Williamstown at Old Friends. Photo by Rick Capone.
GEORGETOWN, KY – FEBRUARY 26, 2015 – Graded-stakes winner Williamstown has died. The 25-year-old son of Seattle Slew was euthanized on February 25 due to complications caused by the neurological disease EPM.
Williamstown had been pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, since 2007. Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, made the announcement of his passing this morning.
As a racehorse, Williamstown (Seattle Slew – Winter Sparkle, Northjet) scored his biggest win in the 1993 Withers Stakes (GR2) at Belmont Park in track-record time of 1:32.79 for owner Peter W. Willmott. It was considered one of the fastest miles in racing history.
Williamstown’s three-year career included wins in other stakes, and seconds in the Jerome Handicap (G1) and King’s Bishop (G2), among others. In all, Williamstown won five of his 24 starts and earned $360,884. He was also successful as a stallion, siring 15 stakes winners, including graded winner Vinemeister.
Williamstown was pensioned from stud duty in 2007 after proving infertile. The Central Kentucky insurance firm Aubrey Insurance took possession of the horse and tried to place him in an equine program at University of Minnesota, but he did not fit their needs. Plans to euthanize Williamstown were underway when an employee at Aubrey decided to contact Blowen at Old Friends.
“I’ll never forget the day, nearly eight years ago, when a woman named Lisa called from Frank Aubrey Insurance and asked us if we had room for a horse named Williamstown,” recalled Blowen. “I was thrilled. I had visited Williamstown years earlier at Saratoga when Peter Vestal trained him. Over the years, his kind owner Peter Willmott visited Williamstown many times and was a generous supporter.
“Like his sire, Seattle Slew, Williamstown knew he could be very imperious,” Blowen added. “But he earned it, and he’ll be missed.”
For additional information, contact Old Friends 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: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org or Michael Blowen, (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org