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