Mike Man's Gold, the all-time wins leader at Emerald Downs with 26 victories, has been retired to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky.
The 13-year-old dark bay gelding was donated by Karen Angelos, who has owned and cared for the gelding since his retirement from racing in 2022 by owners Keith and Jan Swagerty, who also owned and operated the Washington state-based Swag Stables.
When Swag Stables was recently sold, Angelos reached out to Old Friends for permanent retirement.
Bred and owned by the Swagerty's, Mike Man's Gold, who is by Liberty Gold–Chedoodle, by Slewdledo, was foaled in Washington state on Feb. 19, 2010. At that time, Angelos was the broodmare manager at the farm.
Mike Man's Gold boasted a nearly unprecedented 11-year career, which saw him become an absolute fan-favorite at his home track at Emerald Downs.
He began his racing career under trainer David Martinez as a 2-year old in 2012. He promptly captured his first three starts, all at Emerald Downs, including the Premio Esmeralda Stakes (Black Type), and the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association Lads Stakes (Black Type).
Mike Man's Gold continued his winning ways at Emerald Downs in all levels of racing. In 2013 he won twice in seven starts, which included the Seattle Slew Handicap (Black Type); and in 2014, he won twice in nine starts, which included the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic Stakes (Black Type),
“I've been friends with the Swagerty's for 44 years,” Angelos said. “We went to all of Mike Man's Gold's races and cheered him on. I still have his winning blankets when he won the Muckleshoot Classic as a 4-year old.”
Following his 4-year old season, Mike Man's Gold still ran in some stakes races, but also began running in lower level races, where he captured most of his wins.
In 2017, Mike Man's Gold had his best racing season, winning five of his nine starts. In September of 2019 he set the all-time wins record at Emerald Downs with 22 wins, en route to 26 victories in all before hanging up his silks at the age of 12 in 2022.
Mike Man's Gold closed out his career with 26 wins, four of them stakes races all at Emerald Downs, eight seconds, eight thirds, and $380,427 in earnings in 86 starts.
Now that Mike Man's Gold, whose nickname is “Mike Man” is at the Old Friends, Angelos is looking forward to a visit. “I love all the babies I've been involved with (about 150), but Mike Man, and his sister, No Flies on Doodle, stand out. They are special.
“Mike Man has been big part of my 23 years there and I can't wait to come see him at Old Friends and give him some peppermints.”
“They don't make them like him anymore,” said Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends. “Like Soi Phet, Rated R Superstar, Welder, and Rapid Redux, Mike Man laid it on the line for a long time. He arrived on Wednesday a bit tired, but bright-eyed and alert. Thanks to Nancy and everyone at Emerald Downs, and Karen at Swag Stables, for making it possible for Old Friends to enjoy him every day.”
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