GEORGETOWN, KY – MARCH 20, 2019 – Danthebluegrassman, a 2002 Kentucky Derby contender, was euthanized Monday March 19, at Park Equine Hospital in Woodford due to an irreparable small intestinal obstruction that was causing chronic colic.

The 20-year-old gelding had been pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement center in Georgetown, KY., since 2008.

A son of Pioneering, out of the Grey Dawn II mare Stay With Bruce, Danthebluegrassman
–named after raconteur Dan Chandler, son of former Kentucky governor A.B. “Happy” Chandler–was campaigned by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and owner Michael E. Pegram.

As a 2 year old the flashy chestnut won the Gold Rush Stakes in wire-to-wire fashion. A year later, he punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby trail with a win in the Grade 3 Golden Gate Derby and a close 2nd in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby.

A long shot nevertheless, on Derby day he was installed at 50-1 morning line odds, but then later scratched after he “tied up” following a routine gallop at Churchill Downs. In June of that year he went on to another victory in the Northern Dancer Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Claimed in in 2005, Dan eventually fell down the ranks and was retired to Old Friends in the spring of 2008 after a career boasting 47 Starts and 8 wins with earnings of $423,794.

“Dan was the man–tough but gentle,” said Old Friends President Michael Blowen. “We were fortunate to know him for more than a decade, and he will be missed by all of us. Special thanks to Dr. Bryan Waldrige and everyone at Park Equine for doing the best for Dan when he needed it most.”

Dan’s life has been a roller coaster. Sired by the royally bred Pioneering (a son of Mr. Prospector and Secretariat’s magnificent daughter Terlingua), Dan was bred by Ledgeland Farms and sold by consignor Dan Mallory to Michael Pegram. Named after Las Vegas raconteur Dan Chandler (son of Governor, Senator and Baseball Commissioner A. B. “Happy” Chandler and uncle of U. S. Representative Ben Chandler) and trained by Bob Baffert, the big chestnut colt certainly began his career among powerful names.

As a 2 year old he won the Gold Rush Stakes in wire-to-wire fashion. As a 3 year old he took the 2002 Derby trail via a win in the Golden Gate Derby (G3) and a close second in the El Camino Derby, scoring the earnings to run in the Kentucky Derby. As it turned out, Dan was scratched out of the Derby, but in June he captured the Northern Dancer Stakes at Churchill Downs. For the next six years Dan continued racing, but eventually, his best racing behind him, he descended through the claiming ranks.

In early 2008 Jim Ponte and Tim Ford expedited his retirement to Old Friends. Dan’s return to Kentucky was celebrated at the Old Friends 2008 Homecoming, where the Gallatin County Youth Bluegrass Band performed their “Ballad of Danthebluegrassman,” and he was honored at the National Bluegrass Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park. His roaming days now done, Dan has settled contentedly into life at Old Friends.  His gentle disposition and gleaming chestnut coat have made him a big favorite with kids and adults alike.