December 5, 2023

Sun King
(January 31, 2002 – December 2, 2023)

Sun King achieved his public debut at a week old as one of the cutest babies of 2002. He was featured in the Bloodhorse foal slide show. He had yet to catch up to the huge star on his forehead but his strapping physique already hinted at the muscular sturdiness to come. Unnamed as yet, he was identified only by his sire and dam, Charismatic-Clever But Costly. He was so adorable that I right-clicked and saved the photo. When a 2-year-old son of Charismatic named Sun King began making news in 2004 I looked up his pedigree. To my delight, Sun King’s dam was Clever Trick’s daughter Clever But Costly. I was already in love. Though grieving now, I realize how lucky I am that his life and mine converged.

Sun King, too, was fortunate since he was purchased for racing by Tracy Farmer and trained by Nick Zito. His wins are impressive, the 2005 Tampa Bay Derby (G3), Leonard Richards S (G3), and Pennsylvania Derby (G2), and in 2006 his most memorable victory, the Commonwealth S (G2) at Keeneland when, bumped at the start, preventing his usual early lead, and at an extremely speed-favoring meet even for that speed-favoring track, he devoured the 7 furlongs on the outside to win drawing away. Though he never won a G1, he ran a close second in the Haskell, the Met Mile, the Whitney and the Woodward. He also ran 3^rd in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and 4^th in the Preakness.

He stood at Darby Dan in Lexington and Elite Thoroughbreds in Louisiana until, at age 14, his fertility declined. Charismatic was at Old Friends when Mr. Farmer told Michael that the 1999 Derby winner’s best son was ready to retire. We looked forward to having both with us, but that was not to be. Sun King arrived six days after his sire’s unexpected death. On that cold February day in 2017 when we gathered for his arrival, emotions ran high. Eager as we were to meet Sun King, we braced ourselves to shed no tears. The van parked, the ramp was let down, and the transport’s horse handler went aboard to bring him off. Almost immediately she came running out again. “He bit me!” Could we help laughing? It broke the spell. From that moment we were all smiles. (And in the slide show you’ll see it was our then-farm manager, Tim Wilson, who led Sun King off the trailer to his new home.)

Of course he bit her. He’d had a long, cold ride, had no idea where he was, and though recently gelded, his hormones were still at stallion level. Also, he was Sun King. For most of his life, he was tougher than his dad had been. In fact, he was tougher than most of our stallion residents. He shared the distinction of Honorary Stallion with War Emblem, but Sun King was an entirely different kind of guy. He loved people. He loved tours, and visitors, and his visitors fell in love with him. Race fans admired his achievements. Sport horse people liked his big, sturdy looks and often asked if he was a Warmblood. Visitors of all persuasions loved his attitude. If Eclipse Awards were given for attitude, Sun King would have a shelf full of them.

What was his attitude? Indescribable. The main ingredients were confidence, courage, intelligence, vitality, playfulness, friendliness, and a deep capacity for love. He didn’t much like petting. Even as he mellowed in his late teens, he preferred to be asked. He did like back scratches or rubs and having the crest of his neck massaged—if you asked first. Surprisingly, he loved small children. More than once I saw him lower his head gently as any riding school horse so a little kid could stroke his face. Not mom and dad, just the kid.

Birdstone (L) and Sun King

When Birdstone retired to OF in 2020, I don’t think any of the humans on the farm thought about the 2004 Belmont winner and Sun King, only a year apart in age, having been stable mates in Nick Zito’s barn. Clearly, the two horses remembered each other. Birdstone, a stallion, can’t safely share a paddock with another male horse, but in their neighboring paddocks they hung out together close by the fence.

Maybe that was a factor in Sun King mellowing out so that finally he accepted a gelding paddock mate. First, sweet-natured Draxhall Woods (“Shorty”). Maybe it was his influence that helped Sun King relax into a gentler mode while remaining outgoing and fun to be around. He was a bit bossy to Draxhall Woods, but when Special Ring needed a friend, he and Sun King made a perfect match, both good-hearted, smart, and just tough enough.

