The Name's Jimmy, who set a stakes record in the 1992 American Derby (gr. IIT), was euthanized March 7 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Ky. due to increasingly severe mobility issues.
The 25-year-old son of Encino had resided at Old Friends since 2007. He retired from racing with a 6-3-2 record from 22 starts and $404,090 in earnings. In addition to the American Derby, in which he set a stakes record of 1:59.41 for 1 3/16 miles on the Arlington Park turf, the chestunt won the 1992 Will Rogers Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park.
Bred in Illinois by Triple D Stables out of the Grey Dawn II mare Dancing At Dawn, The Name's Jimmy was offered at the 1991 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March 2-year-olds in training sale by Nick de Meric, agent, and was bought by agent Chuck Calvin, who recommended him to Brian and Jan Burns of Mount Joy Stables.
The Burns purchased the colt as their first racing prospect.
Brian Burns and his father, Jimmy Burns, had long shared the dream of owning a racehorse, but Jimmy Burns did not live to see that dream realized. His son raced The Name's Jimmy in his memory.
The Name's Jimmy entered stud in 1995 at Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm in Central Kentucky and later stood at Hill 'N Dale Farm in Illinois and Elite Thoroughbreds in Louisiana.
"When Hurricane Katrina came through, Jimmy was lost. He stayed out in the bayou for two days before Pope McLean Jr. found him," Burns said. "It's a wonder he wasn't eaten by an alligator or bitten by a snake. After that, Pope and I called him 'The Survivor. ' "
From 13 crops of racing age, The Name's Jimmy sired 12 stakes horses, six of which won stakes, including multiple stakes winner Suzzona, who earned $653,075. Overall, his offspring earned nearly $6 million.
"The Name's Jimmy was blessed to have owners like Brian and Jan Burns and we were lucky to have Jimmy at Old Friends," Blowen said. "It's always difficult to euthanize one of our great retirees, but Jimmy made it easy. The look in his eye spoke volumes and we were able to help him in his final hour. We're very grateful for all he gave us."