Tag Archives: Kentucky Derby

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Racing

Old Friends to Hold Memorial Day Service for Departed Champions

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GEORGETOWN, KY – MAY 25, 2011 – On Memorial Day Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility in Georgetown, KY, will have a commemorative service for the six retirees that passed away since last spring.

The public is invited to attend the event, which will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday May 30 at Old Friends’ Dream Chase Farm, 1841 Paynes Depot Road in Georgetown.  Refreshments will be served.

Honored will be:

–Academy Award (1986-2010), one of the few remaining sons of Secretariat, he was the sire of 10 stakes winners;
–The Wicked North (1989-2011), a California superstar, he was named Eclipse Champion Older Male in 1994;
–Polish Navy (1984-2011), a great son of Danzig and multiple GR1 winner;
–Bonnie’s Poker (1982-2010) one of Old Friends’ mares, she was the dam of 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Silver Charm;
–Glitterman, (1985-2011) a world-record-setting sprinter and sire of four millionaires, including Balto Star;
–Jade Hunter (1984-2011), a GR1 winner and sire of Horse of the Year, Azeri.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Competitions, Disciplines, Events, Racing

Animal Kingdom Surges to Win 137th Kentucky Derby

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When they opened the gates on the 137th Kentucky Derby, Animal Kingdom came away cleanly from his auxiliary gate post, and settled kindly for Velazquez well behind the honest pace set by Shackleford (Forestry). That blaze-faced chestnut, who had been training up a storm under the Twin Spires, lived up to that reputation by getting his first quarter in :23.24 and :48.63, and was tracked by Comma to the Top (Bwana Charlie) and Decisive Moment (With Distinction). Meanwhile, favored Dialed In (Mineshaft) was a long way last. For a 19-horse field, there appeared to be a minimum of rough trips, and Animal Kingdom raced in the three path down the backstretch. “We were between horses and he was going well,” said his rider. As Velazquez began to gather his mount approaching the three-eighths pole, Animal Kingdom’s engine roared to life, and the chestnut avoided a potential problem by accelerating through a seam with Santiva (Giant’s Causeway) to his outside. “When we got clear, he gave me the feeling that he had it in him [to win],” said Velazquez. Guided a bit further out, the lightly raced chestnut accelerated smartly, reeling in Nehro (Mineshaft) and surging clear in the final strides. Shackleford stayed on bravely, but succumbed late to Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) to lose third.

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Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Disciplines, Events, Products/Services, Racing

Flair LLC Announces Support of the 2011 Kentucky Derby

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Flair LLC, maker of FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips is pleased to announce its support of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports, to be held Saturday May 7, 2011 at Churchill Downs, Louisville Kentucky.

FLAIR, a partner of The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and supporter of The NTRA’s Safety and Integrity Alliance, is proud to provide FLAIR Strips to all 2011 Kentucky Derby entrants, and provide information to all those attending the 2011 KTA/KTOB Kentucky Derby Trainer’s Dinner about the proven, drug-free benefits of FLAIR Nasal Strips for reducing EIPH.

Jim Chiapetta DVM JD, President of Flair LLC, said of FLAIR’s Kentucky Derby sponsorship, “The legendary Kentucky Derby is one of the greatest contests in sport and FLAIR is proud to be a part of this momentous yearly celebration of Thoroughbred horse racing.  Flair, LLC is also pleased to partner with the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance and work alongside the NTRA to protect the health and wellbeing of our equine racing athletes.”

About FLAIR Nasal Strips:  FLAIR Strips provide drug-free support and protection to the respiratory system of the hard-working equine athlete. FLAIR Strips are proven to:  reduce airway resistance, reduce lung stress and bleeding, reduce fatigue, and shorten post-exercise recovery time.

For more information about FLAIR Strips, please visit http://flairstrips.com.

For more information about the Kentucky Derby — The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports — please visit http://www.kentuckyderby.com/.

For more information about The NTRA and The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance please visit http://www.ntra.com/home.

Contact:
Nan Rawlins/Equimage Media
nan@equimage.com

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Racing, Rescue/Protection Sources

Mint Julep Cup Sales Benefit Equine Welfare Organization

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Woodford Reserve bourbon is taking the traditional Kentucky Derby cocktail, the mint julep, to a new level by unveiling the world’s most exclusive mint julep cup. The Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Cup Experience will feature the most exotic ingredients in the world and a collection of 103 sterling silver mint julep cups designed by Tiffany & Co. exclusively for Woodford Reserve. Proceeds from the cup sales will benefit The Heart of a Horse Foundation, whose mission is to maintain and stimulate the unwavering well-being of horses in America.

“Woodford Reserve has been associated with the Thoroughbred community since the brand’s beginning and through the sale of these cups, we look forward to assisting The Heart of a Horse Foundation in their horse rescue mission,” said Laura Petry, Woodford Reserve brand manager.

In addition to the 103 traditional cups, there will also be three “Prestige” cups available for auction. These sterling silver cups feature a design around the base in 24 karat gold vermeil originally used by Tiffany & Co. on a horse racing cup created in 1876, and bidding on these rare cups will start at $2,000 each.

“It is an honor to partner with Woodford Reserve for a second year while also supporting the Heart of a Horse Foundation,” said Susanne Halmi, group director of Tiffany & Co.

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Events, Racing

Dedication of Kentucky Derby Winner Alysheba’s New Memorial Statue

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WHO:  The Kentucky Horse Park and the family of Clarence Scharbauer

WHAT:  Dedication and unveiling of new Alysheba statue at his gravesite

WHEN:  Friday, April 16, 2pm

WHERE:  Hall of Champions, Kentucky Horse Park

WHY:  Clarence Scharbauer III, whose family raced Horse of the Year and Kentucky Derby winner Alysheba, has commissioned a bronze statue for Alysheba’s grave, created by sculptor Shelley Hunter.  Before coming to the Kentucky Horse Park, Alysheba spent the previous eight years of his life in the royal stables of His Majesty King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.  Known on the track as “America’s horse,” he was sent to the Kentucky Horse Park as a gift from His Majesty to the American people in October 2008.

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Disciplines, Racing

Alysheba Memorial Statue to Be Unveiled

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Alysheba“America’s Horse” to be remembered at Kentucky Horse Park

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 12, 2010).  One year after the death of Kentucky Derby Winner Alysheba, the Kentucky Horse Park will unveil a memorial statue at his grave.

The famous son of Alydar had resided at the park for only five months when he was euthanized as a result of an accidental fall in March 2009.  The 25-year-old stallion was buried at the Hall of Champions.

The public is invited to the Alysheba Memorial Statue Unveiling, Friday, April 16, 2:00 pm.

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