I don’t see why the wouldn’t have tried to sell him back to the US? I’m sure quite a few farms would’ve been interested in purchasing him. Sick, either way. 
- L.
Je suis un salamander. J’entrerai dans le feu mais je ne brûlerai pas.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>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. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Note to remind myself to visit with Cigar while horse showing at the Kentucky Horse Park this weekend. Thank goodness for KHP and his owners!
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by fernie fox:
Tb industry saying, they back trying to prevent Slaughter is ridiculous.
What do they intend to do with all their horses that can’t make it on the track?.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Try reading the link posted above entitled “Where would all the horses go?”
What is your industry group? What have they done to prevent slaughter of their horses if they are unsuitable for their intended discipline or need to be retired?
You have rehabbing OTTBs under your handle. You’d do well to learn to have a little respect for those actually in the industry who do the same. Because frankly, I don’t know a soul who would give you the time of day coming on to the backside with that type of attitude towards the industry. And rightly so.
Two Toofs
(formerly - but still - NDANO)
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ridin’ Fool:
Note to remind myself to visit with Cigar while horse showing at the Kentucky Horse Park this weekend. Thank goodness for KHP and his owners!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Cigar is owned by an insurance company (the one that held the policy on him). I love the KHP - how wonderful for us random tourist to get to see these great guys, and what a great life they have there.
This is terrible, and horribly sad. 
I saw him in person, he was such a kind stallion, our family was able to have our picture taken with him. I will scan and post it later, (after I get a premium membership). To have him meet his end like this, there are no words. He was an American champion, maybe now the racing industry might think a little more about exporting our champions. I am sure some regional market would love to have had a Derby Winner available. Heck the Sport Horse World would have been happy to use him. Its not always about the almighty dollar, RIP Ferdinand.
I am sure every racing fan knows that if Sunday Silence failed at stud, where he would have ended up 
. I really hope they bring War Emblem home, very soon. I am keeping my fingers crossed for Charismatic, War Emblem, Forty Niner, French Deputy, Black Tie Affair, etc.
I read the two articles in the above post.
In the first, the author suggests that a simple contract be drawn up that says the horse is to be returned to the owner.
Nice idea but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will work. I speak from personal experience.
It is hard to get a horse back once they are dead.
So very sad about Ferdinand and Exceller.
poltroon, thrareworse things than death,however rtheconditions under which horses go to slaughter arehorrendous; some years ago HSSUS did a study on Tbhorsesgoing to slaughter, comparing their bloodlines to those of horses in thetriplecrown races; the coup degrace, if you can can call cal it that was footage of a horse in the slaughter house; ifyou ever have a chance to see it, do ,so, but, be prepared for a horrifying sight, far worse than a horse breaking downon thetrack and dracing on a broken leg; I have acopy of hat show;have never watched it since the night i tatped it off thelocal news show; but,once Iam moved,september 1st, ihope,i will find the tape and lend it to anyonewho might be i terested, iwould suspectthst HSUS wouldhave a copy and conclusions from their study available; I can’t tellyou when it was donebefore1996, but do havethe name ofone personon thcommittee/task force; It isNOT euthanasia
breeder of Mercury!
remember to enjoy the moment, and take a momento enjoy!, and give thanks for thesewonderful horses in our lives.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by fernie fox:
It is time these owners that export their horses there, are outed.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
If you’d read the article thoroughly, you’d see that it was his owner/breeder who was trying to get him back to the states and resulted in this story being found out.
The racing industry is the one who has published this story. No one is trying to hide anything nor do they need to be ‘outed’.
Said Dell Hancock:
“That’s just disgusting,” said Dell Hancock, whose family operates Claiborne Farm, upon hearing the news of Ferdinand’s likely fate. “It’s so sad, but there is nothing anyone can do now except support John Hettinger’s efforts to stop the slaughter of Thoroughbreds in this country. That wouldn’t change anything in Japan…to have this happen to a Derby winner is just terrible.”
His caretaker at the farm in Japan said:
“I want to get angry about what happened to him,” Kaibazawa added. “It’s just heartless, too heartless.”
