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Swain and Dumaani Euthanized at Old Friends

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, Ky., lost two retirees Wednesday–multiple graded stakes winner Dumaani (Danzig–Desirable {Ire}, by Lord Gayle), who was 31, and European champion and GI Breeders' Cup Classic third-place finisher Swain (Ire) (Nashwan–Love Smitten, by Key to the Mint), who was 30. Both were humanely euthanized due to the infirmities of old age.

The stallions stood most recently at the Lexington-based Shadwell Farm, where they were originally pensioned. They relocated to Old Friends in the spring of this year as part of a downsizing of operations following the death of Shadwell owner, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in 2021.

“It's always sad when we lose any of our wonderful retirees, but yesterday was devastating,” said Old Friends President Michael Blowen. “The only solace is that farm manager Antonio Marin and Rood and Riddle's Dr. Ashton Broman recognized that both Dumaani and Swain were both in severe discomfort and the best thing for them–not for us–was to take the pain away. But the pain their deaths left behind has left a lasting scar on us. Even when you do your best it can't defeat mortality.”

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Shadwell Donates Six Pensioned Stallions to Old Friends

Six pensioned stallions from Shadwell Farm have been donated to Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement in Georgetown, Ky. Albertus Maximus, Kayrawan, Intidab, Mustanfar, Dumaani, and Swain were relocated in recent weeks from Shadwell's Nashwan Stud complex to the non-profit organization's farm, joining its 143 other residents, including 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness S. winner Silver Charm and Belmont S. winners Birdstone, Touch Gold and Sarava.

“We are so honored that Michael Blowen and his dedicated staff have elected to bring our retired stallions to Old Friends where they join an array of former superstars,” said Shadwell's Gregory Clarke. “In this wonderful facility, they will be available to the public where adoring fans can get up close and personal.”

Following the death of its founder, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in March of 2021, Shadwell has undergone a reorganization and downsizing of operations in both the U.S. and Europe. This restructuring has included relocating some stallions and selling a substantial number of its racing and breeding stock.

“We are flattered and privileged that Shadwell would trust us with their magnificent stallions,” said Old Friends President and founder Michael Blowen. “Their support, both financially and in their appreciation of the farm, speaks volumes about their generosity. We accept it as a great tribute to the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his irreplaceable legacy to Thoroughbred racing and breeding.”

The new residents are:

ALBERTUS MAXIMUS (18), by Old Friends retiree Albert the Great. Winner of the 2009 GI Donn H. and the 2008 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Albertus was retired from racing for stallion duty in 2012.

KAYRAWAN (30), a Shadwell homebred by Mr. Prospector, won the 1996 GII Tom Fool H. He has sired 52 winners, including stakes winner Dubai Sheikh and four stakes-placed runners.

INTIDAB (29), a Shadwell homebred by Phone Trick, was stakes-placed in England and Dubai before coming to the U.S. where he posted graded stakes wins in the GII A Phenomenon H. and the GII True North H.

MUSTANFAR (29), a Shadwell homebred who earned $625,010, won or placed in nine graded stakes, racing on dirt, turf, and synthetic surfaces. The son of Unbridled won the GIII Sycamore Breeders' Cup, the GIII Lexington S., and has sired winners on both dirt and turf.

DUMAANI (31), a Shadwell homebred, is a multiple graded stakes winner by Danzig. His victories include back-to-back editions of the GIII Keeneland Breeders' Cup Mile, which resulted in the Shadwell Turf Mile being sponsored, and run at Keeneland for over 25 years.

SWAIN (30), a son of Nashwan was a champion in both England and Ireland, also placed in two Breeders' Cup events: the 1996 Turf and the 1998 Classic.

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Affirmed Success Euthanized at Old Friends

Affirmed Success (Affirmed–Towering Succes, by Irish Tower), a three-time Grade I winner at seven and eight furlongs and back-to-back winner of the GIII Poker H. on the turf, was euthanized Feb. 16 at Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky. He was 28 years old and according to attending veterinarians, was suffering from chronic hoof infections.