Special Ring (L) and Sun King

I could go on forever. There are a hundred Sun King stories I could tell, and everyone who knew him can probably tell a hundred more, but those wouldn’t define him. He was one of those larger-than-life personalities you just have to experience for yourself. If you were one of the fortunate ones who did, you know what I mean. The news of his passing brought an outpouring of loving responses from OF volunteers such as I’ve rarely seen. Part of that may be that he didn’t let on that he was ill. Though his weight and energy declined, Sun King was a complete stoic. Until his last few days he was very much still in the game. We had every hope that Dr. Ashton Broman, in whose veterinary care he was, could bring him through whatever was wrong, right up to Saturday when he went to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital for tests and was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. We’re grateful for the kind, clear-sighted care Dr. Broman gave Sun King.

My heart goes out to all of you who loved him. Sun King was a big horse with a strong presence and he inspired enormous love. When all is said and done, what better achievement could there ever be?

Remembering Sun King

Beth
photos by Laura

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November 21, 2023

Work All Week
(March 9, 2009 – November 13, 2023)

We have lost an admirable champion and a quietly kind friend, Work All Week. According to Old Friends’ head veterinarian, Dr. Bryan Waldridge, the cause of his death was a paddock accident. At this time we’re still waiting for the full results of the necropsy (equivalent to a human autopsy). We already know, fully and sadly, that we miss him. So do his friends who shared his paddock. Work All Week got along well with all in his herd, but he was a very independent spirit, as happy doing his own thing as he was hanging out with others. He seemed to have an instinctive wisdom for getting along quietly and peaceably.

He dominated impressively where it mattered, on the track. He made his win at in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Sprint look easy, but he beat some exceptionably fast horses, such as Fast Anna and future Old Friends resident Private Zone (2009-2018). His sire was the speedy City Zip and his dam, Dancing Matilda, was by Repriced. Richard and Karen Papiese, owners of Midwest Thoroughbreds in Illinois, bred and raced him, and generously allowed Old Friends to retire him, along with his friend and stablemate, The Pizza Man.

Winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint wasn’t Work All Week’s only remarkable accomplishment. His list of stakes wins includes the Phoenix S (G3) at Keeneland, and in 2013 and 2014 he blazed a mostly-stakes win streak through 7 races, part of a 17-race run where he was always either first or second. That remarkable feat lasted nearly through his entire career, and only once in his life did he ever finish off the board. Yet, Work All Week was one of the most modest, unassuming horses on the farm.

When he arrived at Old Friends in August 2020 with his friend, Arlington Million winner, The Pizza Man, it was Work All Week who settled in the quickest. Once he’d seen there was plenty of good grass, he set to work on it. When he saw his home also featured admiring visitors bringing plenty of carrots, he took this in easy stride. When he and The Pizza Man joined a herd, The Pizza Man was the extrovert, but Work All Week gradually and surely bonded with all his new friends.

I have no amusing or outstanding stories to tell. Work All Week was the opposite of quirky. He never created soap operas and was never a squeaky wheel. He was a good paddock citizen, good to his equine and human friends, always a bit reserved but with a kind heart and good head. He never seemed to realize how remarkably beautiful he was. Though he didn’t brag, I pay heartfelt tribute to his accomplishments and hope all who read this will take a few minutes to relive his championship victory in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint before scrolling down to see him in retirement in “Remembering Work All Week.” We would give anything if only his retirement could have been longer.

2014 Breeders’ Cup Sprint

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Remembering Work All Week
in his retirement at Old Friends

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Beth
photos by Laura

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November 4, 2023

Tom’s Ready
February 1, 2013 – October 30, 2023

For an all too short three years Old Friends was fortunate to be the home of Tom’s Ready. He died last Monday due to complications from colic surgery, and we miss his kindness and the sweet, expressive ways he convinced us that a carrot is ok but a few more are much nicer.

Bred in Pennsylvania by Blackstone Farm LLC, he was a son of More Than Ready our of Goodbye Stranger by Broad Brush. He raced for G M B Racing, trained by Dallas Stewart. At three he won the 2016 Woody Stephens Stakes (G2) (formerly the Riva Ridge S) at Belmont and the Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs—very fittingly, since the Racing-Hall-of-Famer Ack Ack was his great-grandpa. He ran in the 2016 Kentucky Derby and participated in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. At four, Tom won the Leemat Stakes at Presque Isle and the 2017 Bold Ruler Stakes (G3) at Belmont and finished second or third in other graded stakes for $1,036,267 earnings.

