California Sire Benchmark Pensioned
Prominent California stallion Benchmark, sire of champion Points Offthebench and several other grade I winners, has been pensioned from stud duty due to fertility issues, Ballena Vista Farm announced April 21.
Alydar
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Alydar
Haskin: The Selling of the 1989 Triple Crown
It was 25 years ago this spring. There hadn't been a sweep of the Triple Crown in what then seemed to be an interminable 11 years. read blog
R.A.C.E. Fund Online Auction Begins May 25
The Retirement Assistance and Care for Equine Fund (R.A.C.E. Fund), a 501 C 3 non-profit organization, launches its spring fund drive with an online auction on eBay May 25 at 8 p.m. The auction ends June 1.
Cauthen, Pincay Recall Affirmed's Progression
This year's Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner will ship to Churchill Downs to begin Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) preparations but the most recent Triple Crown winner took a much different path.
Country Day Retired to Stand at Crestwood
Bertram, Elaine, and Richard Klein's multiple stakes winner Country Day will enter stud in 2013 at Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm near Lexington.
Steve Cauthen to Sign Autographs at Belmont
Hall of Famers Steve Cauthen, who 34 years ago piloted Affirmed to become the 11th and most recent Triple Crown winner, and Jorge Velasquez, who rode runner-up Alydar, will autograph postcards May 26 at Belmont Park.
Cauthen Compares Affirmed, I'll Have Another
Steve Cauthen sees comparisons between Affirmed, the colt he rode to the 1978 Triple Crown as an 18-year-old youngster, and I'll Have Another, poised to become the first 3-year-old to do it since.
Doug O'Neill the Morning After 5/20/2012
Doug O'Neill comments on the rivalry between Bodemeister and I'll Have Another with comparisons to Alydar and Affirmed as well as future plans. watch video
Online Auction to Benefit Rescued Horses
The R.A.C.E. Fund, non-profit organization established in 2004, will launch its spring fund drive with an online auction on eBay starting March 24 to help raise funds for racehorse retirement and rescue from slaughter.
Gio Ponti to Stand at Castleton Lyons
Castleton Lyons' three-time homebred champion Gio Ponti has been retired from racing to stand at stud in 2012 at the Lexington farm.
Texas Stallion Seneca Jones Dies at Age 21
Seneca Jones, a 21-year-old son of Alydar, died of an apparent heart attack Aug. 1 while in his paddock at the Asmussen Horse Center near Laredo, Tex.
Grazen Is New Benchmark for Alydar Line
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
California homebred Grazen's first graded win is more proof that Benchmark is the true heir to Alydar's male-line legacy.
Alysheba Remembered at Memorial Service
Preston Madden, who bred Alysheba, called the 1988 Horse of Year and racing Hall of Fame member "a gift from heaven" during a memorial service for the pensioned stallion at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington April 29.
Best Horse Not to Win the Kentucky Derby
These 10 Thoroughbred greats all ran in the Kentucky Derby, but failed to win. How would you rank them?
Storm Cat to Serve as a QH Stallion
Storm Cat, a leading sire who was pensioned last year after experiencing fertility problems at the Young family's Overbrook Farm near Lexington, might return to the sire ranks as a Quarter Horse stallion.
WAVE3-TV Documentary Wins Eclipse Award
WAVE3-TV in Louisville, Ky., is the winner of the 2008 media Eclipse Award for local television, it was announced Jan. 5 by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Turf Writers Association, and Daily Racing Form. WAVE3-TV earned the honor for its documentary on the 30th anniversary of the Affirmed-Alydar rivalry, "A Legend Re-Affirmed â€" The 1978 Triple Crown." The 30-minute telecast aired on May 1, 2008.
Alysheba Arrives at Kentucky Horse Park
Two-time champion and 1988 Horse of the Year Alysheba returned to his Kentucky roots Oct. 31 and took up residence at the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions, where he will be admired by the fans he thrilled in his Hall of Fame career.
Northlands Park to Host Legends on Tour
Northlands Park in Alberta, Canada, will host three riders from Legends on Tour during the track's historic Canadian Derby weekend, it was announced June 4.
Affirmed vs Alydar: Reliving a Rivalry
Jockeys Steve Cauthen & Jorge Velasquez recall the 1978 Triple Crown
Commentary: Just Like Yesterday
- By Dan Liebman
by Dan Liebman - There are moments along the Triple Crown trail that remain forever etched in our minds. For this writer, one of those was April 27, 1978.
