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Will’s Way Passes Away at Old Friends Cabin Creek

Will’s Way (Easy Goer–Willamae, by Tentam), whose racing career was highlighted by a hard-fought victory in the 1996 GI Travers S., passed away Dec. 24 at Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center, NY. He was just over a week shy of celebrating his 28th birthday.

Campaigned by Rudlein Stable and trained by H. James Bond, Will’s Way didn’t begin his career until early in his sophomore season, but was a neck second to GI Preakness S. hero Louis Quatorze (Sovereign Dancer) in the GII Jim Dandy S. at Saratoga before turning the tables on that rival and Skip Away (Skip Trial) in the Midsummer Derby. Seventh to Old Friends Kentucky inmate Alphabet Soup (Cozzene) in the 1996 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, Will’s Way was runner-up in the 1997 GII Suburban H. before besting Formal Gold (Black Tie Affair {Ire}) by a nose in the 1997 GI Whitney H., with Skip Away a distant third. Will’s Way had a brief stud career, siring GI Cigar Mile H. hero Lion Tamer and GSW Willy O’The Valley.

“We all loved him so much,” said Joann Pepper, owner and manager of Cabin Creek. “He would take our breath away when he decided to run. I will miss brushing his tail and kissing his star–I’ll even miss letting him chew on me,” Pepper added, referring to Will’s sometimes cantankerous personality. “It was such an honor to care for him.”

“He was such an exciting racehorse, and we were so thrilled to have him with us first in Kentucky and then in New York,” said Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen. “Our heart goes out to our friends at Cabin Creek. Joann and Will had a very special bond, and we know he will be sorely missed by everyone there.”

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Multi-Millionaire War Story Arrives At Old Friends For Retirement

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm based in Georgetown, Ky., announced Tuesday the arrival of multiple graded stakes winner War Story.

After a six-year career, the Kentucky-bred son Northern Afleet, now 8, has been pensioned by owners Imaginary Stables and Glenn Ellis. The gelding's last start was the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic in August.

War Story broke his maiden first time out in 2014 in a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. He has earned seven victories in all, including the G2 Brooklyn Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park, the G3 Monmouth Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park, and the G3 Harlan's Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream.

The game chestnut never shied from top competition, however, facing eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the 2015 Kentucky Derby and again in the Breeders' Cup Classic, California Chrome in the 2016 Pacific Classic, and Arrogate in the 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes.

War Story has raced coast-to-coast, from Saratoga to Santa Anita, making 40 starts in all earning eight wins, seven seconds and six thirds for total career earnings of $3,271,996.

“He is such a special horse,” said co-owner Ellis. “He could run any distance, he just never gave up, and he could do anything. I'm so happy now,” he added, “because he can just live a happy life and he's earned it.”

“I love War Story,” said Old Friends's founder and President Michael Blowen. “He always tried. I even loved him as a handicapper because he often filled out my trifectas and superfectas at a nice price. But nothing compares to feeding him mints and carrots every day. He's absolutely adorable.”

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TRF Elects Three New Board Members

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has announced the election of Anita Motion, John B. Cannie, Esq., and Sarah Stein to the organization’s Board of Directors. The TRF Board provides leadership for carrying out the Foundation’s mission to save Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter.

“On behalf of the TRF Board of Directors, I warmly welcome Anita, John and Sarah” shared Patrick H. Mackay, Chairman of the Board. “Each of them is a valuable addition to the TRF’s leadership. We appreciate the diversity and perspective they each bring to the organization. Their experience and backgrounds will most certainly strengthen our Board.”

Anita Motion was born in Colchester, England. After a career as an exercise rider in England and France where she specialized in the early training of young Thoroughbreds, she emigrated to the U.S. with her future husband Graham. Her riding career ended after a back injury, so she now concentrates on the business aspect of Herringswell Stables.

