Grade 1 veteran Daytona takes up residence at Old Friends

Daytona has found a new home at Old Friends (Benoit Photos)

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in
Georgetown, Kentucky, announced Thursday the arrival of multiple Grade 1 winner Daytona.
The Indian Ridge chestnut was bred in Ireland
by the Irish National Stud and campaigned stateside by conditioner Dan
Hendricks.

A six-time stakes winner, the gelding was in the best form of his
career in 2007 and 2008 when he won the Hollywood Derby, Oak Tree Derby and San Gabriel Handicap in late 2007, and three of his
first four starts of 2008, including the Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood
Park.

In 2008, Daytona finished 10th to super mare Goldikova in the
Breeders’ Cup Mile at
Santa Anita after tearing a tendon midrace. He attempted to return to the track in 2010 but could not recover his form
and was retired. In 18 starts, he racked up career earnings of $991,690 to go
along with an 8-2-3 mark.

Now 10-years-old, Daytona has been donated to
Old Friends by his current owners, Jocelynn Morgan and her husband, veterinary
surgeon Dr. Joseph Morgan of Lexington, Kentucky. Jocelynn Morgan had retrained Daytona for a
hunter-jumper career but soundness issues have continued to hamper his progress
and she felt permanent retirement was now in his best interest.

“Daytona is such a cool little horse — very bold and fun to
ride,” she said. “We are saddened to see him leave our farm but happy
that he will get to show off his huge personality to his admirers at Old
Friends.”

“Daytona is a wonderful addition to our farm,” said Michael
Blowen, Old Friends president and founder. “We’re certain he’ll be very popular
with visitors. We can’t thank the Morgans enough for entrusting their horse to
us.”