GEORGETOWN, KY — FEBRUARY 1, 2013 — Marquetry, a GR1 winner and top sire, died today at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY.
The 26-year-old stallion was humanely euthanized after an accident in his stall. Veterinarians from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute attended to him, and a full necropsy report is expected in a few days. Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends, made the announcement this afternoon.
Marquetry, by 1982 Horse of the Year Conquistador Cielo out of the Vice Regent mare Regent’s Walk, won 10 of 36 career starts and retired with earnings of $2,857,886. 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 Eclipse sprint champions Artax (1999) and Squirtle Squirt (2001).
The flashy chestnut retired at age six to Ben. P. Walden Jr.’s Vinery near Midway, KY, but subsequently stood at Stonewall Farms’s Ocala, Florida division where he was pensioned in 2010 due to declining fertility.
“We have, and will, retire many great horses,” said Blowen. “But none will ever take his place. If there is just a glimmer of good in all this it is that [assistant farm manager] Kent Ralstin discovered his injury early and, because of his quick thinking, Marquetry didn’t suffer.”
For more information about Marquetry or any of the retirees at Old Friends contact 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 Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cagrisolia@yahoo.com, or Michael Blowen, (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org