Tag Archives: Bull Inthe Heather

Florida Derby Winner Bull Inthe Heather Euthanized at Old Friends

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