From bloodhorse.com
http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=17051
Sad fate for a champion 
Wonder
“What made her great destroyed her”
Heather - Sunday Silence did die last year. He was pretty much a hero in Japan and lived in luxury until his death.
I am just sick to hear about Ferdinand, but I don’t think we can place any blame on his American owners for what happened. Many other well known stallions have gone to Japan and not been a great success, but have been sold back to their country of origin. When you sell any horse, you just never know for sure what might happen.
“I’ll try being nicer if you try being smarter” 
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> In the same sense racing is racing and the Brits, as I suggested, aren’t without the same woes that are simply part of racing - yet can you think of anything as egregious having occurred there? Snuffing a former Grand National horse because his off-spring were weak?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Actually, one Grand National winner, Hello Dandy, was discovred in very bad shape indeed before being rescued. I’m afraid horses are treated badly wherever one is.
This is something about racehorse rehab in the UK which mentions Hello Dandy:
The UK isn’t a “hold out” against eating horses…it’s more to do with cultural taboos.
But Cigar couldn’t get a mare pregnant - it wasn’t that he was fertile & happened to be a crappy racehorse sire.
Right?
‘O lente, lente currite noctis equi’ - Ovid
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Glimmerglass:
Two Hoofs I think you are trying to make this more into a US slaughter issue which it isn’t.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
No, but the US owners are still put to blame, instead of the folks that actually slaughtered the horse. We are accused of needing to be ‘outed’ and doing ‘too little too late’. HOGWASH. Nothing gets my hackles up more, especially when there are so many of us in the industry that are busting our humps to change things. Those of us in the industry mind you, not folks throwing stones in glass houses.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
It was also a little hard to read your post and discern where you were taking excerpts from article(s), quotes/input from others, and then inserting your points.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That’s what the quotation marks are for.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The issue here was a horse of significant distinguished feats that set him apart from 99% of all other horses. He was imported into Japan a well-known country which makes negligible attempts to save horses after the money-making purpose is done. Those facts have zero to do with US slaughter.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Actually, the original Japanese stallion owner did make attempts to find him a retirement home. And someone besides them was breeding him prior to his apparent demise.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
What I think many people lament is that fact that a horse such as Ferdinand should’ve been afforded a certain higher level of consideration. Had they offered the horse back to any party in the US market there would’ve been takers.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
As should any horse regardless of their accomplishments on the track. For a horse like Ferdinand there are many takers, but no one wants little red mares that have earnings of $500. Because they are not big enough and not the right color. And like the article posted about bringing back Strike the Gold, it doesn’t matter how many or how often the industry tries to do right by their horses. We still are considered the evil of the horse industry so often on these boards. Gets old. I could sit here and list examples of horses from other disciplines being treated horrifically and sent to slaughter after prominent careers as well, but I’m taking care of my house and not trying to make myself feel better by tearing down someone elses.
Two Toofs
(formerly - but still - NDANO)
Two Hoofs I think you are trying to make this more into a US slaughter issue which it isn’t.
It was also a little hard to read your post and discern where you were taking excerpts from article(s), quotes/input from others, and then inserting your points.
The issue here was a horse of significant distinguished feats that set him apart from 99% of all other horses. He was imported into Japan a well-known country which makes negligible attempts to save horses after the money-making purpose is done. Those facts have zero to do with US slaughter.
What I think many people lament is that fact that a horse such as Ferdinand should’ve been afforded a certain higher level of consideration. Had they offered the horse back to any party in the US market there would’ve been takers.
Nothing whatsoever suggested he was ill, in pain, diseased, etc. - let alone sterile! Therefore an unnatural death of such a well-liked, desired, and productive horse is the disgusting aspect.
Hmm … my wealthy daughter doesn’t sound as good as I thought she would on that Stradivarius violin … oh well toss it in the fireplace
Similarly – how about Our Mims in the US?
This is horrible, but unfortunately retired race horses end up in slaughterhouses in this country way too often. I think it is equally horrible whether it is Ferdinand or a no name $4000 claimer. I blame the money hungry people in the racing industry (our country and Japan)who lack the integrity to be responsible for their horses for their entire lifespan. I only hope that this tragedy further motivates more people to make a solid committment to the welfare of their horses.
This story is so very sad. I especially took it to heart as my lovely, “dream come true” horse, Young At Heart (aka peach), is sired by Ferdinand. He was a 94 colt that my father bred, out of an excellent racing mare. He went on to be one of Ferdninand’s more successful progeny earning over 350,000 in some good races. Due to some major growth spurts he was gelded early on, and once his career was over (at age 6), after being rehabbed from an injury he came to me. He’s stunning, looks a lot like his daddy, and is very sweet. If I wasn’t so computer illiterate I’d post some pictures.
I went out to his field and gave him a big hug this morning after reading the sad news and thanked my/his lucky stars that he received a happier fate than his sire.
peachy
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Flashy Gray:
I will delicately say that what is so shocking about this story is that Ferdinand reached the pinnacle of success in the sport and yet he still met this fate. [quote]
It is equally shocking to myself and many, many, MANY folks in the industry as well, I guarantee you.
[quote]
Is it unfair to single out one horse when there are so many out there, little red mares who haven’t won but $500? Yes, perhaps. But you have to start somewhere.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ah, but we (the racing industry) have already started there. We are struggling to see that all horses off the track have a fair shot at a new life. I don’t know how the industry could make it any clearer than it does. Whether or not people choose to listen is another thing.
