Eye of the Tiger, a two-time graded-stakes winner, was found dead in his paddock early Saturday morning, March 18, 2023 at Old Friends in Georgetown, Ky. Necropsy results are pending.
Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, made the announcement on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Eye of the Tiger was 23-years old and had been at the farm since June 27, 2016.
Bred and owned by John D. Gunther, the son of American Chance–Dial a Trick, by Phone Trick, Eye of the Tiger was foaled in Kentucky on April 10, 2000.
Eye of the Tiger only had two trainers his entire 19-race career – Jerry Hollendorfer for his first 14 races, and Kiaran McLaughlin for his final five races, which included his biggest career win.
Under Hollendorfer's care, Eye of the Tiger won three races, with the first two at Golden Gate Fields. His first win came as a 2-year old his first time on the track in a maiden special weight race on Nov. 30, 2002. His next two wins came as a 3-year old in 2003; the first was an allowance optional claiming race, and the second was the Affirmed Handicap (G3) at Hollywood Park for his first graded-stakes victory.
Also, in 2003, Eye of the Tiger finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) behind the winner, Funny Cide; and he finished second in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.
For his 4-year old season in 2004, Kiaran McLaughlin picked up the training duties for Eye of the Tiger's final five races, and he won twice. The first win came in an allowance optional claiming race at Belmont Park, and the second win, which was the biggest of his career, came in the Washington Park Handicap (G2) at Arlington Park.
In his next race, Eye of the Tiger finished fourth in an allowance optional claiming race on July 8, 2005 at Belmont. It would be the final race of his career. He retired with five wins, two seconds, four thirds, and $535,679 in earnings in 19 career starts.
Eye of the Tiger stood at Gunther's Glennwood Farm in Versailles, Ky. starting in 2006. Gunther also bred 2018 Triple Crown winner, and Horse of the Year, Justify; and 2019 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic winner, and Champion Older Dirt Male, Vino Rosso, at the farm.
In 2016, Eye of the Tiger was pensioned, and sent to Old Friends to enjoy his retirement.
“Eye of the Tiger was the Garbo of Old Friends,” said Blowen. “Give me what I need and get lost. Handsome, self-reliant, and, now, missed.”
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