old friends | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘Non Fungible Thoroughbreds’ Are 2021’s Worst Holiday Gift On Purpose

Every year, kids around the world beg their parents to get them a pony for Christmas. But horses—especially Lexington, Kentucky's, world-class Thoroughbreds—are super expensive and a huge responsibility. There's got to be a better* way!

Just in time for the Holiday Season, VisitLEX is offering up for sale a collection of “Non Fungible Thoroughbreds,” 10 digital images that look absolutely nothing like the beautiful analog horses that actually live in Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World.

For a fraction of the cost of a real pony, you can buy your little helper one of these pixelated square JPGs of something that looks vaguely equine.

Just imagine the look on your child's face when they finally lay eyes on an 8-bit “OpenSea Biscuit,” “Man o' Snore,” or “The Ohio of Horses.”

Tears of joy, anyone?

Unfortunately, you can't ride these horses. Or pet them. Or feed them. Or, like most NFTs, do much of anything with them. That's because they're a completely computerized representation of a horse that exists solely on every child's favorite online ledger: the blockchain!**

On the plus side, Non Fungible Thoroughbreds require no feeding, training, or upkeep of any kind.

As seen in this launch VIDEO, kids really appreciate the practicality.***

The VisitLEX collection of Non Fungible Thoroughbreds is available now at NonFungibleThoroughbreds.com. And proceeds from the auction will be donated to Old Friends Farm, a nonprofit organization in Georgetown, Kentucky, that provides a dignified retirement for real Thoroughbreds once their racing and breeding careers are over.

“NFTs are definitely hot right now,” said VisitLEX VP of Marketing Gathan Borden, “but they're no substitute for the real deal. You might not be able to get your kids an actual pony, but that doesn't mean you have to disappoint them. You can give them an experience they'll never forget with a convenient, affordable trip to Lexington to see the finest Thoroughbreds in the world.”

*Worse.

**This statement has not been verified.

***They definitely won't.

The post ‘Non Fungible Thoroughbreds’ Are 2021’s Worst Holiday Gift On Purpose appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

’22 Secretariat Calendar Supports Charities

The 2022 Secretariat's Legacy calendar, which features the Triple Crown winner's legendary daughter Weekend Surprise and her descendants, is now available at SecretariatsLegacy.com for $25. Proceeds from the sale of the calendars goes to Bright Futures Farm, an equine rescue and sanctuary accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance; Old Friends, another TAA-accredited organization; and Victory Alliance Ranch, an equine rescue and sanctuary supporting veterans and special needs children.

The calendar series was launched in 2018 and has raised more than $22,000 for charities.

“Racing fans, especially Secretariat fans, have loved the Living Legends calendars, and I hope they will enjoy this new take on Secretariat's legacy through his important descendants,” said writer/photographer Patricia McQueen, whose creative project is part of her research work on Secretariat as a sire.

The post ’22 Secretariat Calendar Supports Charities appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Secretariat’s Legacy Calendar To Benefit Old Friends, Among Other Charities

A new calendar honoring Secretariat features his legendary daughter Weekend Surprise and her descendants. The Secretariat's Legacy calendar is the continuation of a series originally celebrating the last living sons and daughters of Secretariat (“Secretariat's Living Legends”), but with only one son and one daughter left, it was time to make a transition.

While the theme has changed, the goal is the same – to celebrate Secretariat through his descendants and raise much-needed funds for equine charities. For the second straight year, the beneficiaries are Bright Futures Farm, Old Friends and Victory Alliance Ranch.

The calendar series launched in 2018 has raised more than $22,000 for charities through 2021. “Racing fans, especially Secretariat fans, have loved the Living Legends calendars, and I hope they will enjoy this new take on Secretariat's legacy through his important descendants,” says writer/photographer Patricia McQueen, whose creative project is part of her research work on Secretariat as a sire.

The 2022 calendar is all about Weekend Surprise, and she is featured on the cover and in the January spread. Secretariat's stakes-winning daughter was 1992 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, and her important descendants included in the calendar are:

Summer Squall, her son who won the 1990 Preakness Stakes;
A.P. Indy, her 1992 Horse of the Year son who went on to elite status as a sire;
Charismatic, the 1999 Horse of the Year by Summer Squall;
Mineshaft, the 2003 Horse of the Year by A.P. Indy;
Rags to Riches, A.P. Indy's champion daughter who won the 2007 Belmont Stakes;
Bernardini, the 2006 champion 3-year-old colt by A.P. Indy;
Honor Code, A.P. Indy's final champion, a member of his last crop;
Tapit, A.P. Indy's grandson who is a legendary sire himself;
California Chrome, a two-time Horse of the Year and great grandson of A.P. Indy; and
Justify, the 2018 Triple Crown winner and great-great grandson of A.P. Indy (and Storm Cat).

As in previous calendars, the Tony Leonard Collection continues to generously support the series with a beautiful photo of Secretariat after the Preakness Stakes with Ron Turcotte aboard. Mr. Turcotte has kindly agreed to autograph a limited number of calendars to help raise even more funds.

As noted, all profits from the sale of the calendar are allocated to three worthy organizations: Bright Futures Farm, an equine rescue and sanctuary accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance; Old Friends, another TAA-accredited organization; and Victory Alliance Ranch, an equine rescue and sanctuary supporting veterans and special needs children.

The calendars are available for $25 each at www.SecretariatsLegacy.com. Free shipping within the U.S. is included. Everyone who orders a 2022 Secretariat's Legacy calendar will also receive a free four-page tribute to the “Last Secretariats,” who have all been included in the Living Legends series; only 33-year-old Border Run and 32-year-old Trusted Company remain.

The post Secretariat’s Legacy Calendar To Benefit Old Friends, Among Other Charities appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Albert The Great Euthanized At 23

Multiple graded stakes winner Albert the Great was euthanized November 19 at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm based in Georgetown, KY, where he has been pensioned since 2017.

According to attending veterinarian Dr. Bryan Waldridge, the 23-year-old stallion was euthanized due to chronic sinus infection.

Campaigned by owner Tracy Farmer and trainer Nick Zito, the son of Go for Gin had a short but very prestigious career. He earned his first graded stakes as a 3-year-old capturing the GR2 Dwyer Stakes in 2000 and, later that year, the GR1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. At Saratoga that summer he fell just a stride or two short of victory in the GR1 Travers Stakes.

At 4 he captured the Widener Handicap (G3) at Hialeah Park, the Suburban and Brooklyn Handicaps (G2) at Belmont Park, and ran second in four other GR1 contests, including the GR1 Woodward and Whitney Stakes.

Albert the Great retired from racing in 2001 following a third place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic with a 8-6-4 record from 22 starts, 15 of which were made in graded stakes. His lifetime earnings totaled $3,012,490. He entered stud in 2002 at Three Chimneys Farm before relocating to Pin Oak Lane in 2008.

He sired such GR1 winners as Moonshine Mullin, Albertus Maximus, and Nobiz Like Shobiz, who is currently retired at Old Friends.

[Story Continues Below]

“Albert the Great was aptly named,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “He was the master and everyone else was just a serf. He didn't need you to be his friend, just his servant. He was certainly a unique iconoclast and he'll be missed. Our thanks to Three Chimneys, Tracy and Carol Farmer, and Nick Zito,” Blowen added. “They raised a great one.”

The post Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Albert The Great Euthanized At 23 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post