He entered stud in 2018 at Spendthrift Farm right around the corner and down the road from Old Friends and sired his best progeny there, Quite Ready, a 2019 gelding out of Vindication’s daughter, Sweet Revenge. Quite Ready is still racing, with wins this year, as are others of his progeny. However, he didn’t attract the book needed for a competitive stallion career at a top Bluegrass farm, and in 2019 he was relocated to Red River Farms in Louisiana. In November 2020 he was pensioned from stud and Gayle Benson of G M B Racing enabled his retirement to Old Friends.

Tom settled into a paddock on the south side of the main farm, the prettiest part of the property where the best grass and most sheltering trees grow. This isn’t on the regular tour route, so not every visitor had the pleasure of meeting him, but his friendliness and handsome looks won the hearts of many who took private tours and all of the volunteers and staff. We only wish we could have known him a whole lot longer.

I’d like to have done a “Remembering” slide show video for him had I managed to pull together enough photos, but Laura did take some beautiful ones of him. For those who weren’t fortunate to meet Tom’s Ready, they give a good idea of his handsomeness and his expressive face.

Beth

photos by Laura

September 21, 2023

Amazombie
(April 18, 2006 – September 18, 2023)

One of the most talented horses ever to live at Old Friends, 2011 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and 2011 Eclipse Award Champion Sprinter, Amazombie, passed unexpectedly on Monday. He was euthanized following a fracture from which there was no hope of healing with quality of life. We’ve had remarkably few fatal fractures in Old Friends’ two decades, but it hurts all the more to lose two of our longest and most loved residents in a short time.

Amazombie’s remarkable race career, from being thrown in with the sale of another horse to owner-trainer Bill Spawr, through a sizzling 2011 sprint campaign and win in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, to being elected 2011 Eclipse Award (the highest championship honor in American racing) in the sprint division, can be read at the Bloodhorse.

You can watch his 2011 Breeders’ Cup Sprint victory here.

Amazombie, a gelding would have no stud career. To our delight, owners William Spawr and Thomas Sanford entrusted us with his retirement. He arrived in October 2014. On arrival, every new resident is alert to the essentials: Is this place free of scary monsters? What horses are nearby? What’s the food situation? Then comes: Are the people ok? Amazombie immediately asked a question many horses don’t get around to first thing: Who can I make friends with?

Amazombie in his early retirement. Equisport Photos.

He was such a charmer that we were all his friends from day one. During initial turnouts in the round pen by the barn, as he was getting acclimated and was in the precautionary quarantine all newcomers go through, he kept signaling that he wanted to be patted, scatched, treated, or something equally and fun. He made obeying the quarantine for the whole 21 days so hard! Once he was cleared to really make friends and meet and greet his visitors—Amazombie had many keen fans—he loved getting carrots by hand. I don’t know who enjoyed the other more, Amazombie or his visitors. Race fans who admired him left loving him. Those who didn’t know racing fell in love with him for his elegant looks, bright-eyed curiosity and friendliness. Many, many repeat visitors specifically asked to see him.

As Amazombie settled in, Rapid Redux had finished a rest following his long, strenuous race career and was ready for a paddock mate. The two geldings were the same age and both entering a new lifestyle, so it was decided to see if they hit it off together. They may not have proved most placid twosome on the farm, but the two formed a strong bond that lasted to the end of Amazombie’s life.

with Rapid Redux. Photo by Laura Battles.

They were great fun for the tour guides too because both had Eclipse Awards yet had earned them via completely different routes. Amazombie was a late maturer but never saw the gritty side of racing and ended up as one of the sport’s elite. Rapid Redux was a claimer at working class tracks, a situation that often lacks predictability and long term associations with handlers. Rapid’s record-setting 22 race win streak had moved in out of claiming ranks, but he was a kid from a tough neighborhood and at first he bossed Amazombie around.

