Tag Archives: American Pharoah

Auctions, Community/Charity, Racing

Secretariat Festival Archive Auction – Sept. 19

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More details on the selection of premium auction items in the Secretariat Festival Archive Auction are now available on-line and what a line-up awaits! From the devoted fan to the serious collector, there is something for any level of racing interest. Highlighting the premium auction items is the elegant limited edition Ruffian Bronze as well as an authentic shoe from the heralded stallion Unbridled. We are also thrilled to offer an American Pharoah Commemorative Saddletowel honoring America’s newest Triple Crown winner. These three items are now available for bid via eBay. Other premium items offered as part of the Festival’s silent auction on Saturday include original halters representing a who’s who in the thoroughbred stallion world and a very special vintage Meadow Stable desk jockey.

For those of you coveting one of the auction items but unable to attend the Sept. 19 Festival events in Paris, Kentucky… no worries. Simply bid from the comforts of home by filling out our absentee Proxy Bid Form and we can do the rest. And best of all, proxy bidders will receive a complimentary token of appreciation by simply placing their bid, making every proxy bidder a winner in their own way. This is one special auction you won’t want to miss! Click here for more Auction Information and Bidding

Secretariat “Hoofprint in History” Commemorative Golden Shoe
This is your chance see history made… and take your own piece of it home with you! Receive this fabulous limited gold edition commemorative shoe, cast from one of the actual race-worn winning racing plate of Big Red himself, with the purchase of a VIP Admission Ticket to the Sept. 20 “Hoofprint in History” Secretariat Guinness World Record Largest Horseshoe Attempt at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Produced in a total edition of 250 pieces specifically for the record attempt unveiling, these limited edition keepsakes are each individually numbered and accompanied by a special gold-foiled certificate hand-signed by Penny Chenery and Ron Turcotte.

For those who cannot attend the Derby Museum event, there still is an opportunity to acquire one of these collectible mementos. Secretariat.com will be taking a wait-list for our extremely limited inventory of commemorative golden shoes that will be available for purchase following the unveiling event on a first-come basis. Contact information@secretariat.com to register your name for the shoe wait-list. Click Here for More “Hoofprint in History” Information

DavisHop on the Big Red Bus Excursion with Charlie Davis
If you are planning on catching the Big Red bus excursion for the Secretariat world record largest shoe attempt or Churchill Downs races in Louisville, we are delighted to announce you will be traveling in style with Secretariat’s entertaining exercise rider Charlie Davis! Don’t miss this unique chance to Let Charlie regale you with his favorite Big Red anecdotes and stable tales during the 75 minute scenic drive departing the Kentucky Horse Park on Sat 11:15 am.

Tickets for those who wish to enjoy live racing at Churchill Downs on Sunday, Sept. 20 as part of their Festival experience are now conveniently available for purchase on-line. Choose from the option of reserved clubhouse seating or the famous Millionaire’s Row which includes a delicious lunch buffet. Click Here for Churchill Downs Race Tickets

Festival News Odds & Ends
The Secretariat Festival has now added a new special edition Authentic Bluegrass Turf Shirt to the selection of color options for the official Secretariat Festival T-Shirt. Take a little bit of Kentucky home with you with these unique shirts dyed with actual Kentucky Bluegrass. Click Here to Purchase Turf Shirt

Make your reservations now for any of the Secretariat Festival special events including Claiborne, Adena Springs and Darley Farm Tours. Availability is beginning to fill up, so don’t get left at the gate – make your reservations now!

Each year at the Festival, the demand for autographs from Penny Chenery grows. Guarantee your autograph from the “First Lady of Racing” and a place at the front of the line with the purchase of an Advance Signature. Limited to only the first 25 purchasers, this premium service is the perfect solution to take the worry and waiting out of your autograph experience. Click Here for Advance Signature Purchase

Click here for Complete Festival Information

Secretariat Autumn Racing Memories
It was 42 years ago this week that Secretariat furthered his legend in the September 15, 1973 inaugural running of the Marlboro Cup. The Secretariat Festival pays tribute to this event by displaying the original Marlboro Cup Flag which debuted over Belmont Park for the auspicious occasion. This amazing piece of racing history measuring an enormous 16 feet in diameter will proudly be unfurled once again, this time from the Secretariat Festival rafters in the main Exhibition Hall. Don’t miss seeing this interesting racing artifact on public display for the first time in four decades!

Secretariat’s track record victory in the October 8, 1973 Man o’ War Stakes was an impressive feat its own right. To win in track record time over a stellar turf field and older horses is downright amazing. To honor that achievement we are delighted by the new photo release entitled “Lasting Legacy” capturing Penny Chenery and Ron Turcotte together as they proudly lead the Meadow Stable champion into the familiar winner’s circle at Belmont. Click Here to Purchase Lasting Legacy Photo

Secretariat.com
P.O. Box 4865
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
United States

Auctions, Fundraisers, Racing

Old Friends Update and Event Tonight with American Pharoah Halter

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American Pharoah – Photo by Ronnie Betor.

