GEORGETOWN, KY – NOV. 20, 2021- Multiple graded stakes winner Albert the Great was euthanized November 19 at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm based in Georgetown, KY., where he has been pensioned since 2017.

According to attending veterinarian Dr. Bryan Waldridge, the 23-year-old stallion was euthanized due to chronic sinus infection.

Campaigned by owner Tracy Farmer and trainer Nick Zito, the son of Go for Gin had a short but very prestigious career. He earned his first graded stakes as a 3-year-old capturing the GR2 Dwyer Stakes in 2000 and, later that year, the GR1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. At Saratoga that summer he fell just a stride or two short of victory in the GR1 Travers Stakes.

At 4 he captured the Widener Handicap (G3) at Hialeah Park, the Suburban and Brooklyn Handicaps (G2) at Belmont Park, and ran second in four other GR1 contests, including the GR1 Woodward and Whitney Stakes.

Albert the Great retired from racing in 2001 following a 3rd place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic with a 8-6-4 record from 22 starts, 15 of which were made in graded stakes. His lifetime earnings totaled $3,012,490. He entered stud in 2002 at Three Chimneys Farm before relocating to Pin Oak Lane in 2008.

He sired such GR1 winners as Moonshine Mullin, Albertus Maximus, and Nobiz Like Shobiz, who is currently retired at Old Friends.

“Albert the Great was aptly named,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “He was the master and everyone else was just a serf. He didn’t need you to be his friend, just his servant. He was certainly a unique iconoclast and he’ll be missed. Our thanks to Three Chimneys, Tracy and Carol Farmer, and Nick Zito,” Blowen added. “They raised a great one.”

History:
Albert the Great raced for owner Tracy Farmer and trainer Nick Zito. At three years old, this son of Go For Gin won the 2000 Dwyer Stakes (G2) with Richard Migliore riding, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) with Jorge Chavez up. At four he took the 2001 Widener Handicap (3) at Hialeah, setting the track’s final record for a mile and an eighth, 1:45.52. Albert the Great also achieved wins in the 2001 Brooklyn Handicap (G2) and Suburban Handicap (G2), all under Jorge Chavez, besides finishing no worse than 3rd in such celebrated races as the Donn, Whitney, Woodward, and Breeders’ Cup Classic, earning a lifetime $3,012,490 with 8 wins, 6 seconds and 4 thirds in 22 starts. Albert the Great entered stud at Three Chimneys Farm, where he sired Wood Memorial (G1) winner and Old Friends retiree, Nobiz Like Shobiz. In 2008 he moved to Pin Oak Lane Stud in Pennsylvania, completing stallion duty in 2017. Old Friends thanks Mr. Farmer for facilitating Albert’s retirement with us.

Albert the Great raced for owner Tracy Farmer and trainer Nick Zito. At three years old, this son of Go For Gin won the 2000 Dwyer Stakes (G2) with Richard Migliore riding, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) with Jorge Chavez up. At four he took the 2001 Widener Handicap (3) at Hialeah, setting the track’s final record for a mile and an eighth, 1:45.52. Albert the Great also achieved wins in the 2001 Brooklyn Handicap (G2) and Suburban Handicap (G2), all under Jorge Chavez, besides finishing no worse than 3rd in such celebrated races as the Donn,  Whitney, Woodward, and Breeders’ Cup Classic, earning a lifetime $3,012,490 with 8 wins, 6 seconds and 4 thirds in 22 starts. Albert the Great entered stud at Three Chimneys Farm, where he sired Wood Memorial (G1) winner  and Old Friends retiree, Nobiz Like Shobiz. In 2008 he moved to Pin Oak Lane Stud in Pennsylvania, completing  stallion duty in 2017. Old Friends thanks Mr. Farmer for facilitating Albert’s retirement with us.