Gradually, Amazombie achieved the leadership. It took them about a year of negotiation and occasional rumbles, but they continued to graze and doze in tandem and they settled comfortably into their new balance.

Mostly. Neither was a pushover. That may be what made their bond so strong. Every once in awhile one would sass the other, like the day I fed them lunch and Amazombie claimed his feed tub, then decided though Rapid’s was some distance away it also his. He raced back and forth between the two feed tubs, gleefully possessing both. The upshot was that Rapid ate more lunch that day because he got in mouthfuls from his own tub while Amazombie was dashing back and forth.

Photo by Laura Battles.

As they matured, both settled into middle aged ways, but Amazombie was always an athlete. He ran for pure joy. You could see it in his eyes. He was one of those horses who gave rise to beliefs that horses are embodied wind.

My one regret about the “Remembering Amazombie” video below is that since Laura’s camera sessions usually happen at evening, I had no photos of Amazombie with the many humans who loved him and none of the tours where he was such a charmer. His bright inquisitiveness, playfulness and kindness are now a matter only of memory. They were a genuine part of who he was. Yet there was also some essence that was less tangible and more eternal. Of all the ways I will remember him, the most vivid is of him running with the wind in his mane and joy in his eyes.

Remembering Amazombie

Beth

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20 September 2023

It’s been a sad week at Old Friends. Last Friday Lady Grizzley, a sweet mare who had lived with us since 2016, lost her battle with an infection and its complications and was euthanized. Her death preceded by three days that of her breeder and owner, Eclipse Award winning breeder and generous friend to Old Friends, Governor Brereton Jones.

Last Monday we unexpectedly lost Amazombie, 2011 sprint champion and one of our all-time visitor favorites, who also had to be euthanized when he sustained a fracture that precluded hope of healing with any quality of life. I’m preparing a separate post and “Remembering” video for Amazombie that I hope to upload in a day or two. There aren’t enough photos of Lady Grizzley for a slide show. In most, she’s only somewhat visible as one of the herd with whom she shared happy years. In this post, Rick Capone, who knew her better than most, shares his memories of her.

Beth

Lady Grizzley
May 17, 2006 – Sept 15, 2023

I always enjoy visiting the mares’ paddock on the back 40 at Old Friends. I go there all the time to visit my favorite mare, Miss Hooligan, but I always enjoy spending time with the other mares, as well. Lady Grizzley was one of those mares that I spent some time with when I visited.

Over the years, Lady Grizzley played a couple of different roles in the mares’ paddock. When she first arrived, she worked her way through the hierarchy to become best friends with Santona, who was the leader of the herd at the time. So Lady Grizzley became the assistant leader and protector of Santona.

Lady Grizzley sharing a back scratch with Santona

When Santona passed away, Lady Grizzley seemed to miss her friend, but she knew she had a job to do and she assumed the role as the new leader of the mare’s paddock. While she kept mostly to herself in the paddock, she could also be a bossy leader at times, especially when someone stopped by to visit the mares. At first, she’d push the other mares aside each time to get to the fence first, then after she got some carrots and loving, she’d let the others come over to get some loving, too.

She wasn’t pushing the others away because she was being mean though. I thought she did it to get people’s attention because when visitors came, it was usually to see one of the higher profile mares. Few came to the paddock especially to see her. Maybe she was a little jealous become some of the other mares had someone who was “their” special person, and she didn’t. That’s why I always took time to visit only with her when I was there. She grew to look forward to my visits as much as Miss Hooligan did.

I will miss seeing Lady Grizzley when I visit the mares, but I will always remember our times together and what seemed to be her look of gratitude because she knew I enjoyed her company and liked spending time just with her.

Rick
photos by Laura

August 29, 2023

Sarava
March 2, 1999 – August 28, 2023

Sarava came to live with us in September 2012. Yesterday he was euthanized due to fracture sustained in a paddock accident. The horsepeople among you know that while some equine leg fractures can be healed, with some survival is not possible. An example of the first kind is the fracture Green Mask sustained in 2017, which two surgeries and a rehab program helped him overcome. Six years later, Greenie happily greets tours and larks around his paddock. We would have given anything for this to be possible for Sarava, but it wasn’t.

