Horse Racing
2009 Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility, is pleased to make a very formal announcement: Black Tie Affair, who captured the Breeders’ Cup Classic and subsequently the Horse of the Year crown in 1991, will be pensioned at its Georgetown, KY farm.
While Old Friends is currently home to 13 Breeders’ Cup starters, four Eclipse champions, and multiple GR1 winners, Black Tie Affair marks the arrival of the first BC Classic winner and the first U.S. Horse of the Year titleholder.
In 1991 the son of Miswakifound was victorious in six consecutive graded stakes, including the GR III Stephen Foster and the GR I Philip H. Iselin Handicap. He capped off his banner year with a wire-to-wire upset win in the Classic, and for his efforts the stylish stallion was voted champion older male and Horse of the Year.
He retired with 18 wins from 45 starts and earnings of over $3.3 million
Black Tie Affair entered stud in 1992 at Ben Walden Jr.’s Vinery near Midway, KY., and later stood for several years in Japan. He has sired 35 stakes winners, including GR1 winner Evening Attire.
After returning to the US, the stallion stood at Randy Funkhouser’s O’Sullivan Farms near Charles Town, W.VA., for a partnership managed by Donna Hayes.
“I was at Churchill Downs in 1991 when Black Tie Affair conquered an impressive field led by Summer Squall, Twilight Agenda, Strike the Gold, Unbridled, and other graded stakes winners,” said an ecstatic Michael Blowen, founder of Old Friends. “When Donna called and told me of the syndicate’s decision to let Black Tie Affair come to Old Friends it was unbelievable. We hope his fans come to visit, and we hope he will live a long and happy life here.”
Now 23, Black tie Affair was pensioned due to complications from arthritis.
Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that is home to over 50 retired racehorses. It’s Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY is open to tourists daily by appointment. For more information on tours, reservations at the Old Friends B&B, or to make a donation, contact the farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.
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