Fabulous Strike, winner of the 2007 Vosburgh Stakes (gr. I), has been pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center near Georgetown, Ky.
The 8-year-old Pennsylvania-bred was retired from racing in September and was donated to Old Friends by his owner, Walter Downey, who bred him in the name Tea Party Stable.
Fabulous Strike (Smart Strike--Fabulous Find by Lost Code) is a five-time graded stakes winner and was one of the nation’s top sprinters between 2007-2009. In addition to the Vosburgh, his victories include the Aristides Stakes (gr. III) in 2007 and the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (gr. II) in 2009. In all, the gelding captured 15 of his 28 starts and earned $1,447,804.
After suffering an injury in 2009, Fabulous Strike was sidelined for 18 months during which he underwent stem cell therapy at Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. He made a “fabulous” return to the track this past April when he went wire-to-wire for long-time trainer Todd Beattie to capture a six-furlong allowance race at Penn National Race Course.
“We are so happy to add Fabulous Strike to our family of retirees,” said Old Friends president and founder Michael Blowen. “We are honored that Walter Downey has entrusted us with his champ.”
Blowen added that Fabulous Strike marks the third Vosburgh winner to retire with Old Friends. He joins 2002 winner Bonapaw and 1998 winner Affirmed Success. “We know Fabulous Strike has many devoted fans,” Blowen continued, “and we can’t wait for them to come out and visit him here at the farm.”
“I’m a small time breeder and he was a once in a lifetime horse for me,” Downey said. “After his last start he came back a bit sore, not at all lame, but in the same breath the trainer and I decided it was time to just let him be a horse.”
Downey, who is Boston-based, adds that while he never met Blowen, he was a long-time fan of the Old Friends founder, who is journalist and former film critic for the Boston Globe.
“When Michael called me about Fabulous Strike we instantly formed a connection,” said Downey.
