Multiple Stakes Winner Eternal Orage Dies

Eternal Orage, a multiple stakes winner on the New England circuit, died July 15 at Old Friends retirement center of an apparent heart attack. The son of Eternal Prince was 25 and had been pensioned at Old Friends near Georgetown, Ky., since 2006.

Bred and raced by Alfred DiRico, Kentucky-bred Eternal Orage won or placed in 40 of 65 starts and earned $336,116. Included in his 17 wins were the Sam McCracken Memorial Handicap at Rockingham Park and two editions of the Old Ironsides Handicap at Suffolk Downs.

Eternal Orage stood at stud at Elberton Hill Farm in Maryland, Mill Creek Farm in New York, and Bri-Mar Farm in Massachusetts before going to Old Friends. During his stud career, he sired 14 winners and two stakes-placed horses for total progeny earnings of just over $700,000.
 
"Eternal Orage was a personal favorite," said Old Friends president Michael Blowen. "I saw him win several races in New England, including the Sam McCracken Memorial, a handicap named for the late Boston Globe turf writer and one of my dearest friends. Eternal Orage kept his own counsel. He displayed a quiet confidence and never caused any trouble. While often overshadowed by his (Old Friends) neighbors Tinners Way and Williamstown, there was nothing not to like about him."