Major Winner Ballindaggin Dead

Ballindaggin, who won the inaugural Molson Export Challenge at Woodbine, was euthanized July 22 at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute near Lexington because of severe back problems brought on by degenerative arthritis.

The 23-year-old son of Noble Nashua had resided at Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm near Georgetown, Ky., for two years. He was donated to Old Friends by Bob and Robbie Waters of Idaho, who often visited him.

“Ballindaggin was one of our kindest, most intelligent residents,” said Old Friends’ president Michael Blowen.

Bred in New York by Eaton and Thorne, Ballindaggin won the 1988 Molson Export Challenge (now the Woodbine Mile Stakes, Can-IT) over Canadian champion Regal Classic. As a 2-year-old in 1987, Ballindaggin captured the three races in the New York Stallion Stakes series for males. All three wins came over future Saratoga legend Fourstardave. Ballindaggin retired with four wins from 14 starts and earnings of $946,894 for owner George Layman Jr. John Hertler trained him.

Ballindaggin, who was from the Stop the Music mare Can’t Be Bothered, stood at several farms, the last of which was Singletree Meadow in Idaho.