Ogygian euthanized at age 32 due to colic complications
Mar 15, 2015 21:43:45 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on Mar 15, 2015 21:43:45 GMT -5
I remember him racing. Now I feel old!
Ogygian euthanized at age 32 due to colic complications
Brisnet
Ogygian, the oldest pensioner at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, was euthanized Saturday, March 14, due to complications from colic. The son of the great Damascus was 32.
The Florida-bred Ogygian was the last of Old Friends's trio of flagship stallions that were returned to the United States from Japan in the early days of the organization. They also included Sunshine Forever, who passed away in 2013, and Creator, who succumbed to colic on February 28 of this year.
Ogygian was repatriated in 2005 along with Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) hero Fraise, courtesy of Fraise's owner, Madeleine Paulson-Pickens.
"When Ogygian first arrived, I received an unexpected phone call from turf writer Russ Harris," said Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends. "He said to me, 'I saw Secretariat and Seattle Slew and all the big races for several decades, and you, sir, have the greatest horse I ever laid eyes on.' I couldn't agree more.
"We are honored that Ogygian allowed us to care for him for these past 10 years," Blowen added. "He was one-of-a-kind."
Ogygian, out of the Francis S. mare Gonfalon, was considered one of the fastest runners of his generation. As a two-year-old, he was unbeaten in three starts, including a stunning victory over eventual champion sprinter Groovy in the 1985 Belmont Futurity (G1). As a three-year old Ogygian vanquished the competition in the Riva Ridge S., Dwyer S. (G1) and Jerome H. (G1).
Trained by Jan Nerud, Ogygian won seven of his 10 starts and was undefeated against Grade 1 company. He retired with earnings of $455,520.
A homebred for Tartan Farms, Ogygian began his breeding career at Claiborne Farms in 1995 before relocating to East Stud in Japan. He sired 23 stakes winners, including such U.S. graded winners as D'Hallevant, Dice Dancer, Ramblin Guy and Fly'n J. Bryan.
A significant broodmare sire, he is the damsire of international juvenile champion and successful stallion Johannesburg, Grade 1 winners Street Boss and Gygistar, and Grade 2 hero Friendly Island.
Ogygian enjoyed the last 10 years at Old Friends (Connie Bush Photo/courtesy of Old Friends
Ogygian euthanized at age 32 due to colic complications
Brisnet
Ogygian, the oldest pensioner at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, was euthanized Saturday, March 14, due to complications from colic. The son of the great Damascus was 32.
The Florida-bred Ogygian was the last of Old Friends's trio of flagship stallions that were returned to the United States from Japan in the early days of the organization. They also included Sunshine Forever, who passed away in 2013, and Creator, who succumbed to colic on February 28 of this year.
Ogygian was repatriated in 2005 along with Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) hero Fraise, courtesy of Fraise's owner, Madeleine Paulson-Pickens.
"When Ogygian first arrived, I received an unexpected phone call from turf writer Russ Harris," said Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends. "He said to me, 'I saw Secretariat and Seattle Slew and all the big races for several decades, and you, sir, have the greatest horse I ever laid eyes on.' I couldn't agree more.
"We are honored that Ogygian allowed us to care for him for these past 10 years," Blowen added. "He was one-of-a-kind."
Ogygian, out of the Francis S. mare Gonfalon, was considered one of the fastest runners of his generation. As a two-year-old, he was unbeaten in three starts, including a stunning victory over eventual champion sprinter Groovy in the 1985 Belmont Futurity (G1). As a three-year old Ogygian vanquished the competition in the Riva Ridge S., Dwyer S. (G1) and Jerome H. (G1).
Trained by Jan Nerud, Ogygian won seven of his 10 starts and was undefeated against Grade 1 company. He retired with earnings of $455,520.
A homebred for Tartan Farms, Ogygian began his breeding career at Claiborne Farms in 1995 before relocating to East Stud in Japan. He sired 23 stakes winners, including such U.S. graded winners as D'Hallevant, Dice Dancer, Ramblin Guy and Fly'n J. Bryan.
A significant broodmare sire, he is the damsire of international juvenile champion and successful stallion Johannesburg, Grade 1 winners Street Boss and Gygistar, and Grade 2 hero Friendly Island.
Ogygian enjoyed the last 10 years at Old Friends (Connie Bush Photo/courtesy of Old Friends
