Flying Filly - Tribute to Ferdinand

In Tribute to Ferdinand

(Nijinsky - Banja Luka, by Double Jay)

1983 - 2002

Soon I shall go to sleep, in hopes of seeing him again.
His intelligent soft eyes, his elegant head.
His soft heart, and his four legs.
For my horse is a dream, a dream of the making.
~Lindsay Turcotte

1987 Horse of the Year & Champion Older Male

$3,777,878 in earnings

Winner of:

1986 Kentucky Derby

1986 Malibu Stakes

1986 Santa Catalina Stakes

1987 Breeders Cup Classic

1987 Hollywood Gold Cup

1987 Goodwood Handicap

1987 Cabrillo Handicap

Second in:

1986 Preakness Stakes

1986 San Rafael Stakes

1986 Los Feliz Stakes

1987 Santa Anita Handicap

1987 Strub Stakes

1988 Santa Anita Handicap

1988 San Bernadino Handicap

1988 San Antonio Handicap

Third in:

1985 Hollywood Futurity

1986 Belmont Stakes

1986 Santa Anita Derby

1987 John Henry Handicap

1988 Hollywood Gold Cup

Ferdinand was retired from racing in 1989 and stood at Claiborne farm.

In 1994 he was sold to Japan where he stood at Arrow Stud from 1995 - 2000.

In 2001, transferred to the care of horse dealer Yoshikazu Watanabe, the chain of events becomes vague.

It is believed that he was sent to slaughter in Japan in 2002.

I can still see the run of Ferdinand and Bill Shoemaker in the 1986 Derby. Sent off at odds of 18-1, I've always rooted for the underdog. The great chestnut horse and the timeless jockey came blazing through on the rail to overtake the favorites and earn a two and one half length victory to garner the roses. Everyone who met Ferdinand remarks on what a sweet and gentle horse he was. His ultimate date with destiny at slaughter was far less than he deserved.

Ferdinand Fee begins in New York.

Horse Slaughter in the U.S. to continue, despite Congressional efforts. How can this be???

Watch the NHPC documentary on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act narrated by Bo Derek.

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