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Ferdinand

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Ferdinand Famous memorial

Birth
Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, USA
Death
2002 (aged 18–19)
Japan
Burial
Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Champion Racehorse. Best remembered for winning the 1986 Kentucky Derby. His major wins include the Santa Catalina Stakes, the Malibu Stakes, the Goodwood Handicap, the Cabrillo Handicap, and the Hollywood Gold Cup. Victories from the American Classics or Breeders' Cup include the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Classic. His awards include United States Champion Older Male Horse (1987) and United States Horse of the Year (1987). In 1989, he was retired to stud at the Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky. In 1994, his owners sold him to Japan's JS Company with the understanding that they could buy him back in the future. He spent several years at the Arrow Stud Farm on the northern island of Hokkaido. In 2003, his former owners inquired about bringing him back to the United States but never received a response. After a long investigation, it was discovered the former Kentucky Derby winner had been secretly sent to the slaughterhouse in 2002. The news of his horrific death outraged horse racing enthusiasts from all over the world. In an effort to keep this from happening again, many formed nonprofit organizations that would help transition retired racehorses into second careers or place them in a loving environment where they could live out their last years in peace.
Champion Racehorse. Best remembered for winning the 1986 Kentucky Derby. His major wins include the Santa Catalina Stakes, the Malibu Stakes, the Goodwood Handicap, the Cabrillo Handicap, and the Hollywood Gold Cup. Victories from the American Classics or Breeders' Cup include the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Classic. His awards include United States Champion Older Male Horse (1987) and United States Horse of the Year (1987). In 1989, he was retired to stud at the Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky. In 1994, his owners sold him to Japan's JS Company with the understanding that they could buy him back in the future. He spent several years at the Arrow Stud Farm on the northern island of Hokkaido. In 2003, his former owners inquired about bringing him back to the United States but never received a response. After a long investigation, it was discovered the former Kentucky Derby winner had been secretly sent to the slaughterhouse in 2002. The news of his horrific death outraged horse racing enthusiasts from all over the world. In an effort to keep this from happening again, many formed nonprofit organizations that would help transition retired racehorses into second careers or place them in a loving environment where they could live out their last years in peace.

Bio by: Whispers From The Grave



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: Whispers From The Grave
  • Added: Jul 29, 2012
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94422601/ferdinand: accessed ), memorial page for Ferdinand (12 Mar 1983–2002), Find a Grave Memorial ID 94422601, citing Claiborne Farm Equine Cemetery, Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.