pensioned stallions | Horse Racing Free Tips

Airdrie Stud, a longtime supporter of Old Friends, has sent MGSW McCraken (Ghostzapper) to reside at the Thoroughbred retirement farm as of Monday, Mar. 25, the non-profit said via a press release early Wednesday morning.

The 10-year-old stallion was donated to the farm courtesy of Airdrie, who has made three prior contributions to the Old Friends roster.

“It is already evident to me that this well-mannered multiple stakes winner is going to be a real hit with our many visitors to Old Friends,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “We are grateful to Bret Jones and all the folks at Airdrie Stud for giving McCraken such a fulfilling retirement and a chance to be celebrated by racing fans everywhere.

Bred and raced by Whitham Thoroughbreds, McCraken, out of the Seeking the Gold mare, Ivory Empress, was foaled on Apr. 13, 2014 in Kentucky. The homebred, trained by Ian Wilkes, closed out his racing career with six wins–three of them graded stakes–and $869,728 in earnings over 14 starts.

McCraken began his stud career at Airdrie Stud in 2019 and he was pensioned following his 2023 season.

“It makes all of us at Airdrie very happy to know that McCraken will live out his retirement in the best possible care,” said Bret Jones, president of Airdrie Stud. “Michael Blowen is a hero of ours and has been a wonderful friend since the earliest days of Old Friends. He began the farm with a vision and has built it into one of the most inspiring legacies in the history of our sport. Airdrie joins the Whitham and Wilkes families in thanking Michael, John Nicholson and the great team at Old Friends for giving McCraken, and all of the horses in their care, the retirement they deserve.”

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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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