From Michael:
When Dogwood Stable’s Cot Campbell named Wallenda after the great high wire artist, Karl Wallenda, 26 years ago, I don’t think he imagined that the son of Gulch would become the equine embodiment of his namesake. Wallenda’s life was like crossing the Grand Canyon every day on a thin wire with only determination and audacity keeping him from the abyss. He lived by his courage and wits and toughness. Ironically, both Wallendas, who lived by their extraordinary feet were, ultimately, betrayed by them. We have..and had…more lovable horses at Old Friends but none of them could surpass the determination and resilience of the incomparable flying Wallenda.

Obit Press Release:
MAY 9, 2016 – Wallenda, a multiple graded-stakes winner, was euthanized today at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, KY., where he had been pensioned since 2007.
The 26-year-old stallion had been dealing with complications brought on by a collapsed suspensory.
“He was, by any definition, a warrior,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “Like his sire, Gulch, who was also with us for many years, Wallenda was one of the toughest and most resilient horses we have ever known.
“Despite his ongoing hoof issues, he maintained a gleam in his eye and vibrant attitude,” Blowen continued. “But today his demeanor changed, and after much discussion with our vet, Dr. Bryan Waldridge, the vets at Hagyard, and the amazing farriers at Dr. Bryan Fraley’s Equine Podiatry, we felt Wallenda’s medical issues had reached the point where we could no longer maintain his comfort or quality of life.”
Named after the famous aerialist Karl Wallenda of The Flying Wallendas, the horse was bred by Peter M. Brant and Haras Santa Maria de Araras, and was later purchased by Cot Campbell’s Dogwood Stables.
A Kentucky Derby contender in 1993, Wallenda went on to win the Pennsylvania Derby, though his greatest victory came later that year in the Louisiana Super Derby, where he beat Saintly Prospector at the wire for the $400,000 purse.
Wallenda [Gulch – So Glad (ARG), Liloy (FR.)] had seven wins from his 33 starts and career earnings of just over $1.2 million.
Entering stud in 1995, the dark bay stallion went first to New Zealand and later at Toyosato Stallion Center in Hokkaido, Japan. Old Friends, with the help of Dogwood, trainer Frank Alexander, members of the stallion’s syndicate, and loyal supporters, returned Wallenda to the United States in 2007.
“We’re extremely grateful to Dr. Fraley and his team for their continued care and creative approach to Wallenda’s welfare and comfort,” said Blowen, “and we’re grateful to Cot Campbell and everyone who helped us bring him home from Japan. He was a favorite here on the farm and we will miss seeing him every day.”

History:
When our flying Wallenda arrived from Japan, his homecoming was fueled by hundreds of fans. Anchored by a substantial contribution from Cot and Anne Campbell of Dogwood Stable, this Grade I winning son of Gulch out of So Glad (ARG) was welcomed by hundreds of supporters. Named after the high wire performer, Karl Wallenda, this magnificent Thoroughbred was most famous for winning the Grade I Super Derby and Grade II Pennsylvania Derby in 1993. This tall, dark and handsome stud has captured the imagination of thousands of fans since his return to the U.S. Bred in Florida by Peter Brant and Haras Santa Maria, he campaigned wearing the distinctive Dogwood silks for trainer Frank Alexander and jockey Herb McCauley. Wallenda earned $1,205,929 in just 33 lifetime starts. Special thanks to Dogwood’s Mary Jane Howell who visited Kiri’s Clown and asked about Wallenda. Because of her, he is here. We are honored to welcome him home.

———————-
4/2/07
Wallenda arrived in New York this morning and was transferred to the quarantine facility in Newburgh. We are told he is doing great and is very rambunctious. He even broke his halter! He’ll leave there Wednesday afternoon and arrive in Kentucky Thursday. He’ll go through his next quarantine phase at Hurstland Farm before coming over to Old Friends. We thank each and every one of you who made this possible with your donations, kind words and support. Please come visit Wallenda and all the Old Friends horses when you can.

4/1/07
WALLENDA IS IN THE AIR!! The plane refueled in Anchorage (yes, Alaska!) and is on it’s way. Wallenda should be landing sometime about midnight in New York. There were no expected weather delays or complications. Welcome home to the States, Wallenda!

3/21/07
Old Friends has purchased Wallenda. He was vanned from his farm in Hokkaido yesterday and will be in quarantine until he leaves Japan next week with a scheduled arrival at JFK/NY on April 1. Wallenda will be quarantined at the quarantine facility in Newburgh, New York for three days and, then, vanned to Kentucky. He will be quarantined at Hurstland Farm until he passes the various tests required by State and Federal law. Then, he will be vanned the three miles from Hurstland to Old Friends. Thank you so much for all your help. We still need to raise about $25,000 before March 28. But I’m certain we can do it. Special thanks to Megumi Igarashi for her patience and, especially, her concern for these great old Thoroughbreds. She assures us that Wallenda is in superb condition and we’re really looking forward to having him join all of his other colleagues (including Bull inthe Heather who beat him in the Florida Derby) at Old Friends. I hope you will all come to visit him and see the physical manifestation of your wonderful generosity. I will keep everyone posted as we move along.

3/12/07
Your contributions for Wallenda’s return to the States have been outstanding. We thank each and every one of you for your help and support.

Cot Campbell and Dogwood Stables are contributing a substantial amount toward the total of $58,000. but we are still short of our goal. If we can’t raise the funds this month we’ll have to wait until late summer to bring him home.

Thanks so much for your continuing support.