Gato Del Sol was saved from a fate similiar to that of Exceller by his breeder:
“Standing at Stone Farm, Gato Del Sol never lived up to expectations at stud, although he did sire some useful horses. He was sold to stand in Germany beginning in 1993, as it was hoped that European breeding would nicely compliment the strong turf and distance aspects of his pedigree. Six years later, after hearing the disturbing news of Exceller’s untimely death in a Swedish slaughterhouse, the Hancocks bought Gato Del Sol back and immediately pensioned him. The Derby winner now enjoys his days in retirement, spending his time in a paddock at his birthplace and enjoying the attention of visiting fans.”
Acting like the racing industry has the market cornered on heartless members isn’t going to do any good here, and it’s extremely unfair to paint the entire industry with the same brush. And in fact, the racing industry is doing more than any other right now to stop the slaughter of horses in this country and most involved do NOT want to see this type of thing happen.
Joint statement issued by the Jockey Club, NTRA and TOBA:
[I]"In recent months bills have been introduced in the House of Representatives that would outlaw the slaughter of horses for human consumption.
Though not our intention to become involved in any political maneuvering, we felt it incumbent on us to make a statement concerning our beliefs on horse slaughter. We are definitively opposed to the slaughter of Thorough-breds and urge all those involved in the Thoroughbred industry to support our ever- expanding rescue and adoption efforts and to work together to find humane means of dealing with the problems presented by Thoroughbreds no longer suitable for racing or breeding."[/I]
From the Director of Fasig-Tipton, Jockey Club Member, and trustee for the NYRA, John Hettinger:
Where would all the horses go?
We’re not a bunch of evil little trolls cackling & rubbing our hands together for an extra couple hundred of dollars and quite frankly, as a member of the industry, I’m getting a little sick and tired of being painted as such. What likely happened to Ferdinand is horrifying and heartless, but blaming this on his owner, who tried to get him back and then resulted in this story being reported, is pretty heartless as well.
Ask yourself this - What has your discipline/industry/horse community done to prevent slaughter lately? Most breed industries won’t even declare slaughter as unnecessary, calling it a ‘necessary evil’.
From the horse.com http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.asp?fid=4171&dpt=5
Horse Slaughter Legislation
Quote:
“A bill to ban the slaughter of horses in the United States as well as the transportation of horses to slaughter has been re-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, only this time there is a new player in the game. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has gone on record as being in full support of the bill.”
"In a news release, the SAPL said that the legislation had the backing of horse industry organizations, “including the New York Racing Association (NYRA), National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), and Breeders’ Cup.”
In contrast, from the same article:
"“The AAEP recognizes that the processing of unwanted horses is currently a necessary aspect of the equine industry, and provides a humane alternative to allowing the horse to continue a life of discomfort and pain, and possibly inadequate care or abandonment.”
“In addition, the AAEP recognizes that the human consumption of horse meat is a cultural and personal issue and does not fall within the purview of the association, whose mission is the care of the health and welfare of the horse throughout its life.”
Elsewhere, the American Horse Council states:
“…leading equine veterinary and regulatory organizations such as the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the USDA have experts who make professional recommendations and enforce regulations, ensuring that horses destined for human consumption are treated humanely and with dignity.”
The APHA and AQHA have also taken pro-slaughter positions. The APHA even testified in favor of slaughter legislation in TX. So whether or not you personally are agreeable or not to the slaughter of horses, be sure that you know who is doing what to either prevent or continue slaughter of horses before whipping out that broad brush.
So here you have the JC, the NTRA, the NYRA, and the TOBA speaking out against slaughter. And you have the AAEP, the AHC, the AQHA and APHA for it. Things aren’t perfect in the racing industry, but we are doing more as a group to end slaughter than any other breed industry.
Two Toofs
(formerly - but still - NDANO)
Re: Our Mims
She now has a wonderful home. However, she was also an example of one that “slipped through the cracks” until someone found out her situation and gave her the home she has now.
This just makes me so angry!! I can’t get over the stupidity of that decision either…its all about money, and yet someone HAD to know that a Derby winner and a Champion is worth more alive in the US than his per price pound. Why wouldn’t they offer him for sale here? It just seems so senseless! 
I wonder what will happen to War Emblem??
Fernie, I WISH we were funded by more owners and breeders, which is why I posted this. We are funded by other groups within the Thoroughbred Industry so that is a start. My heartfelt wish with this awful tragedy is that it will bring more funding to those trying to make a difference, whether it’s helping stallions find safe retirement homes or helping any horse “at risk” at the track.
