COMMENTATOR TO OLD FRIENDS
Owners Tracy and Carol Farmer Select the Kentucky-based Retirement Farm as home for their Two-time Whitney H. Winner
GEORGETOWN, KY-OCTOBER 2, 2009-Tracy and Carol Farmer have chosen Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY as the permanent home for their two-time Whitney Handicap-winning star Commentator, it was announced today.
The 8-year-old gelding is currently at Mike Evans’ Sheltowee Farm in Versailles, KY and will be shipped, courtesy of Sallee HorseVans, to the 92-acre Georgetown facility on Sunday October 4th.
Old Friends is open to the public and conducts three guided tours daily. Fans are invited to visit with the great son of Distorted Humor along with the 53 other Thoroughbred champions pensioned at the farm.
Campaigned for six spectacular seasons by the Farmers and Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, Commentator ended his career in August having won 14 of 24 starts and a bankroll of well over $2 million. In addition to double victories in the GR 1Whitney, he captured the GR 2 Richter Scale and the $500, 000 Massachusetts Handicap, which he won by 14 lengths.
In 2008, after his five-length Whitney win, Commentator was awarded a Beyer Speed Figure of 120-the highest of any horse all year, including those posted by Horse of the Year Curlin and unbeaten heroine Zenyatta.
Of his 14 career victories, Commentator’s narrowest margin of victory was a neck, when he went wire-to-wire to defeat eventual Horse of the Year Saint Liam in the 2005 Whitney. In six of his wins, the famed New York-bred triumphed by 10 lengths or more.
His last race-an attempt to match the three-time Whitney win records set by Kelso and Discovery-resulted in a third-place finish.
The NYRA feted Commentator’s superlative career by having him parade before fans on Sept. 6 at Saratoga and naming a stakes race for New York-bred 3-year-olds after him.
Despite numerous invitations for their champion, the Farmers selected Old Friends. “I think they do a great job, and we’re going to be helping them however we can”, said Tracy Farmer, who has also campaigned such champions as Albert the Great, Sir Shackleton, Sun King, and Old Friends retiree Hidden Lake, who won the Eclipse award for Older Female in 1997. “And not just for Commentator, but for other horses, too,” he added. “My wife Carol and I want a place for horses such as Commentator to retire, and we want (Old Friends) to be very successful. Michael Blowen just does a terrific job.”
“I am overwhelmed by both the trust and generosity Mr. and Mrs. Farmer has shown toward Old Friends.” said Old Friends founder and President Blowen. “To have a great athlete like Commentator with his huge fan base come to Old Friends is like having Elvis in the building.
“I also want to thank Nick Zito for keeping this horse in such remarkable condition” Blowen continued. “Commentator is retiring perfectly sound, and that alone is a testament to his great training and care over the years.”
Blowen notes that Farmer will also be donating stallion seasons in many of his great breeders to support Commentator and the more than 70 Thoroughbreds cared for by Old Friends. “It’s a tribute to the heart and soul of our workers and volunteers and proof that if you do indeed put the horses’ interest first things will work out,” he added.
On Oct. 20, Old Friends will hold a special celebration called “Jockey Day.” Many of the jocks that rode Old Friends retirees and the newly arrived Commentator will serve as the very special guests. Expected attendees include the Farmers, Derby winner Calvin Borel, Belmont winner Kent Desormeaux, Jockeys star Jon Court, Hall of Famer Chris McCarron, Triple Crown winner Jean Cruguet, and Derby winner Bobby Ussery, among many others.
Commentator’s fans can visit him anytime after Wednesday October 7. He joins recent retirees Black Tie Affair, Jade Hunter, Tour of the Cat, Sgt Bert, Sea Native, Marshall Rooster, and Bluesthestandard.
