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Major California Runner Variety Road Dies

Variety Road, a California grade I winner who battled such stars as Broad Brush, Snow Chief, and Ferdinand, was euthanized Jan. 14 at age 30 because of the infirmities of old age.

Champion Snow Chief Dies

Snow Chief, the 1986 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner and champion 3-year-old male, died Preakness Day of an apparent heart attack. The 27-year-old son of Reflected Glory stood at Eagle Oak Ranch near Paso Robles, Calif.

Winning Kentucky Derby Post Positions

Most winners of the Kentucky Derby since 1900 have come from the rail and post 5.

Through The Lens: '80s Flashback

Take a trip to the '80s as I revisit the victories by Ferdinand, Alysheba, Winning Colors, and Sunday Silence. As well as some of the other characters I found along the way.

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Ferdinand Derby Anniversary Impetus for Slaughter-Ban Push

Supporters of legislation that would ban the transport of horses to slaughter for human consumption are hopeful the measure will pass Congress this year, a co-sponsor of the bill said May 3. Meanwhile, members of the Kentucky horse industry have united to form the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, a shelter and adoption service for unwanted horses of all breeds.

New York Horsemen and NYRA Initiate Ferdinand Fee to End Horse Slaughter

In an effort to help end the slaughter of horses in the United States for human consumption, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the New York Racing Association have partnered to launch the Ferdinand Fee, a completely voluntary $2 starting fee for owners and horsemen wishing to contribute. The program honors Ferdinand, who won the 1986 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and was slaughtered for meat in Japan in 2002.

Remembering Ferdinand Rally Call for Horse Rescue Groups

Remembering Ferdinand was the rally call for the National Horse Protection Coalition during Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships weekend Oct. 29-30 at Lone Star Park. The group is attempting to draw attention to the end of horse slaughter for human consumption.

Ferdinand Family Line to Continue Through Purchase of Mares

The Ferdinand family line will live on thanks to U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky) who has purchased three daughters of the late Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner and champion. Ferdinand died sometime in 2002, most likely in a slaughterhouse in Japan, following an unsuccessful career at stud.

Ferdinand Family Line to Continue Through Purchase of Mares

The Ferdinand family line will live on thanks to U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky) who has purchased three daughters of the late Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner and champion. Ferdinand died sometime in 2002, most likely in a slaughterhouse in Japan, following an unsuccessful career at stud.

The Search for Ferdinand

By Barbara Bayer -- Over six months have passed since I reported the tragic tale of Ferdinand. When I set about getting the story, I had little idea of what it would lead to, what far-reaching repercussions the story would have as it set off a conflagration of emotion across the U.S. that spread quickly to Japan and back to me.

Group Begins Campaign to Stop Slaughter

The Equine Protection Network (EPN) kicked off a national horse slaughter awareness campaign in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Indiana with billboards proclaiming, "Keep America's Horses in the Stable and off the Table!" The EPN also has launched a new website, SaveAmericasHorses.com to educate Americans about horse slaughter.

Shoeless

By Ray Paulick -- Shoemaker served as a spiritual leader and confidant to a new generation of riders.

Equine Humanity

By Ray Paulick -- The JRA should take a firm stand and ban the slaughter of Thoroughbreds in Japan.

Genuine Joy and Regret

By Hallie McEvoy -- Unlike Ferdinand and Exceller, when Genuine Risk finally gallops to her final rest, it will be after a life of love and affection from those around her.

Texas Associations Support Protection of Thoroughbreds

As the Seabiscuit movie began winning over national audiences, two influential Texas racing associations renewed their commitment to the protection of Thoroughbreds.

Ferdinand Followup: Owners Promise to Tighten Contracts and Supervision

If there is to be a silver lining in the cloud of Ferdinand's death in Japan, it comes in the manner in which future business transactions will be written, and the heightened awareness that owners' responsibility no longer ceases when a horse is sold. Ignorance is no longer an option, and no one understands that better than the people who have done business selling horses to overseas interests.

Death of a Derby Winner: Slaughterhouse Likely Fate for Ferdinand

Ferdinand, the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner who went on to capture the following year's Horse of the Year title with a dramatic victory over 1987 Derby hero Alysheba in the Breeders' Cup Classic, is dead. The Blood-Horse has learned the big chestnut son of Nijinsky II died sometime in 2002, most likely in a slaughterhouse in Japan, where his career at stud was unsuccessful.

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Reacts to Death of Ferdinand

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is committed to stopping the slaughter of all thoroughbred racehorses no matter what their racing stature.

Not in Vain

Who are we to tell the Japanese or anyone else how they should discard the horses we once loved? Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Slaughter is legal in the United States, and there is nothing that would guarantee Ferdinand would not have ended up in one of the slaughtering plants here if he fell into the wrong hands.

Business Decisions

By Dan Liebman -- The slaughter of American horses after they have outlived their usefulness in other countries could be remedied by contracts stipulating the original owner has the right to buy the horse back if the foreign owner no longer wanted the animal.

Magical Ride

By Ray Paulick -- Fifteen years ago in the 112th running of the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), a 73-year-old trainer put a 54-year-old jockey up on a 3-year-old colt named Ferdinand, and something magical happened. Now Laffit Pincay, like Shoemaker in 1986, is 54 years old, and standing in the twilight of a Hall of Fame career. Can he pull a rabbit out of his hat under the Twin Spires this May 5?

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