After eleven years of friendship it’s not possible to express a loss in words, or to even begin to tell the stories of who he was, things he did, and what he meant to his friends and fans. The stories will flow later when something recalls Sarava’s mildness in hot weather and fiestiness in cool weather, or how carefully he accepted carrots from children’s small hands, or the frigid, snowbound day when Sarava kicked his waterer, causing an underground pipe to give way so that everything behind his paddock on the water line—the entire farm as well as Michael and Diane’s house—was without running water.

For race fans, the memories go back twenty-one years. Sarava’s win in the 2002 Sir Barton Stakes drew little notice compared with Derby winner War Emblem’s Preakness victory that day. A month later in the Belmont, the flashy black star was beaten by the little plain black horse. Sarava was the longest shot winner of a Triple Crown race up to then, at 70-1 odds, with a win payout of $142.50. He was a deserving winner. Whether War Emblem would have tired as he did had he not stumbled coming out of the gate will never be known, but as it was, Sarava’s stamina prevailed. Watch the race and you’ll see him find his best run even as no less a horse than Medaglia d”Oro tired and gave in to him.

He might have repeated that successes but for two pieces of bad luck, a bout of colic that required surgery and recovery time, and the lack of dirt races at the long mile and a half distance where he outshone his peers. If only the Breeders’ Cup Marathon had yet existed … !

Standing in Florida, Sarava attracted modestly good mares and sired modestly good progeny, many of whom would have appreciated longer distance dirt races than were available. He stepped down from stud duty in 2012 and was retired to Old Friends thanks to owners Gary Drake and Paul and Susan Roy. In Gary Drake and his family Sarava was lucky to have an abiding friendship with his former owner that was delightful to witness. It wasn’t unusual to see their truck parked beside Sarava’s paddock while they and their Belmont winner spent time together.

Edgar Prado, Sarava’s Belmont Stakes jockey, was reunited with him earlier this summer. “As everybody knows, he gave me one of the biggest thrills of my career,” Mr. Prado said yesterday. “When I moved to New York, he gave me my first Triple Crown winner. Everybody will remember him, not only for that, but as one of the biggest longshots in history to win the race. I was glad to see him recently at Old Friends. But I think the most important thing is that in the last years of his life, he’s spent quality time among so many good people that showed him love, showed him respect and admiration for what he has done for horse racing. It’s tough to see him go, but I think he felt the love from all the staff at Old Friends who did a super job.”

I know that we felt his love. In his quiet way, Sarava knew he was important and found ways of his own to return our affection. He was a stickler for stallion etiquette. Anyone invading his space without his permission was apt to feel his teeth, but when given respect, as he defined respect, Sarava was an unusually kind, cooperative, and friendly stallion. He loved a thorough scratch, back, neck, tummy, and he was never too dignified to connect with his visitors and friends, returning interest for interest and kindness for kindness.

Horses’ bodies are designed to survive by running from predators and traveling far in search of food. But the fleetness that is their greatest asset is also their vulnerability because they carry their muscular thousand-pound bodies on very slender legs and small hooves, making them both astoundingly agile and tragically fragile, not just on the track or over hurdles but also in the grassy paddocks where they live as safely as is possible. We do what we can to keep them secure, but it’s not 100% possible. In the end what matters most is that Sarava lived a good life, due not only to the daily care he got but just as much to the support of his friends and fans that made that care possible. For eleven years he enjoyed his retirement on the front of the farm where he watched the cars arrive for tours, visibly anticipated his admirers and the carrots they brought, got his treats and admiration, and had peace and quiet under his shade trees when he wanted it.

It hurts to lose Sarava, but that’s because we were so fortunate. He inspired us so and he gave us so very much.

Beth
photos by Laura

July 11, 2023

Celebration of Hall of Fame Jockey Edgar Prado’s Retirement
at Old Friends
1841 Paynes Depot Rd., Georgetown, KY
This Saturday July 15, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

We hope you’ll be there!

