Veteran Racer Red Knight Arrives At Old Friends

GISW Red Knight (Pure Prize) arrived safely at his new home on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky, the retirement farm said in a release Friday morning.

Bred, raced and donated by owner Tom Egan of Trinity Farm, the 9-year-old Red Knight was a stalwart campaigner over 38 races in which he was 12-9-2 with total earnings tallying at $1,886,338.

The highlight of his lengthy career came this year when he won the GI Man o' War S. at Belmont Park May 13, becoming just the third 9-year old to win a Grade I race in New York.

“He has a big personality,” Egan said. “He likes people, but he doesn't suffer fools, whether they're grooms or exercise riders.”

Egan went on to thank trainer Mike Maker, who he believes made all the difference last year after he took over for Bill Mott, and helped the veteran runner capture the Man o' War S.

“I stalked Tom Egan ever since the Saratoga meet concerning Red Knight,” said Old Friends President, Michael Blowen. “I adored Red Knight and knew that, at nine, his racing career was nearing the end. Tom was gracious enough to acknowledge my adoration and, now, his wonderful horse is here. What could be better?”

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Old Friends Resident Tom’s Ready Dead at Age 10

MGSW Tom's Ready (More Than Ready) was euthanized on Monday, Oct. 30 at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, due to complications following colic surgery, Old Friends Farm announced on Tuesday. The 10-year old dark bay stallion was donated to Old Friends by owner Gayle Benson in November of 2020.

The $145,000 Saratoga Select Yearling amassed a career line of 21-5-4-3, $1,036,357 over three seasons and captured the 2016 GII Woody Stephens S. and GIII Ack Ack S., and the 2017 GIII Bold Ruler S. He also placed in six other graded stakes in the care of trainer Dallas Stewart.

“Tom's Ready helped Old Friends a lot,” said Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends. “He was donated by Gayle Benson of GMB Racing, sending a message that a first rate breeding and racing operation trusted us to provide superior retirement and health care for their horse.”

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Spooky Channel Retired to Old Friends

Popular 8-year-old gelding Spooky Channel (English Channel–Spooky Kitten, by Kitten's Joy) has been retired from racing and will be heading to Old Friends Farm, according to a post on X by trainer Jason Barkley.

The four-time graded winner posted a career record of 31-13-6-1 and earnings of $1,380,142. Bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, the $10,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling concluded his career for owner NBS Stable and Barkley with a runner-up finish in the GII FanDuel Kentucky Turf Cup S. at Kentucky Downs Sept. 9.

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Catching Up with 2017-18 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Winner Stormy Liberal

Stormy Liberal is one of a select number of Breeders' Cup winners to repeat the feat. Always dead game, the former claimer's final half-dozen career victories had connections and fans regularly holding their collective breaths as his biggest margin was just a neck. The tough and classy veteran raced on three continents, earned an Eclipse as champion turf male in 2018, and retired to Old Friends after his 2019 season.

“When owner David Bernsen retired Stormy to us, I was thrilled,” said Michael Blowen, president of Old Friends. “The two-time Breeders' Cup winner arrived with a fan following and his owner's love. And earned the respect of everyone at Old Friends who adore him and his best friend, Patch.”

Stormy Liberal (2012 bay gelding, Stormy Atlantic–Vassar, by Royal Academy)

Lifetime record: Ch. turf male, MGISW-U.S., MG1SP-UAE, 37-12-10-4, $2,212,580

Breeders' Cup connections: B-Dapple Bloodstock & Gryphon Investments LLC (KY); O-Rockingham Ranch (2017)/Rockingham Ranch & David A. Bernsen LLC (2018); T-Peter Miller; J-Joel Rosario (2017)/Drayden Van Dyke (2018).

Current location: Old Friends, Georgetown, Ky.

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