Kudos, a multiple-stakes winning gelding, died on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., announced president and founder Michael Blown.
The 26-year old bay Thoroughbred by Kris S.–Souq, by Damascus, was found dead in his paddock during late-afternoon feeding. A reason for his death is unknown at this time. Necropsy results are pending to get an accurate cause of death.
Bred and owned by longtime Old Friends supporters, Jerry and Ann Moss, Kudos was foaled in Kentucky on April 17, 1997.
Trained by Richard Mandella his entire career, Kudos began racing in 1999, but did not win his first race until his eighth career start as a 4-year old in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita on March 17, 2001. He then won his next three consecutive races, two allowance races, and the Jim Murray Memorial Handicap (Black Type) at Hollywood Park for his first stakes victory.
In 2002, he won two more stakes races – the San Marino Handicap (Black Type) at Santa Anita, and the Oaklawn Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park, his first-graded stakes win, and the biggest win of his career. In the race, he came back from 15 lengths behind to win by 4-3/4 lengths.
As a 6-year old in 2003, he won the Californian Stakes (G2), while finishing second in the San Pasqual Handicap (G2), and third in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), the Oaklawn Handicap (G1), the race he won the previous year, and the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), his final race.
Kudos retired with seven wins, five seconds, four thirds, and $1,238,935 in earnings in 24 career starts.
In 2006, the Mosses donated Kudos to Old Friends for his retirement. He was the second horse they retired to Old Friends; the first was Ruhlmann.
“Kudos was one of our first stars and enchanted us for nearly 17 years,” said Blowen. “He was a great symbol of our growth. I can't thank Jerry and Ann and (racing manager) Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs enough for allowing us to spend all this time with their treasure.”
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