Many here have done their part and taken an OTTB for a new career. Whinnies to you all.
Nancy
Nancy
We can all be part of the solution:
‘Old Friends’ May Bring Back Strike the Gold, Sea Hero
by Steve Haskin
Date Posted: 7/21/03 2:08:31 PM
Last Updated: 7/21/03 10:11:00 PM
The wheels are in motion to bring Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Strike the Gold, as well as Derby winner Sea Hero, back to the United States from Turkey, where both have been standing at stud.
The project is headed by Kim Zito, wife of Strike the Gold’s trainer Nick Zito, and Michael Blowen, former operations director for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, who has gone out on his own and founded Old Friends, an organization to find homes for retired stallions.
After leaving the TRF, Blowen moved to Midway, Ky. where he opened a small horse memorabilia store called Hoofprints. When Kim Zito called and told him she was interested in getting Strike the Gold back, he thought it was a great idea. Blowen is working with Kentucky attorney Richard Vimont, who was attorney for John Gaines for many years and now works with Rick Trontz of Hopewell Farm, who has donated a portion of the farm as a home for Old Friends’ retired stallions.
Blowen and Vimont plan to meet shortly with Lane’s End’s Bill Farish in the hope of using his father’s (William Farish III) political influence before negotiations begin with the Turkish Jockey Club. Farish currently is serving as U.S. ambassador to Great Britain.
Blowen, a former movie critic and entertainment writer for the Boston Globe, had worked part-time at Suffolk Downs in order to be around the horses, while owning a few bottom-line claimers. After retiring from the Globe he was offered a job with the TRF, for whom he worked for a year and a half before going out on his own.
“I had once written a story on an old horse named Saratoga Character,” Blowen said. “Kim felt so sorry for the horse she bought him and eventually had him sent to the TRF’s farm at the Blackburn Correctional Facility between Lexington and Midway, Ky. I eventually left the TRC, feeling I could raise more money on my own. I opened my little memorabilia store in Midway and donated 50% of the profits to horse retirement. I came up with the idea to have a retirement facility for old stallions, and I wanted to name the organization Old Friends from the title of Barbara Livingston’s book. I called Barbara and got her OK, as well as the OK of the Blood-Horse (whose Eclipse Press published the book). Last week, we started up our web site, Oldfriendsequine.com.”
About a week ago, Blowen received a call from Kim Zito, who told him she had heard about his organization and was in the process of trying to get Strike the Gold returned from Turkey.
“He’s getting older now, and I don’t want to see him go to slaughter when he’s finished being a stallion,” Zito said. "I had been talking to someone from Turkey and I asked him what they do to stallions who have outlived their usefullness. He said, ‘We eat them.’ That was very upsetting, and when I told Nick what I wanted to do he was very excited about it. I tried to contact the Turkish Jockey Club, but the farm manager was busy in a meeting and I couldn’t get in touch with him. That’s when I called Michael and told him about my idea. He said he would also contact (Sea Hero’s trainer) Mack Miller to see if he wanted to get involved with bringing Sea Hero back from Turkey when he is retired from stud duty. Now that Michael has gone full throttle with this, his ultimate goal is to raise enough money every year to buy back one stallion a year from overseas and bring them to the farm.
“Strike the Gold will be the first stallion. Our main concern is figuring out a way to negotiate with the Turkish Jockey Club in a way where they don’t ask a ton of money for him, just because they think we’re willing to pay anything. All the money will be coming strictly from donations. With everything that’s happening in the world now, it would be a nice gesture on their part if they worked with us on this.”
Blowen, who is in the process of looking at other prospective sites for a farm of their own, has some interesting plans in store. “Once we’re sure we can get Strike the Gold, we’re going to have a grass roots campaign and form sort of a reverse syndicate,” he explained. “We’re going to sell certificates for $50 each, signed by Nick Zito. So for 50 bucks, you can own a Kentucky Derby winner, and feel good about bringing him back here from Turkey. We’re going to have a fundraiser (on July 23) at Hopewell Farm. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and we’ve gotten great response so far, and a lot of support from the racing and breeding industry. A horse like Strike the Gold will be a terrific tourist attraction, as would Sea Hero and other famous retired stallions. Our goal is to have our own place ready by next year’s Derby. We’re planning on having 10 2-acre paddocks. On each paddock will be the logo of the farm where the horse last stood in the United States, the horse’s race record, and the colors of his silks. And each horse will have his own TV monitor that shows replays of his biggest races. This is a great time, with Seabiscuit putting the emphasis back on the horses. If we can get Strike the Gold back it’ll send chills down people’s spines.”