Breaking News! Triple Crown winner American Pharoah’s authenticated halter will be up for auction at our cocktail party fundraiser tonight, Aug. 3, from 6-10 PM at Siro’s. Tickets available at the door!

From Michael:

All the horses are doing great.

The past few months have been great for Old Friends. From American Pharoah winning the Triple Crown and his trainer Bob Baffert donating $50,000 to Old Friends and three other worthy charities (the TAA, CARMA and the PDJF) to acquiring Genuine Risk’s son, Genuine Reward, it’s been quite a time. All the extra visitors coming to see Silver Charm and Game On Dude and, of course, Little Silver Charm, are putting a wonderful burden on our volunteers. And they’ve all stepped it up big time. Hall of Fame baseball player/manager, Joe Torre, came by to see Game On Dude and most of our other retirees.

But the future is where it’s at. We’ve got to work harder to get more room for more deserving retirees. With that in mind, we’ve signed leases with an option to buy on two additional, adjacent properties and an adjoining home. The properties increase our available acreage to more than 100. The home would allow us to re-open the bed and breakfast at Old Friends so people could stay at the farm.

Of course the big news is that the Yoshida family and everyone at Shadai Stallion in Japan have agreed to send War Emblem to Old Friends where the 2002 Derby-Preakness winner can be re-united with Sarava, who beat him in the Belmont. Like all the other great athletes we’ve brought back so they could be adored by all their fans, we need to raise the money for transportation, etc. In War Emblem’s case, and because they are so concerned with his health and safety, it would also involve transportation for his veterinarian and groom. And personally, I think this is a great idea. Instead of going after a mega-sponsor, we’d like this to be a grass roots effort. Here’s the deal: we are asking 300 supporters to donate $202. As a memento, each donor would receive a numbered certificate, signed by trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinosa, designating them as a member of War Emblem’s inner circle. He or she would also receive a special invitation to join us at Old Friends for a special welcome home party. Let me know what you think.

There are some great activities planned in August for Old Friends. Tonight at Siro’s, there’s a great celebration for Old Friends at Cabin Creek led by jockey and Old Friends Board member, Rosie Napravnik. Tickets available at the door and are $100. On Aug. 7, at the resplendent Anne’s Washington Inn, we will present the annual Frankel Award at a cocktail party from 6pm to 8pm. Each year, this get-together attracts great old friends from Thoroughbred racing, including Todd Pletcher and his family, Javier Castellano, Angel Cordero, Jr., Cot Campbell, Sonny Taylor and many others. Special thanks to Kendall-Jackson wines, Mama Mia’s and, of course, Anne’s Washington Inn proprietor, Joe Bokan, for their generosity.

Make your plans to have a lot of fun at Old Friends Day at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 16. KD President Corey Johnson has designated the 1st Running of The Old Friends Stakes ($150,000) as the feature and all the other races will be named for other Old Friends past and present. We already have five retirees at Kentucky Downs, which is the first track in the nation to make room for retirees, all of whom are being cared for by the caring and capable, Lisa Salmon.

We’re working on more exciting news during the Keeneland meet and the highly anticipated Breeders’ Cup. Don’t forget our big celebration on Nov. 1 at the farm. We’re hoping that War Emblem and several other famous stallions will be ready to greet you.

New horses Genuine Reward and Archie’s Echo have settled in very nicely. Both are still in quarantine, but I hope you can visit in a few weeks when they are ready to receive visitors and have as much fun as we do every day. Personally, I want to thank everyone for allowing me to live a life that’s better than my dreams.

Vote for Michael

Vote for Michael Blowen for the “Rare Life Award”, presented by Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: http://eaglerarelife.com/content/michael-blowen.

It doesn’t cost anything; you don’t have to register or give any information. Just click “Vote for This Story” to be heard. You can vote once every 24 hours (on each device you may have, e.g. computer, cell phone, tablet), SO BOOKMARK THE PAGE AND VOTE OFTEN! Voting continues until January 1st 2016, and prizes are awarded in the spring.

Old Friends, 1841 Paynes Depot Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324
502-863-1775 www.oldfriendsequine.org
michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Old Friends at Cabin Creek Farm
The Bobby Frankel Division
483 Sandhill Rd., Greenfield Center, NY 12833
518-698-2377 www.oldfriendsatcabincreek.com
cabincreek4@hotmail.com

Community/Charity, Racing

American Pharoah Trainer Bob Baffert Makes Charitable Donation to Old Friends

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Trainer Bob Baffert and his son, Bode, visit with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm at Old Friends. (Photo by Tim Wilson)

GEORGETOWN, KY – JUNE 8, 2015 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, will be the recipient of a $50,000 donation from Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and his wife, Jill.

Baffert’s American Pharoah swept the coveted Triple Crown — the first in 37 years — when he won the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

Immediately following the horse’s victory the Bafferts pledged a $50,000 donation each to four charitable organizations: Old Friends, The Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund, The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and CARMAcares.

