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Ballindaggin 1985 - 2008
Ballindaggin, the stately 23-year-old, New York-bred chestnut who swept
the 1987 New York Stallion Series and defeated an international field in
the 1988 Molson Export Challenge, was humanely euthanized on July 22 at
the Hagyard Equine Institute. The multiple stakes-winner of $946,894 in
just 14 starts recently was diagnosed by Dr. Doug Byars as suffering from
severe back problems brought on by degenerative arthritis. The decision to
euthanize was made in consultation with Dr. Byars, Dr. Hunt and Old
Friends President, Michael Blowen. Ballindaggin had resided at the Old
Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Kentucky for two
years. He was donated to Old Friends by Idaho owner-breeders Bob and
Robbie Waters who visited him often during his retirement.
"Ballindaggin was one of our kindest, most intelligent residents," said
Blowen. "He was farm manager Janet Beyersdorfer's favorite retiree. But
he told us it was time. His eyes had turned from proud and courageous
to insecure. We wanted him to go with his dignity intact. He'll never
be forgotten." A public memorial service will be held later this summer
at Old Friends.
Old Friends began as a retirement and rescue facility for pensioned Thoroughbreds. Then news broke of the inconceivable death of Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand in a slaughterhouse in Japan in 2002 (read more about Ferdinand). The discovery gave even more impetus to our organization. "We went from getting five emails a day to hundreds," noted President and founder Michael Blowen. We knew such a death must never happen again. And so the plan became to bring at risk racehorses--those whose racing and breeding careers had come to an end--to Old Friends, provide them with the dignified retirement they deserve, and open the space to the public. By promoting these one-time celebrated horses through a campaign of education and tourism, we realized we could draw attention to all retired Thoroughbreds and all equines in need.
We are the only rescue / retirement facility that accepts stallions, & so we take exceptional pride in our pensioned champions, among them 1988 Eclipse-winning Turf Champion, Sunshine Forever & one of the last great sons of Damascus, Ogygian. In addition to our pensioned stallions, Old Friends is home to some very deserving retired mares & geldings. (See Our Horses).
Old Friends hosts two to five tours daily (See Visit Us), and while our guests come to visit a few ex-racehorses, they leave having been touched by the heart of a Thoroughbred hero. |
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