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ex-racehorseBonnie’s Poker, Dam of Silver Charm, Euthanized at Old FriendsGEORGETOWN, KY – AUGUST 5, 2010 – Bonnie’s Poker, dam of 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm, was humanely euthanized today at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY. The 28-year-old mare was suffering from EPM. Trained by Anthony Dutrow, Robert Lake, and others, Bonnie’s Poker (Poker – What a Surprise by Wise Margin) was a hard-knocking claimer in the 1980s, starting 63 times with 11 wins – including three wins in 10 days at Aqueduct in 1986 – and 19 other appearances on the boards. Her earnings totaled $153,960. She made her real claim to racing fame, however, as the dam of the brilliant Kentucky Derby (GR 1) and Preakness (GR 1) winner Silver Charm. “She had the biggest heart,” said Robbie Davis, one of several jockeys to ride Bonnie’s Poker during her 4-year racing career. “She gave her best every time.” After the Finish Line Fundraiser to Benefit Thoroughbred Ex-racehorses, August 5thDear Equine Friends, After the Finish Line presents their Annual Charity Fundraiser, “A Tribute to the Majesty of Thoroughbreds,” on Thursday, August 5th at the Hilton Hotel in Del Mar, CA. We will host a reception, silent & live auctions and dinner. ATFL is a funding non-profit dedicated to saving, rehabilitating and caring for rescued Thoroughbred horses who can no longer race or breed. For ticket information please contact Dawn Mellen at dawn@afterthefinishline.org or (858) 945-1371. Please consider a donation if you cannot attend. Our auctioneer is Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. Our guest speaker is Katherine Brooks, the writer/director of The Boys Club, www.theboysclubmovie.com. We will also show a heart warming video about a rescued Thoroughbred ex-racehorse. Please forward this message to your equine friends and those concerned with the welfare of animals. It will be a FUN evening supporting a worthy cause! Disregard the RSVP date on the invitation. A late fee will not be charged. If you can attend, please print the invitation and return it with your payment. We also accept PayPal through our website, www.afterthefinishline.org. Sincerely, Dawn Mellen, President/Founder After the Finish Line 10153 Riverside Drive, Suite 397 Toluca Lake, CA 91602 Unwanted Horse Coalition Media Roundup
July 30, 2010 – Edition 11 – This Unwanted Horse Coalition news summary is provided as an educational service to those interested in the issue of the unwanted horse. The articles do not reflect the opinions of the Unwanted Horse Coalition or any of its employees. The listing of events does not constitute an endorsement of a particular event. If you see an article or event that may be appropriate for inclusion in Media Roundup, please e-mail it to ecaslin@horsecouncil.org. 1,600 Unwanted Horses Receive Spring Vaccinations Black Tie Affair, Breeders’ Cup Champion and Horse of the Year, Euthanized
 Black Tie Affair by Rick Capone GEORGETOWN, KY – JULY 1, 2010 – Black Tie Affair, the 1991 Horse of the Year, was humanely euthanized today at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY. The 24-year-old stallion was suffering from laminitis, and Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen and veterinarian Dr. Douglas Byars made the decision early this morning. “It was an honor to be associated with such an amazing athlete,” said Blowen. “The Old Friends team, headed by Dr. Byars, did everything we could to help this old warrior. In the end, he exhibited the same class as he did when he won the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He was the best in every way.” Black Tie Affair has been pensioned at Old Friends since July 2009. Marquetry, Sire of Artax and Squirtle Squirt, to Retire at Old Friends
