Rebel Stakes winner and Old Friends retiree Clever Allemont was euthanized due to colic the morning of May 26. The son of Clever Trick—Allemont, by Carlemont was 32.
Clever Allemont had spent more than five years at Old Friends after being rescued from the road to slaughter in 2008.
During his race career, Clever Allemont won his first six races. His major scores came in the 1985 Rebel and Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and he placed in three other graded-stakes contests, including the Arlington Classic (gr. I).
Bred in Illinois by A.J. Sweeney, Clever Allemont was trained first by Lynn Whiting, and later by D. Wayne Lukas. He was ridden frequently by jockeys such as Pat Day, Angel Cordero, and Mike Smith. The dark bay or brown horse retired from racing with a record of 8-7-7 from 47 starts and earnings of $316,329.
Clever Allemont entered stud in 1988 at Rainier Stables in Enumclaw, Wash. and was later moved to Double D Farm in Kishwaukee, Ill. where he stood until 1997. He sired 167 foals, 125 starters, and 72 winners for progeny earnings of $1,038,007. Clever Allemont also sired progeny that excelled in show jumping and dressage disciplines.
In November 2008, the aging stallion was discovered in a kill buyer's pen in Kansas. Clever Allemont was thin and had lost his right eye. The Alex Brown Racing Forum's group Fans of Barbaro raised funds to purchase Clever Allemont, and he was moved to safety at Ray and Jeanne Mason's Donegal Ranch in Williamsburg, Kan.
Aftercare worker Diana Baker contacted Old Friends president Michael Blowen, and Clever Allemont took up residence at the organization's Georgetown, Ky. farm in January 2009.
For the next half-decade, Clever Allemont was one of Old Friends' most popular retirees. His story was featured in the media, and he received birthday cards from all over the world.
"Clever Allemont was such a great asset to Old Friends," said Blowen in a release. "He was the kindest, friendliest stallion on the farm. He inspired deaf people because he was deaf, visually impaired people because he enjoyed life though he'd lost an eye, anybody who knew what it's like to overcome hardship. People call Clever Allemont a 'rescue,' but it's really the horses who rescue us."