Commentary: Affirmed Career
by Patrice Wolfson - Affirmed was both the focal point and cement that would bind my husband's and my wonderful 35-year relationship. From the outset of our marriage in Miami in 1972, we dearly enjoyed driving up to spend time at Harbor View Farm near Ocala
Derby Site Launches New Series
Kentuckyderby.com will now offer racing fans another way to experience the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with the introduction of a journalism series focusing on memorable racing moments and personalities.
Travers Flashback: Controversy Mars Final Battle Between Affirmed and Alydar
- By Steve Haskin
- News, Racing
Immediately following their epic battle in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), in which Affirmed out-dueled Alydar by a head to become the 11th Triple Crown winner, racing fans began looking down the road to the Travers.
Affirmed Exhibition to Open Next Spring
Next spring, the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park will unveil a new, permanent exhibition featuring Triple Crown winner, Affirmed. The exhibition is supported by a loan of Affirmed's racing trophies and memorabilia from his owners, Louis and Patrice Wolfson.
Veitch Appointed as Kentucky's Chief Steward
Retired trainer John Veitch, who conditioned famed multiple grade I winner and later notable sire Alydar, has been appointed as the new chief steward for the Kentucky Horseracing Authority and will serve as the presiding steward at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., beginning July 9.
Sugar and Spice, Alydar's Half-Sister, Dead
Grade I winner Sugar and Spice, a half-sister to grade I winner Alydar and champion Our Mims, died Sept. 13 at the Our Mims Retirement Haven near Paris, Ky.,
On This Day...
April 27, 1978
Alydar
On This Day...
April 2, 1978
Affirmed
Former Calumet Manager Ewell Rice Dies
Ewell Rice, one of the last of the Calumet employees during the farm's glory days of the 1940s and '50s for the Wright family, died unexpectedly Dec. 15 in Lexington.
Champion Our Mims Dead at Age 29
Champion filly Our Mims was euthanized at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. on Dec. 9. The 1977 champion, who was 29 years old, died after suffering a bout of colic and was buried at Calumet Farm near Lexington, Ky.
National Museum of Racing Exhibit Celebrates Affirmed
A new exhibition celebrating the achievements of Affirmed, the last Triple Crown winner, is open at the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs, NY., through December 31.
Door Opened for New Leading Sire of Breeders' Cup Winners
The leading Breeders' Cup sire by earnings, Deputy Minister, does not have an entrant this year. That could open the door for another sire to take over that title, the likely candidates being Storm Cat, Seattle Slew, Mr. Prospector, and Sadler's Wells.
M & M Racing Buys Menifee Colt at Keeneland
M & M Racing paid a top price of $120,000 for a colt from the first crop of Menifee during Wednesday's session of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale.
Keeper of the Flame
By David Schmitz -- The "Glass way" was how business was conducted at Calumet Farm while Margaret Glass was there from April 29, 1940, to Sept. 30, 1982.
Veitch and Calumet Split Again
- By Lenny Shulman
- News, Racing
John Veitch and Calumet Farm have once again parted company. The trainer confirmed Feb. 7 that he has sent 14 newly-turned three-year-olds back to the farm from his New York base.
Lundy-Clinton Deal Investigated
Roger Clinton, half-brother to former President Bill Clinton, is being investigated by a House of Representatives committee for allegedly being paid to help J.T. Lundy, former president of Calumet Farm, get clemency, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Game at Its Best
By John Veitch -- There is not a year that goes by, when the first Saturday in May approaches, that 1978 and Alydar don't come to life in my subconscious.
Remembering Affirmed
- By Ray Paulick
By Ray Paulick -- News of Affirmed's death on Jan. 12 reminded me just how much one horse can elicit emotions that change your life.
Prison for Lundy and Matthews, Alydar Part of Hearing
Former Calumet Farm president J.T. Lundy got a four and half year prison sentence for defrauding a Houston bank out of $65 million. Gary Matthews, the farm's former chief financial officer, got 21 months. Alydar became part of the hearing, but the judge found no conclusive evidence the stallion was killed for insurance money, as federal prosecutors alleged.
Death of Alydar Could Influence Judge
A federal prosecutor wants a Houston judge to punish J.T. Lundy for executing a plan to kill Alydar for insurance money.
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