Edgar Prado, one of the most distinguished jockeys of our time, began his North American career in 1986. He was the leading rider in Maryland through most of the 1990s, and a leading rider nationally from 1999 on. He won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 2006 and was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2008. 56 years old now, he has announced his retirement. He has long been admired for his extraordinary combination of strategic skill and intuitive genius for working with his mounts. Mr. Prado has been a great supporter of Thoroughbred retirement.

Among his 7,119 wins are the 2006 Kentucky Derby with Barbaro, whose brother Nicanor lives at Old Friends, his two Belmont Stakes victories on horses now retired with us, Sarava and Birdstone.

Sarava, 2002 Belmont Stakes

Birdstone, 2004 Belmont Stakes

Edgar Prado’s graded stakes wins and the star racehorses who achieved them for him are too many to list, but we look forward to his reunion with some of his top mounts:

Milwaukee Brew, 2003 Santa Anita Handicap

Sun King, 2005 Tampa Bay Derby

Arson Squad, 2008 Meadowlands Cup

El Brujo, 2009 Perryville Stakes

Nicanor teamed up with Edgar Prado for his first start

Mr. Jordan was twice stakes placed with Edgar Prado
who also rode him in his last race

Two more of Mr. Prado’s top mounts were Old Friends retirees Cosmonaut (2002-2021) who lived at our Cabin Creek division in New York, and Diamond Stripes (2003-2017), who lived on our Kentucky farm.

And as a footnote, I can’t resist praising one of my favorite of his rides. In the 2003 Westchester Handicap, Nick Zito trainee Najran knew that for that day he was the greatest rock ‘n roll band in the world, and the wisest jockey in the world let him show it. Running much of the race far ahead of the pack, the grey colt came within a molecule-thin 0:04 of Dr. Fager’s world record for a mile on the dirt. Old Friends is the home in retirement of Najran’s son, Nick and Kim Zito homebred, Palmer’s Approach.

You are warmly invited to come party with Mr. Prado and Old Friends in honor of a career well lived.
Admission is Free.
Interested attendees must RSVP to: barbara@oldfriendsequine.org

July 5, 2023

Saratoga Episode
(April 5, 2001-June 30, 2023)

Saratoga Episode was raced by Sackatoga Stable, owners of 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide. His dam, Cherokee Mist, was a modest earner. Few have ever heard of his sire, Wheaton, who won no races of note, but through him Saratoga Episode’s grandparents were Alydar and Secretariat’s revered daughter, Terlingua. Trained by Barclay Tagg, Saratoga Episode raced 12 times and finished third in the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes at Belmont Park in his home state of New York. He exceeded both his parents in earnings. Some years later, when the time came for his full retirement, Jack Knowlton of Sackatoga Stable entrusted him to us. For this, and all of Sackatoga Stable’s generous support, Old Friends is lastingly grateful.

Saratoga Episode with Slim Shadey (2008-2021)

Because in himself Saratoga Episode has been our helper and asset since his arrival in 2011. In him we had not just a friendly horse who was unfailingly kind to his friends, staff and public. He was also a good companion for the several paddock mates who were in his herd through the years. In this herd were horses with physical issues, such as the arthritis Saratoga himself experienced, that prevented them getting too rowdy for too long and hard. Their bodies were telling them they had to live a calmer lifestyle, and this transition isn’t equally easy for all Thoroughbreds. Saratoga was there for all of them, showing them how to take it easy, and quietly teaching a few of them better manners when needed.

and with Tuneintobow

It was wonderful to watch how many of his paddock mates, even a few who’d had trouble getting along with previous pasture companions, adopted Saratoga as a sort of older brother. When a new horse was introduced into his paddock it wasn’t unusual to soon see the new guy snuggled up with Saratoga, grazing so close they almost touched, as if from him they were learning how to accept aging and change, and that life as they now lived it was still very good.

Through the last year or so, Saratoga Episode himself had to accept changes as the arthritis in his ankle became accute, accompanied by multiple other symptoms of physical decline. He made it clear when it was time to stop fighting it all. Through it all he had the best of vet care from the magnificent team at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and unfailingly loving daily care from Old Friends staff and volunteers.

All who knew Saratoga Episode will always miss him. We were fortunate to have him in our lives.

