Silver Charm pensioned, to live at Old Friends

Three Chimneys Farm and Old Friends Farm jointly announced Wednesday that

1997 champion three-year-old colt and Hall of Fame inductee Silver Charm has

been retired from breeding in Japan and will return to the United States per an

understanding that was reached at the time he was acquired by the Japan

Bloodhorse Breeders' Association (JBBA).

Silver Charm raced for the late Robert Lewis and his wife, Beverly, earning

$6,944,365, winning 12 of 24 races over four years. The Lewis family have agreed

to pay for the horse's flight from Japan to the United States.

"We thought the best thing for a horse of his stature was to let him live out

his retirement years at Old Friends, a place that will provide him the

opportunity to receive his many fans," said Case Clay, president of Three

Chimneys. "I'd like to thank the JBBA for their excellent care of Silver Charm

throughout the past 10 years and the Lewis' for everything they are doing for

Silver Charm."

Three Chimneys Farm is offering a small donation to Old Friends for their

magnanimous gesture to make this horse available to his fans.

"Everyone at Old Friends is overjoyed," said farm president Michael Blowen.

"He's my favorite horse of all time. And it's a great story combining the

generosity of the Lewises, the foresight of Three Chimneys and the continuing

support from the JBBA."

Old Friends tweeted that Silver Charm is expected to arrive at the farm in

late November.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Silver Charm won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness

during his championship campaign, but narrowly lost his Triple Crown bid to

Touch Gold in the Belmont Stakes.