“I am thrilled to join the board of an organization that is very close to my heart and looking forward to becoming more involved.” said Motion. “I am very impressed with the direction the TRF has gone in the last few years and I am proud to add my name to the foundation that takes a lead role in Thoroughbred retirement and lifelong care.”

Sarah Stein resides in Baltimore, Md. and is an accomplished horsewoman. She grew up riding and showing horses and has long been involved with training and riding steeplechase horses and foxhunters. She managed Green Spring Valley Hunt Club Stables from 2000-2009 and earned a degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling in 2014. She was the Program Manager for the TRF Second Chances Program in Sykesville, Md. from 2016-2020.

“I am honored to be a part of an organization that not only serves horses, but also serves people,” Stein said. “I have seen the profound impact the horses have had on the participants of the Second Chances Programs. I look forward to being a part of expanding the ways in which TRF can reach and change more people’s lives.”

John B. Cannie, Esq. is an attorney with the Law Office of Snyder, Kiley, Toohey, Corbett & Cox, LLP in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He and his wife Brooke reside in Saratoga, are both passionate about horses and have spent many years around the Thoroughbred industry. Her family has been involved in Thoroughbred racing for generations; her father is Billy Badget and her stepfather is Mark Henning. John earned his law degree at the University of Kentucky College of Law.

“Horses and horse racing have been a lifelong source of joy for me and my family,” Cannie said. “Joining the TRF Board enables me to return some of that joy to the equine athletes who have worked so hard to support this industry and deserve a long, safe and happy retirement from the racetrack.”

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Florida Thoroughbred Charities Kicks Off Online Charity Auction

From coveted racing memorabilia, halters of champions and unique gifts to original art, handcrafted goods, quality services, and one-of-a-kind experiences, Florida Thoroughbred Charities kicked off the Horse Capital of the World® auction online benefiting Thoroughbred retirement and youth education programs.

The FTC auction runs until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8 and is sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' & Owners' Association and media partners Horse Capital Television and Florida Equine Communications. Kathleen' O Connell Racing Stables is also a sponsor of the first online auction held by the charity which has been unable to host its annual fundraisers at the FTBOA Gala and FTC charity golf tournament.

Thanks to the generous support of the thoroughbred community and the vendors who service the industry, FTC has 57 items up for bid and is adding items daily. Featured items include the halters of Justify, Speightstown, Wildcat Heir and the Arrogate-Songbird filly. A number of original art pieces and photographs are part of the offering and are by Alaura Allen, Linda Reitz, Tina Powers, Carol Moore Demme, Butch Crawford and Serita Hult.

Historical memorabilia includes a framed Hialeah opening day photo and Kentucky Derby programs for Carry Back, 1961, and Triple Crown winner Affirmed, 1978. Autographed items include a photo of Colonial Affair signed by Julie Krone, a Secretariat by Fred Stone limited edition plate signed by jockey Ron Turcotte, a signed first edition of Secretariat Reborn by award-winning author and thoroughbred breeder Susan Klaus and an American Pharoah print signed by jockey Victor Espinoza.

FTC is the charitable arm of the FTBOA. Since 1990, FTC has strengthened and supported the community by raising more than $3.5 million for charitable organizations within the thoroughbred industry, the city of Ocala, Marion County and the state of Florida. The charity primarily funds the Second Chances Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) farm at the Lowell Correctional Institution giving women there a chance to learn equine skills so they can be placed on farms for employment after release.

In 2020, the farm celebrated its 20 year anniversary and is the only female inmate program partnering with retired thoroughbreds in the United States. The program has a low recidivism rate. The former racehorses each inmate works with positively change their lives. FTC also funds youth education including scholarships.

The auction can be viewed at https://www.32auctions.com/horsecapitaloftheworld and most items are available for purchase worldwide and will be shipped or can be pick-up in Ocala, Fla. Check item descriptions for details. The charity is also accepting donations or sponsorships by making checks payable to FTC, 801 SW 60^th Avenue, Ocala FL 34474 or call 352-629-2160 for details.

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