Remembering Saratoga Episode

Beth
photos by Laura

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June 1, 2023

Jonesboro
(March 15, 2002 – May 25, 2023)
Sefapiano – Mom’s Command (Top Command)

When Jonesboro arrived at Old Friends on September 11^th, 2022 we all fell in love with his beauty. All except for Michael, who didn’t need to fall in love because he’d had long been a fan of Jonesboro, and before that, Jonesboro’s dam, the great Mom’s Command, whose wins in the Coaching Club Stakes, Alabama Stakes, Acorn Stakes, Mother Goose Stakes and other Grade 1s earned her induction into the Racing Hall of Fame.

Jonesboro’s bold blaze also reminded some of our oldest-timer hands and supporters of another son of Sefapiano, a much-missed founding resident named Easy Ellis. Jonesboro, a stallion, turned out to be as nice as he was handsome. We looked forward to spending years with him. As fate would have it, we barely got the chance to begin to get to know him.

Jonesboro inherited a very respectable share of his mom’s talent, his most notable wins being in the 2009 Prairie Meadows Handicap (G2) and the G3 2007 Essex H and 2008 Razorback H at Oaklawn Park, and the 2009 Texas Mile Stakes at Lone Star Park. He raced through age eight for earnings totalling $1,550,685.

After a moderate stud career he was pensioned last year. His coming to Old Friends was another legacy from his great mom. She was bred and raced by Peter Fuller, whose daughter Abigail Fuller was her jockey. When her best son was retired from stud, Abigail contacted Michael, who was delighted to welcome Jonesboro. For a far too short eight months he won the admiration of all who saw him and the affection of all who began to get to know him. We deeply regret that he didn’t get to enjoy a long retirement and wish we could have shared more time with him.

Beth
photos by Laura

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May 3, 2023

Mystery Trip
March 13, 2001 – April 30, 2023

Mystery Trip was the last foal of Secretariat’s daughter Weekend Surprise who was one of the greatest dams in modern Thoroughbred history. Weekend Surprise, a multiple graded stakes winner, was the mother of Summer Squall (1987, by Storm Bird), Honor Grades (1988, by Danzig), A P Indy (1989, by Seattle Slew), as well as Court Vision’s dam Weekend Storm. In other words, Mystery Trip was royalty. Sadly, her mother did not survive the foaling, but Mystery Trip was a healthy filly and grew up to look much like her dam. She never raced but instead, when she had matured, she began a career as a broodmare. She gave birth to several foals, most of them winners. The best was Gallant Fields.

Mystery Trip (R) with Gold Round

When it was time for her to retire, owner LNJ Foxwoods donated her to Old Friends along with her longtime friend Gold Round, who herself belongs to a notable family and is the half-sister of champion mare Goldikova. LNJ Foxwoods financed the building of a new paddock to be home to Mystery Trip and Gold Round. Of the two, Mystery Trip was the more eye-filling, as they say. Gold Round reached out more enthusiastically to score treats and befriend visitors, but Mystery Trip made sure she received her due, all the while remaining on her dignity. She could be rather reserved with those she didn’t know well, but she liked admiration and attention and enjoyed visits with her fans. Her friendship with Gold Round, and the companionship they provided each other, comes through clearly in the photos Laura Battles captured of them. Later they were joined by Hi Dubai, who both mares accepted with the graciousness characteristic of them.

Hi Dubai, Mystery Trip, Gold Round

Racehorses often wage valiant battles to the finish line. The courage of Thoroughbreds, the heart they show to admiring crowds, is their most inspiring quality. Mystery Trip never competed on the track, but she had as much heart as any of her kin, and she showed it in her strength of will to conquer the chronic hoof issues that eventually claimed her life. In this she had the expert, and caring, assistance of Dr. Ashton Broman, Dr. Scott Fleming and Ben Barhost, CJF, of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Old Friends is grateful to them for the help they provided in increasing Mystery Trip’s comfort and helping her extend her quality of life.

The passing of Mystery Trip feels like the end of an era in Thoroughbred history, but it is for herself that we miss her. She lived with us for far too short a time, but the memory of her dignity and sweetness will always remain with us.

Beth
photos by Laura