A homebred for Al Fried, Jr. and trained throughout by Rich Schosberg, Affirmed Success won the first three starts of his career and was third to Awesome Again in the 1997 GII Jim Dandy S., but made his name as a top-class sprinter/miler on the dirt, winning the GI Vosburgh S. and the GI Carter H. at seven furlongs and the GI Cigar Mile H. In his first of eight appearances on the turf, Affirmed Success won the first of his two Pokers in 2000 and was beaten a neck and two noses behind War Chant, North East Bound and Dansili (GB) in that year's GI Breeders' Cup Mile. He became the oldest winner of the GIII Toboggan H. at the age of eight in 2003. He retired with 17 wins overall from 42 career starts and earnings in excess of $2.2 million. Affirmed Success was originally retired to the Kentucky Horse Park and featured in the daily 'Parade of Breeds' show, but when soundness issues precluded his continued participation, he was transferred to Old Friends.

“He was such an incredible race horse, and he had such a great personality,” said Schosberg. “Beside his obvious talent, he had class, was brilliant, and was a joy to train. He always put in his best effort. And with his high cruising speed and running style he was exciting for the fans to watch, too.

“You think of a horse like that as the iron horse, as indestructible,” Schosberg added, “but being in this business my entire life, you know that day is going to come. But he had an incredible life. He had a great life on the track and an incredible life in his aftercare at Old Friends.”

“I like my horses the way I like my people, honest and hardworking, and Affirmed Success completely embodied that,” said jockey Richard Migliore, who rode Affirmed Success to four victories, including the 2002 Carter. “He was as hard-working and tenacious as any horse that I've ever been around, and I am happy to have been a small part of his history. I take comfort in knowing that he had a great twilight of his life.”

“He was one of my first horses, and he was a great champion,” said owner-breeder Al Fried, Jr. “I am so sorry to lose him.”

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Breeders’ Cup Classic Champion Alphabet Soup Euthanized At Old Friends Due To Chronic Kidney Disease

Multiple graded stakes winner and 1996 Breeders' Cup Classic Champion Alphabet Soup was euthanized Jan. 28 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, KY., where he has been pensioned since 2015. The cause of death was chronic kidney disease.

At 31, the gray son of Cozzene was the oldest living winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Bred in Pennsylvania out of the Arts and Letters mare Illiterate, Alphabet Soup was a late bloomer for owner Georgia B. Ridder, winning his first stakes at age four when he captured the 1995 Native Diver (GR3) and the Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap (GR2).

In 1996 he was the victor in the San Antonia Handicap (GR2), the Pat O'Brian Handicap (GR3), and the San Pasqual Handicap (GR2) en route to his greatest triumph, the 1996 Breeders' Cup Classic (GR1), where he defeated the “invincible” Cigar as well as that year's Preakness Stakes winner Louis Quatorze—all while setting a new track record at Woodbine.

Retired in 1998 to Adena Springs having captured 10 of 24 starts and earnings of over $2.9 million, Alphabet Soup sired numerous stakes winners, among them Grade 1 winners Egg Drop and Alphabet Kisses, and champions Our New Recruit, Phantom Light, and Sovereign Award winner Alpha Bettor.

“I'm saddened by the news today of Alphabet Soup's passing,” said Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron, who piloted Soup to his Breeders' Cup win. “I truly enjoyed my relationship with Soupy, and he will always have special place in my heart. He represented the U.S. well when he bested the Cigar and Louis Quatorze in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Rest in peace old friend.”

“It won't be the same around here without Soup,” said Old Friends President and founder Michael Blowen. “Over these seven years he was a delight to be around with his sweet nature and enormous popularity. He brought joy to everyone.

“His best friend, the donkey Gorgeous George, will miss him terribly,” added Blowen, “and so will everyone on the farm. We are so grateful to Frank Stronach and everyone at Adena Springs for giving us the privilege of retiring this fabulous champion.”

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