THE WICKED NORTH (Far North), who was honored with an Eclipse Award as the
champion older male of 1994, was humanely euthanized Thursday at the Hagyard
Equine Medical Center near Lexington, Kentucky, due to complications from an
intestinal lipoma strangulation.
The 22-year-old stallion had been pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred
retirement facility near Georgetown, Kentucky, since 2008.
“He was a great champion,” said Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old
Friends, when making the announcement Thursday morning.
“He was fine last night, but Kent Ralstin, our assistant farm manager,
discovered his discomfort early this morning. The Wicked North had a ton of
class. And it was all on display at the end.”
A California hero campaigned by trainer David Bernstein, owner Phil Hersh,
and regular rider Kent Desormeaux, The Wicked North compiled a record of
17-8-4-1 and earned nearly $1.2 million on the track. His stakes victories
include the Oaklawn H. (G1), Californian S. (G1), San Antonio H. (G2), Bing
Crosby H. (G3) and the San Francisco H. (G3).
Famously, The Wicked North had his most impressive triumph and most painful
defeat in the same race. In the 1994 Santa Anita H. (G1), he won by 1 1/2
lengths, only to later be disqualified for interference in a widely disputed
decision. His demotion was brought back into the public eye recently in the wake
of the Santa Anita H. on March 5, where Game on Dude (Awesome Again) was not
disqualified, but allowed to keep his hard-fought victory.
Following the Big ‘Cap, The Wicked North proved he was much the best when he
returned to capture the Oaklawn H. and the Californian, where he not only set a
track record for 1 1/8 miles over the Hollywood Park course, but solidified his
Eclipse win.
Later that year, during the 1994 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), the then
five-year-old suffered a suspensory injury that ended his racing career. As a
stallion The Wicked North stood in California, New York, and lastly at True
North Farm in Kentucky. But in 2006 he suffered a near-fatal bout of EPM (equine
protozoal myeloencephalitis) that ended his stud duties.
At Old Friends the handsome chestnut was known for his kind demeanor and
easy-going personality, and he quickly became a fan favorite. Jockey Desormeaux,
an Old Friends supporter, was among his frequent visitors.