetland Ponies racing over a course of miniature hurdles.

“Last year the audience went crazy for the super cute, fluffy Shetland Ponies and their tiny colorful jockeys racing around Verizon Center!” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell. “We started talking right away about how we could bring them back in a bigger way. Devon is a natural fit as it’s such a special show with great spectators of all ages.”

Well-established in England, pony racing is growing in popularity in the U.S., thanks in part to Maryland-based U.S. Pony Racing, LLC (USPR), organizer of the WIHS exhibition series, which about a year ago started running flat and jumping races for Shetland Ponies at racetracks in Maryland, including Pimlico.

Before entering the USPR program, every pony is evaluated for suitability for its rider and every child is fully prepared for race day. “We don’t want them to be little race horses, we want them to be good ponies that kids can ride,” said Regina Welsh, USPR founder and director. “We want well-rounded kids and well-rounded ponies.”

Charles Owen, sponsor of the inaugural Shetland Pony Steeplechase at Washington last year, will return as sponsor for the expanded 2014 series. No newcomer to pony racing, the Wrexham, England-based helmet maker has been a significant supporter of pony racing in Great Britain since 2005.

“Charles Owen is delighted to be presenting sponsor of the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series,” said Roy Burek, Managing Director of Charles Owen. “With our long association with pony racing in England, we’re especially excited to be a part of its growth in the U.S. Devon and Washington offer a perfect showcase for this sport, and we encourage equestrians and non-equestrians alike to come out to experience and enjoy it.”

WIHS Executive Director Bridget Love Meehan sees the growing series as a mutually beneficial for its partners. “We’re delighted Charles Owen, with its knowledge and appreciation of pony racing, has joined us to create a fresh, fun and exciting new event,” Love Meehan said. “Very few people know that Kent Farrington, the winner of the WIHS President’s Cup Grand Prix in 2013, used to race ponies! It’s a fun event for spectators and a great way for kids to get into equestrian sports!”

The first stop in the 2014 series will be Memorial Day, May 26, at the Devon Horse Show, and it culminates with the finals at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. with races on WIHS Barn Night, Thursday, October 23, and on Grand Prix Night, Saturday, October 25. Additional venues may be added.

The 56th annual Washington International Horse Show will be held October 21-26, 2014, at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.wihs.org.

For more information on U.S. Pony Racing LLC, please visit www.facebook.com/usponyracing.

About the Washington International Horse Show

Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show attracts more than 26,000 spectators to the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for nearly half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the Puissance high jump competition, Military Night (Friday), the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a World Cup qualifier (Saturday night) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com

Racing, Training/Clinics

Go behind the Gates of a Horse Race

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Horse racing starts at the gate, and how a racehorse departs from the gate can have a big effect on his performance. Journal photo.

Trainer Russell Harris shares his inside secrets for creating a good gate horse

Working the horse-racing gates can be a dangerous job, but renowned trainer Russell Harris works with his young racehorses to make the process a little safer.

Gate training begins with familiarizing the horse with the gate.

This includes letting the horse have a good look at the gate, then walking him through repeatedly.

Russell says his key to creating a good gate horse is patience.

He keeps these seven steps in mind when training young horses to start on the racetrack:

  1. Russell ensures that his horses are thoroughly conditioned to the gate before they start in a race.
  2. He also takes the process slowly. Russell lets a solid month go by before he begins shutting the horses in the stalls.
  3. Once his horses are comfortable with that, he opens the gates by hand and lets the horse walk out.
  4. Additionally, he never tries to force his horses to break out of the gate. Instead, he teaches them to follow the doors.
  5. Russell never uses a whip to get a horse out of the gate. Instead, he and his assistants will work on the gate more often until the horse is following those doors.
  6. If Russell has an older horse with gate anxiety, he’ll start at square one.
  7. Typically, Russell says he doesn’t use flipping halters on his horses, unless he gets a horse from somebody else that he doesn’t have enough time to fix before the horse has to hit the racetrack again.

And once the horse is trained for his job and ready to go, the gate crew is ready and waiting to help the horse do his best.

“Those guys do a good job, and if you have a problem, say, from the last time he ran, or he has got a little history, you’ll refresh the starter’s memory or he’ll refresh yours,” Russell says. “Most of them are real good about working with you – you’re going up there as a team, trying to figure it out.”

Can’t get enough of the horse-racing world? Read more about the racing American Quarter Horse!

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

Racing

Georgia Horse Racing Coalition Finds an Old Friend

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ATLANTA, Ga. – April 14, 2014 – The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition, a group of leading business and civic leaders who are dedicated to bringing first-class horse racing to Georgia, announced today a partnership with Old Friends, one of the nation’s leading Thoroughbred rescue and aftercare organizations.