I’m grateful that you can appreciate how PISSED you can get when someone is trying to stick a red hot poker in the eye of an industry every time anything at all comes up that is less than pleasant without giving any credit where credit is due and whipping out the old broad brush of sanctimony. Look at all of the expressions of sorrow from folks around the world in reaction to this story. How do you think that makes the owner of the horse, who tried to get him back, feel? Good lord, way to kick a man when he’s down, huh?
And for heaven’s sake, anyone who has ever sold a horse cannot dare to point fingers. We all know that a buy-back clause is only worth as much as the piece of paper it is written on. Imagine trying to enforce it overseas? And I can tell you right now that most people probably don’t realize, until now, that this happens to horses in Japan. I, for one, thought they would only be interested in slaughtering drafts because that is what I understand the preference is there. We’ve all been told these stallions are treated like Kings in Japan.
The retirement program for horses at our track was started by a groom here. I’ve never seen anyone from outside the industry helping out, but you can bet this backside will be there to lend a hand whenever it is needed.
Two Toofs
(formerly - but still - NDANO)
NMS,I am sorry if I said something misleading,I did not mean to insinuate that you were funded by them.
I meant that I hope that before long they would want to offer financial help to you And other organizations that do find homes for these horses.
It seems as though many trainers really are trying to do better by these horses.
fernie fox
“I have lived my life-it is nearly done-.I have played the game all round;But I freely admit that the best of my fun I owe it to Horse and Hound”.
I had naively thought that the sad end of Exceller would ensure that this never happened again to one of the sport’s notables.
Guess I was wrong…
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I am glad this story was brought out for all to see.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
So am I.
Very sad… 
I’m no racing expert, but I do try to keep my level of knowledge up, and I simply had NO idea that the Japaneses racing industry had this “reputation.” I am just totally sick about this, because the horse deserved better.
Now I’m starting to hyperventilate about other stallions I know are over there. Wait, Sunday Silence passed away already, right? Or was he just sick? I remember he was ill, but my sleep deprived brain can’t remember if he died or not. Anyone know how my favorite big black horse is doing–never thought I’d say this, but I guess part of me hopes he succumed to his illness. Better that than the fate poor Ferdinand met.
When can I buy a certificate for Sea hero? He was the only Derby winner I ever picked . . .
I was involved with the racing/Show jumping and eventing industries for many years prior to coming to US.
I do feel that the Owners are responsible.
In recent years there have been many "wonderful"organizations Stepping up to the plate to deal with this problem.
I am glad to see that the racing industry itself,in the last couple of years, is now getting involved. They should be thoroughly embarrassed for not doing so before now.
Thanks to media coverage nowadays,these atrocities will not be swept under the rug anymore. I hope.
Unfortunately there will always be some horses that fall through the system.
I can do very little ,as so many other small folks,I can only help one or two at a time.
Canter and all of the other great organizations are bursting at the seams working with these horses.I hope the TB breeders and owners are generous in their donations to them.
Maybe it would be a good idea to suggest that all race tracks,gambling facilities donate say 10 percent of their income to a fund.
That money could be used to set Canter type organizations in every state that makes money from these animals.I include greyhound racing in this idea.
THe day that I STOP seeing TBs crushed into trailers,going from one rinky dink auction to the next, on their horrible trip out of Florida Will be the day I stop being concerned about it.
I really admire the organizations that do this job,they will have a special place in heaven as far as I’m concerned.
fernie fox
“I have lived my life-it is nearly done-.I have played the game all round;But I freely admit that the best of my fun I owe it to Horse and Hound”.
libgrrl – Our Mims was featured in Barbara Livingston’s wonderful book “Old Friends” (photographs and write-ups about older TBs that were successful racehorses). According to the book, Our Mims is living in Kentucky with a woman named Jeanne Mirabito. It sounds like she has a wonderful, loving home. She still has fans who visit her. 
“There are three kinds of men. The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” - Will Rogers
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> And for heaven’s sake, anyone who has ever sold a horse cannot dare to point fingers. We all know that a buy-back clause is only worth as much as the piece of paper it is written on. Imagine trying to enforce it overseas? And I can tell you right now that most people probably don’t realize, until now, that this happens to horses in Japan. I, for one, thought they would only be interested in slaughtering drafts because that is what I understand the preference is there. We’ve all been told these stallions are treated like Kings in Japan. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
All good points.
I re-read the article in BH again. And no, we shouldn’t be passing unconditional judgement on the American industry:
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> After efforts by the farm staff to place Ferdinand with a riding club failed, he passed into the hands of a Monbetsu, Japan, horse dealer named Yoshikazu Watanabe and left the farm Feb. 3, 2001. No attempt was made to contact either the Keck family or Claiborne Farm. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Watanabe is the real ‘villan’ in this sad tale. I’m reserving judgement on the folks at Arrow Stud but here’s my question: why oh why didn’t they contact someone ANYONE in the U.S., recognizing that the horse’s history could make him a valuable commodity over here? That SOMEONE in the U.S. would pay to ship him back here?
The poor guy was failed on so many levels.
My computer would not allow me access to the story regarding Ferdinand…what exactly ended up happening to him? (Guess we have a filter at work so it would not let me open…)
Beth Davidson
Black Dog Farm
Connemaras & Sport Horses
This wonderful boy won nearly 4 million dollars for his owners.
No further comment.
fernie fox
“I have lived my life-it is nearly done-.I have played the game all round;But I freely admit that the best of my fun I owe it to Horse and Hound”.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BLBGP:
Why do so many top TB racing sires seem to be sold overseas?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The thing is that they weren’t top sires, only top racehorses. When they didn’t pan out as sires, the big name made them interesting/valuable to overseas breeders who don’t have access to big name stallions.
He might have made a wonderful sport horse sire. What a loss.
I was touched that someone updated his listing on Del Mar.
