Silver Ray, a graded stakes winner rescued from potential slaughter, has arrived at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Ky.
According to Old Friends, earlier this summer the horse was discovered at a livestock auction in Mira Loma, Calif. by April Smith. Suspecting he might be headed for a slaughterhouse, Smith bought him for $30. After uncovering Silver Ray's identity, Smith contacted Catherine Trope, founder of the Glendale, Calif.-based Polo Pony Rescue who helped the ailing 24-year-old horse back to health.
An article in the Glendale News-Press about Silver Ray's rescue and recovery came to the attention of Jerry and Ann Moss, who are best known for campaigning the champion mare Zenyatta. Silver Ray was purchased by the Mosses for $80,000 at auction and campaigned by the couple as he won six of 26 starts, including the grade III Hoist the Flag Stakes, and earned $268.532.
The Mosses then worked with Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen to secure Silver Ray, a son of Silver Hawk, a spot at the Kentucky farm.
As a Thoroughbred stallion Silver Ray sired 47 foals in 13 lifetime crops with 11 winners. He was eventually sold to a dressage trainer and had some success as a sire of sport horses.
"Great teamwork brought this wonderful stallion to Old Friends," said Blowen "We're grateful to everyone, including Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, for bringing Silver Ray home."