 Marquetry Old Friends founder Michael Blowen, photo by Rick Capone GEORGETOWN, KY – JUNE 25, 2010 – Champion sire Marquetry has retired to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Central, KY, president and founder Michael Blowen announced today. Marquetry, by 1982 Horse of the Year Conquistador Cielo out of the Vice Regent mare Regent’s Walk, won ten of 36 career starts and earned $3,857,886. He was a Grade 1 winner on both dirt and turf, registering victories in the 1991 Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (G1), 1992 Eddie Read Handicap (G1), and 1993 Meadowlands Cup Handicap (G1). He is the sire of Breeders’ Cup winners and sprint champions Artax and Squirtle Squirt. Old Friends to Hold Special Memorial Day Service for Departed ChampionsGEORGETOWN, KY – MAY 24, 2010 – This Memorial Day, Old Friends will pay tribute to some very special Thoroughbred Champions. On May 31st Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility in Georgetown, KY, will have a commemorative service for eight retirees that have passed away in the last year. Honored will be Calder Hall of Famer Flying Pigeon, multiple GR1 winner Ruhlmann, Argentine bred Gold Spring, J. J. Gittes’ Invigorate, Old Friends foundation mare Narrow Escape, Arkansas Derby winner Proper Reality, GRIII winner Stage Colony, and Beulah Park hero AppyGoLucky. Keeneland bugler Bucky Sallee will perform the final “Call to Post”. Racehorses Begin Their New Life at Shamrock Lee Farms
 Horses at Shamrock Lee Farms Loxahatchee, FL — After retirement, rarely do you see today’s athletes, businessmen or pilots curl up in a bark-o-lounger with a remote and a bag of potato chips. It’s not in them; most continue in the working world in some capacity. The same is true for racehorses — those who are physically able — who continue doing some sort of equine activity, whether showing, trail riding, family pet, etc. Pure Thoughts Florida Thoroughbred Rehab and Placement (FTRP) is here to do just that – help the racehorses begin a new life after their racing careers are over. Sound Check, a 6 year old gelding, and Miracle of Dreams, a 5 year old filly, have both began that new life, one that consists of activity, kids and most importantly people who love them. What more could a horse ask for? 6th Annual Old Friends HomecomingCelebrate the First Sunday in May with Racing’s Retired Champions GEORGETOWN, KY – APRIL 28, 2010 – On Sunday, Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, will welcome guests to its 6th “Homecoming” event. The annual fundraiser will be held May 2nd, the day after Derby, at 5 pm at Old Friends’s Dream Chase Farm on 1841 Paynes Depot Road in Georgetown. Tickets are only $20 and $10 for Old Friends members. Guests will enjoy a food buffet by Wallace Station, live music, farm tours, plus live and silent auctions of racing memorabilia, artwork, collectible stallion halters, clothing, and much more. Zippy Chippy to Old Friends at Cabin CreekAmerica’s Biggest Loser to Retire with Champions GREENFIELD CENTER, NY – APRIL 23, 2010 – America’s biggest loser is about to become a big winner. Zippy Chippy, the racehorse known more for his career defeats than his thrilling victories, arrived yesterday at Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, where he will be permanently pensioned. Cabin Creek is the New York satellite of the well-known Georgetown, Kentucky-based Thoroughbred retirement farm that was founded by Michael Blowen in 2003. Hollywood Documentary on John Henry Set to Debut
 Photo (c) PixbySteve.com Kentucky Horse Park Chosen for Theatrical Debut of Tribute to Two-Time Horse of the Year LOS ANGELES (April 21, 2010) Open Sky Entertainment, in cooperation with Launchpad Releasing, is rolling out their new documentary film entitled “JOHN HENRY: A STEEL DRIVING RACEHORSE.” The film about one of the most successful and beloved horses in U.S. horseracing history will make its theatrical debut on May 2nd at the Kentucky Horse Park. The film will simultaneously be available to purchase on DVD at the film’s official Web site, www.johnhenrymovie.com, as well as several other major online retailers and retail chains to be announced. There will be two shows in the theatre at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, one at 6pm and one 8pm on Sunday, May 2. There will be special DVD give-aways at both shows. Space is limited so the public is encouraged to immediately reserve tickets at tickets@johnhenrymovie.com. |
