Grade II winner and millionaire Arson Squad was released from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington the morning of Feb. 16. He moved into his new home at the Old Friends equine retirement facility near Georgetown, Ky., later the same day.
A 9-year-old son of Brahms, Arson Squad suffered sesamoid fractures and ruptured the suspensory apparatus in his right foreleg in a training mishap at Gulfstream Park in Florida late last year. Dr. Larry Bramlage operated on the dark bay or brown gelding soon afterward at Rood & Riddle.
“They put Humpty Dumpty back together again,” said Samantha Siegel of Jay Em Ess Stable, which raced Arson Squad. “They put in a plate and pins and wired everything back together. The biggest concern when they did the surgery was whether there would be infection or not.
"I was surprised when I got the surgery report how extensive the damage was. He was a good patient. He’s a smart horse.”
Jay Em Ess purchased Arson Squad for $100,000 from Clarkland Farm at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July select yearling sale. The gelding captured seven added-money events, including the 2006 Swaps Breeders’ Cup Stakes (gr. II), 2008 Meadowlands Cup Handicap (gr. II), and 2007 Strub Stakes (gr. II).
Arson Squad finished his racing career with nine victories in 35 career races and earnings of $1,190,181. He finished second once and third eight times. Rick Dutrow trained Arson Squad for most of his career, but the gelding also spent time with conditioner Bruce Headley.
“I’ll come to Kentucky sometime in April and I’ll go see him,” Siegel said. “I’ve never been (to Old Friends), but I’ve always donated money to them. He has been a wonderful horse and a lovely surprise.
"I never dreamed that when I brought a Brahms out of a Green Dancer mare (Majestic Fire) that I would get a dirt horse. He was always very honest and tried very hard for us. He’s what every owner would love to get when they go spend $100,000 at a sale, a millionaire.”
E & D Enterprises bred Arson Squad in Pennsylvania. In 2003, Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigned him to the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November select mixed sale, where he was purchased as a weanling by Clarkland, as agent.