Michael
contact@oldfriendsequine.org
502-863-1775

From Michael:
When Dogwood Stable’s Cot Campbell named Wallenda after the great high wire artist, Karl Wallenda, 26 years ago, I don’t think he imagined that the son of Gulch would become the equine embodiment of his namesake. Wallenda’s life was like crossing the Grand Canyon every day on a thin wire with only determination and audacity keeping him from the abyss. He lived by his courage and wits and toughness. Ironically, both Wallendas, who lived by their extraordinary feet were, ultimately, betrayed by them. We have..and had…more lovable horses at Old Friends but none of them could surpass the determination and resilience of the incomparable flying Wallenda. Obit Press Release:
MAY 9, 2016 – Wallenda, a multiple graded-stakes winner, was euthanized today at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, KY., where he had been pensioned since 2007.
The 26-year-old stallion had been dealing with complications brought on by a collapsed suspensory.
“He was, by any definition, a warrior,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “Like his sire, Gulch, who was also with us for many years, Wallenda was one of the toughest and most resilient horses we have ever known.
“Despite his ongoing hoof issues, he maintained a gleam in his eye and vibrant attitude,” Blowen continued. “But today his demeanor changed, and after much discussion with our vet, Dr. Bryan Waldridge, the vets at Hagyard, and the amazing farriers at Dr. Bryan Fraley’s Equine Podiatry, we felt Wallenda’s medical issues had reached the point where we could no longer maintain his comfort or quality of life.”
Named after the famous aerialist Karl Wallenda of The Flying Wallendas, the horse was bred by Peter M. Brant and Haras Santa Maria de Araras, and was later purchased by Cot Campbell’s Dogwood Stables.
A Kentucky Derby contender in 1993, Wallenda went on to win the Pennsylvania Derby, though his greatest victory came later that year in the Louisiana Super Derby, where he beat Saintly Prospector at the wire for the $400,000 purse.
Wallenda [Gulch – So Glad (ARG), Liloy (FR.)] had seven wins from his 33 starts and career earnings of just over $1.2 million.
Entering stud in 1995, the dark bay stallion went first to New Zealand and later at Toyosato Stallion Center in Hokkaido, Japan. Old Friends, with the help of Dogwood, trainer Frank Alexander, members of the stallion’s syndicate, and loyal supporters, returned Wallenda to the United States in 2007.
“We’re extremely grateful to Dr. Fraley and his team for their continued care and creative approach to Wallenda’s welfare and comfort,” said Blowen, “and we’re grateful to Cot Campbell and everyone who helped us bring him home from Japan. He was a favorite here on the farm and we will miss seeing him every day.”

History:
When our flying Wallenda arrived from Japan, his homecoming was fueled by hundreds of fans. Anchored by a substantial contribution from Cot and Anne Campbell of Dogwood Stable, this Grade I winning son of Gulch out of So Glad (ARG) was welcomed by hundreds of supporters. Named after the high wire performer, Karl Wallenda, this magnificent Thoroughbred was most famous for winning the Grade I Super Derby and Grade II Pennsylvania Derby in 1993. This tall, dark and handsome stud has captured the imagination of thousands of fans since his return to the U.S. Bred in Florida by Peter Brant and Haras Santa Maria, he campaigned wearing the distinctive Dogwood silks for trainer Frank Alexander and jockey Herb McCauley. Wallenda earned $1,205,929 in just 33 lifetime starts. Special thanks to Dogwood’s Mary Jane Howell who visited Kiri’s Clown and asked about Wallenda. Because of her, he is here. We are honored to welcome him home.

———————-
4/2/07
Wallenda arrived in New York this morning and was transferred to the quarantine facility in Newburgh. We are told he is doing great and is very rambunctious. He even broke his halter! He’ll leave there Wednesday afternoon and arrive in Kentucky Thursday. He’ll go through his next quarantine phase at Hurstland Farm before coming over to Old Friends. We thank each and every one of you who made this possible with your donations, kind words and support. Please come visit Wallenda and all the Old Friends horses when you can. 4/1/07
WALLENDA IS IN THE AIR!! The plane refueled in Anchorage (yes, Alaska!) and is on it’s way. Wallenda should be landing sometime about midnight in New York. There were no expected weather delays or complications. Welcome home to the States, Wallenda! 3/21/07
Old Friends has purchased Wallenda. He was vanned from his farm in Hokkaido yesterday and will be in quarantine until he leaves Japan next week with a scheduled arrival at JFK/NY on April 1. Wallenda will be quarantined at the quarantine facility in Newburgh, New York for three days and, then, vanned to Kentucky. He will be quarantined at Hurstland Farm until he passes the various tests required by State and Federal law. Then, he will be vanned the three miles from Hurstland to Old Friends. Thank you so much for all your help. We still need to raise about $25,000 before March 28. But I’m certain we can do it. Special thanks to Megumi Igarashi for her patience and, especially, her concern for these great old Thoroughbreds. She assures us that Wallenda is in superb condition and we’re really looking forward to having him join all of his other colleagues (including Bull inthe Heather who beat him in the Florida Derby) at Old Friends. I hope you will all come to visit him and see the physical manifestation of your wonderful generosity. I will keep everyone posted as we move along. 3/12/07
Your contributions for Wallenda’s return to the States have been outstanding. We thank each and every one of you for your help and support. Cot Campbell and Dogwood Stables are contributing a substantial amount toward the total of $58,000. but we are still short of our goal. If we can’t raise the funds this month we’ll have to wait until late summer to bring him home. Thanks so much for your continuing support. Michael
contact@oldfriendsequine.org
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