Williamstown, a former mile record holder at Belmont Park, has arrived at Old Friends retirement home near Georgetown Ky. He was pensioned from stallion duty after proving infertile this year at Rockin' River Ranch near Winterset, Iowa.
Williamtown came close to being euthanized. Old Friends (Michael Blowen, president) was notified about Williamstown's impending doom by Aubrey Insurance. The Central Kentucky insurance firm had taken possession of the 17-year-old son of Seattle Slew. Old Friends was happy to take him.
"He looks just like Slew," said Sylvia Stiller of Old Friends. "He's a handsome fellow and well tempered."
Williamstown proved successful as a stallion. He has sired 15 stakes winners, including graded winner Vinemeister, and the earners of $12.3 million. He is represented by 14 2-year-olds and seven yearlings this year.
Williamstown was bred by Mickey and Karen Taylor's Equus Breeders. The couple raced Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew with Dr. Jim Hill and his wife, Sally.
As a racehorse, Williamstown scored his biggest win in the 1993 Withers Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont in track-record time of 1:32.79 for owner Peter W. Willmott. In his three years of racing, Williamstown won five of 24 races and earned $360,884. He was produced from the Northjet mare Winter Sparkle.
Williamstown also stood in Kentucky and New York.