Old Friends is the retirement home of three of Baffert’s former trainees: Derby contender Danthebluegrassman, multiple grade 1 winning fan favorite Game On Dude and 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm.

Baffert visited Old Friends just prior to this year’s Kentucky Derby where he saw Silver Charm for the first time in more than a decade.

“I want to share this; I want to make sure that those horses that we really love — we have to take care of them,” Baffert said following American Pharoah’s Belmont victory. “Win, lose, or draw, I was going to do it.”

“We are so grateful to Bob and Jill for this wonderful gift,” said Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends. “The thrill and excitement of the first Triple Crown in 37 years would have been enough, but their generosity is unsurpassed, as is their love and dedication to the horses.” Blowen added.

“Everyone at Old Friends wishes to congratulate Bob and Jill and American Pharoah’s owners the Zayat family on their historic victory, and for sharing their wonderful horse with all of his fans.”

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Racing

“Secret Lives of the Super Rich: The Triple Crown” at 10p ET/PT June 4, 2015

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CNBC has been documenting American Pharoah’s journey as he races towards the Triple Crown this Saturday at the Belmont Stakes. We will take viewers behind the scenes with “Secret Lives of the Super Rich: The Triple Crown” at 10p ET/PT.

This special presents thoroughbred racing like you’ve never seen it before, with unprecedented access on and off the track, including thrill-filled moments inside the VIP winner’s circle. It’s an exclusive and up close look inside the unforgettable journey of the father and son team who own American Pharoah as they win the most prestigious races in America, take home millions in prize money, and race against history for the most elusive title in all of sports: The Triple Crown.

Below are a few clips from the special:

Triple Crown All-Access Pass
CNBC gives you an inside look into American Pharoah’s race against history.
http://www.cnbcprime.com/super-rich/video/superrich-triple-crown-all-access-pass/

Air Horse One
American Pharoah doesn’t fly coach — his ticket is first-class on a custom Boeing 727 that’s been transformed into the ultimate stable in the sky!
http://www.cnbcprime.com/super-rich/video/superrich-air-horse-one/

American Pharoah’s Owner Runs for the Roses
Get up close and personal with the 23-year-old owner of American Pharoah, Justin Zayat, as he experiences the gut-wrenching thrill of winning the Kentucky Derby.
http://www.cnbcprime.com/super-rich/video/superrich-american-pharaohs-owner-runs-for-the-roses/

AmericanPharoah3“Secret Lives of the Super Rich: The Triple Crown” Promo
A look inside the unforgettable journey of the father and son team who own American Pharoah as they race against history for the most elusive title in all of sports: The Triple Crown.
http://youtu.be/pu_seNBis5s

Tune-in Details: “Secret Lives of the Super Rich: The Triple Crown” premieres Thursday 10p ET/PT on CNBC.

Join the conversation on Twitter with #SuperRich and @CNBCSuperRich or on Facebook at facebook.com/CNBCPrime. Go to cnbcprime.com/super-rich/ for more details.

CNBC Plaza, 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Competitions, Racing

American Pharoah Wins 2015 Kentucky Derby

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American Pharoah reigns supreme at the 2015 Kentucky Derby!

The 2-year-old champion ridden by Victor Espinoza beat out the field of 18 before a record crowd of 170,513 at Churchill Downs on Saturday, capping the two-week-long festival featuring bizarre hats, fancy dining and powerful thoroughbreds.

Firing Line came in second, followed by Dortmund. The win would be jockey Espinoza’s second straight at the Derby.

The speedy colt American Pharoah was the favorite heading into the 141st running of The Derby, with odds of 5-2. American Pharoah had won his past four races, and it was Espinoza who rode California Chrome to victory in 2014.

Experts’ second-favorite horse was Dortmund, with odds of 3-1. Both horses were trained by the Hall of Fame inductee Bob Baffert, who secured his fourth Derby win. Baffert could also take credit for the horse finishing third.

Dortmund set the pace at the start, closely followed by Firing Line and American Pharoah. But as the 1.25 mile race wore on, American Pharoah made a move for the lead and held it across the finish line first, securing a $2 million guaranteed minimum purse.

The race time was 2:03.02, run under sunny skies.

“I’m speechless,” American Pharoah’s owner Ahme Zayat said. “We are very blessed.”

“We were ready to rumble,” Baffert said. “I just love what I saw today from both of my boys.”

American Pharoah makes a bit of an oddball champion, having an abnormally short tail, and a misspelled name (Pharoah”). But who doesn’t enjoy a victor with some character?

The rest of the results follow, beginning with fourth place:

Frosted, Danzig Moon, Materiality, Keen Ice, Mubtaahij, Itsaknockout, Carpe Diem, Frammento, Bolo, Mr. Z, Ocho Ocho Ocho, Far Right, War Story, Tencendur, Upstart.

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