Swain | Horse Racing Free Tips

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.”

The post Swain and Dumaani Euthanized at Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

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.

The post Shadwell Donates Six Pensioned Stallions to Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Flashback: Silver Charm Narrowly Denies Swain In Third Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup meeting celebrates its historic 25th anniversary on March 27, with six Group 1 races and three Group 2s, including one of the world's premier races, the $12 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Over the next three weeks, the Dubai Racing Club will pay tribute to each of the previous Dubai World Cup winners. Today, we rewind to 1998, when Silver Charm won the Dubai World Cup title for Bob Baffert. It was the first of many successful outings in the UAE for the American trainer.

For those outside of the USA any chance of seeing a winner of any of America's Triple Crown races used to be limited to the television screen. However, all of that changed in 1996 when the Dubai World Cup created a truly viable option for owners and trainers of America's best to consider international raids.

Cigar was the leader and he paved the way for another history making event in 1998 when Silver Charm, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, made his way to Dubai.

Silver Charm's trainer Bob Baffert, who had never left the USA, was able to make the trip to the United Arab Emirates through a hastily arranged passport, to prepare his grey champion for the event.

Just when it was thought that nothing could better the inaugural victory of Cigar and then Singspiel came the epic battle of Silver Charm and Swain, and their jockeys Gary Stevens and Mick Kinane, where it appeared that honor was more valuable than the world's richest prize.

Such was the excitement of that contest that few remember who finished third. For the record books it was the French raider Loup Sauvage, who turned in a personal best.

Silver Charm returned to America with his best performances being a narrow second to Awesome Again (with Swain just behind him in third) in the Breeders' Cup Classic before a win in the Grade 2 Clark Handicap. He returned the following year to win the Grade 2 San Pasqual Handicap, was third in the Donn and Santa Anita Handicaps before returning to defend his Dubai World Cup crown.

He couldn't repeat his heroics of 12 months previously and was beaten a long way from home when only sixth behind Almutawakel. He was retired after his next start when unplaced in the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. Silver Charm was one of the narrowest winners of the Dubai World Cup, however that was his usual method of success, never actually winning his races by big margins, but in winning the Dubai World Cup he defeated a champion in Swain and must be rated as one of the race's very best winners.

The post Flashback: Silver Charm Narrowly Denies Swain In Third Dubai World Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post