Yesterday was a sad day at the farm. We had to say goodbye to two valiant elders. We were coming to love them both very much. Swain and Dumaani lived most of their lives at Shadwell Farm until they joined Old Friends last March. Though we were privileged to care for them for all too short a time, both lived long and illustrious lives. Swain was thirty years old and Dumaani thirty-one.
Swain (Feb. 12, 1992 – July 27, 2022)
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Dumaani (April 22, 1991 – July 27, 2022)
At their advanced ages, and both stallions had health conditions, but of course you always hope for a few more years. However, when our vet team determined that for differing reasons both were in pain with no prospect of improvement, it was all too clear that only one way remained to help them. Both spent several good months with us, received tours and other admirers with enjoyment, and were visited by friends who had cared for them at Shadwell. They were in sight and sound of other stallions who’d been at Shadwell with them. Both seemed to know they were loved.
Swain and Dumaani
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Swain was foaled in Ireland and raced for Godolphin. Among his many victories were the Group 1 Coronation Cup, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, and Irish Champion Stakes. He was Champion Older Male in England 1997-1998 and Champion Older Male in Ireland 1998. Among the foals he sired, maybe not the best but our favorite, is our own Falcon Scott, who is much like his dad in looks and sweetness.
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Kentucky-bred Dumaani was a son of the great Danzig. He raced with distinction for Shadwell all over the world, with wins in the King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket, in Dubai, in the Keio Hai Spring Cup (G2) in Tokyo, and in the Keeneland Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G3) in Kentucky. At Saratoga he once finished second in a race with Kiri’s Clown right on his heels for third. He was trained by fellow Lexingtonian Kiaran McLaughlin.
Though we wish we’d had years with these two distinguised stallions, we were lucky to have them in our lives and will fondly remember them.
Beth
photos by Laura
Old Friends Blog 
Thank you for the article and thank you for the care and love you all give these elder horses.
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It is always sad to see see a post like this. Especially sad for me today to know that one of my favourite sires, Danzig has lost one of his offspring. Wish I could have seen Dumani at Old Friends, I loved seeing Danzig at Claiborne.