Old Friends, the non-profit Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Ky., cares for more than 125 horses representing some of the finest bloodlines in American racing, including Bluesthestandard, a multiple graded stakes winner who was bred in Georgia.

“The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition supports efforts to help find all racehorses – once their racing careers are over – a new home and a new job,” says Dean Reeves, Coalition president and owner of 2013 Breeder’s Cup Classic winner, Mucho Macho Man, whose earnings are $5.580 million. “Financial support of these retired athletes will be an integral part of our legislative efforts to bring racing to Georgia. Partnering with Old Friends is an important first step in our commitment to this standard of care for horses after they leave the track.”

“Our partnership with the Georgia Horse Race Coalition will help us in our mission to spread the word about the necessity for dignified retirement and second careers for these great horses,” says Old Friends founder Michael Blowen. “By promoting these celebrated horses at Old Friends through a campaign of education and tourism, we draw attention to all retired Thoroughbreds and all equines in need, and we appreciate the support of GHRC.”

Old Friends is considered a “living history museum of horse racing,” attracting nearly 20,000 tourists annually to see such stars of the turf as Breeders’ Cup Champion Gulch, multiple stakes winners Rail Trip and Commentator, and the losing-est horse in the history of racing, Zippy Chippy. Learn more about Old Friends at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition is a non-profit 501 C (6) organization whose mission is to educate Georgians about the value that horse racing will bring to our state by generating jobs, tax revenues and tourism.  The Coalition is working with state leaders to pass legislation allowing parimutuel wagering in Georgia in order to encourage and support a statewide racing industry, including a state-of-the-art entertainment complex. Learn more at www.gahorseracing.org.

Media Contact:
Steve Crayne, Executive Director
Steve.Crayne@GAHorsing.org
(770) 853-0318

About Old Friends

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 110 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Blowen, (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Community/Charity, Racing

Florida Derby Winner Bull Inthe Heather Euthanized at Old Friends

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Bull Inthe Heather. Photo © Carol Ayers.

GEORGETOWN, KY – APRIL, 2014 – 1993 Florida Derby winner Bull Inthe Heather was euthanized April 5 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Kentucky. The 24 year old stallion had been receiving intensive treatment from Dr. Bryan Waldridge and Dr. Bryan Fraley for a combination of issues, but over the last week his quality of life and prospects of recovery diminished.

Bull Inthe Heather was sired by 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand out of Heather Road by The Axe II. Bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm and John Franks and raced as a two- and three-year-old by Arthur I. Klein, he was trained by Howard M. Tesher. The tall roan colt finished second in the 1993 Fountain of Youth Stakes but went off as a 29.40 longshot in the Florida Derby (G1). Wigberto Ramos steered him through at the rail to hand favorite Storm Tower his first defeat. Off a near-win in Hialeah’s Flamingo Stakes, Bull Inthe Heather started as second favorite at 5.20 in the 1993 Kentucky Derby and competed in the Belmont Stakes, won by Sea Hero and Colonial Affair respectively.

In 1994 Bull Inthe Heather was acquired by Craig B. Singer and partners. He remained in Tesher’s barn and hit the board numerous times in 1994 and 1995, including a second in the 1994 Governor’s Day Handicap at Sam Houston Race Park. His career earnings totaled $508,338.

Owned by Charles E. Robinson, Bull Inthe Heather stood at Leckbee Thoroughbred Farm near Onalaska, Washington from 1997 through 2001, and at Loren and Nancy Bolinger’s Running Horse Farm near Albuquerque, New Mexico from 2002 through 2005. His progeny earned $1,031,298 and included stakes winning mares Bullishdemands and Ogygian’s Rose.

Bull Inthe Heather was retired to Old Friends in 2006. As the best son of Ferdinand, whose death in an overseas slaughterhouse aroused the groundswell of support that enabled Old Friends’ formation, Bull Inthe Heather played an important role in the organization’s public education efforts. In 2012 he inspired a Breyer benefit model horse. The “Hops and Horses” event to benefit Old Friends on April 10 will feature a glass honoring Bull Inthe Heather, sponsored by Southern States, with artwork by Anjelica Huston. Bull Inthe Heather, like many horses, was fond of beer.

President and Founder Michael Blowen said, “He was probably the toughest horse at Old Friends and yet he was kind and loved to have his back rubbed. Because he had a rough time the last few months, he was a staff favorite and we will miss him very much.”

For more information about Old Friends, see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call the farm at (502) 863-1775.

About Old Friends

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 110 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Blowen, (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org