All Kim Zito can do now is wait and hope. “I’ve got my fingers crossed,” she said.
I CAN spell, I just can't type and I am too blind to proofread InfoPop's teeny tiny font. [img]http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]How about a push for the Breeders Cup coverage to include a Eulogoy piece on Excellor and Ferdinand and the efforts to get back Strike the Gold?
Not much face to be saved with millions of viewers finding out how such a great animal was treated.
And the piece should include the efforts of segments of the TB industry to prevent this kind of thing - but it would be a HUGE EYE OPENER for many to get this kind of information as a part of that type of broadcast.
Simply REPUGNANT!!
It makes me ill to think that simply because he wasn’t a successful breeding stud, as they desired, that he was simply disposed of. Who gives anyone that right? He made millions for owners and this is what he gets in return when the dollars - make that Yen - stop rolling in? Actually it likely wasn’t even a monetary issue.
They have to save that oh so precious “face” … the embarrassment of a horse investment gone sour.
I suppose these sob’s would have had all the KHP retirement horses - like Cigar - as dinner long ago. The Brits aren’t perfect but I would bet my last dollar this wouldn’t happen in England by comparison!
I concur that thankfully someone wrote this story as I can only hope that JS Company (the Japanese group that started the spiral downward) will be shunned from any public events and stubbed at any Kentucky stable.
Lordhelpus,
That is a fantastic plan. I’ll buy my share now!!
Just in case anyone is interested in the Hettinger connection to the article, two years ago he started Blue Horse Charities. This non profit organization takes donations at the Fasig Tipton Sales and then “pools” the funds to distribute them to other non profit groups that perform rescue, rehab and placement of these at-risk horses into new homes.
I can honestly tell you that without their support CANTER Ohio could not be able to help the amount of horses we take out of Thistledown and Beulah Park. In our two years we have taken over 200 horses that are at risk and found homes for over 160.
Please do go to Blue Horse Charities at www.bluehorsecharities.org to learn more.
Nancy
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> 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.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
How do you figure.
It probably never crossed the man’s mind that somebody would want to buy a washed up stallion - heck, that’s why he went to Japan…
And when you look at the traffic of TBs around the world, there aren’t to many that come into the US from other than Europe countries, followed by the central and south american countries.
I have not yet seen a Japanese bred horse anywhere…leads me as industry ousider to believe that Japan is the end of the road.
So no, Watanabe isn’t the sole bad guy, but greedy people who are just too happy sending there horses that way!
Heather – Sunday Silence is gone. I can’t remember if he died on his own or was euthanized, but he was sick for a while and he is gone now.
“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
I’m going to go home and hug my ReRun horse.
This is oh so sad, but unfortunately, it happens quite often. The amount of good racing stock that goes to slaughter is unbelievabel…in particular, standardbreds here in Canada. Friends of mine once purchased a daughter of Suny’s Halo at a meat auction for 500 dollars…she was only 4 and wasn’t competitive enough on the track.
I got my wonderful horse from a conscientious race owner who gelded him when it became apparent that he wasn’t productive as a stud, and he gave him to me free of charge. I have owned him for eight years now and wouldn’t sell him for the world! Supporting horse rescue foundations and causing a ruckus at meat auctions will definitely help save some of these horses.
Wherever you are Ferdinand, may you rest in peace…
Myguyom.
Well, this article just ruined my day. Ferdinand won the Kentucky Derby, was Horse of the Year, and earned over $3.7 million. He deserved a good life for as long as he lived.
What happened to him is totally sickening. 
Beth – a reporter tried to track down Ferdinand, who went to stand at stud in Japan several years ago (but he wasn’t a very successful sire). The reporter got the runaround for a while, but it seems that Ferdinand went to slaughter sometime in 2002.
“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
