TRF Legend Quick Call Euthanized at 35

Retired warhorse Quick Call was humanely euthanized Oct. 8 due to the infirmities of old age, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation reported. He was 35.

Foaled in 1984, Quick Call was the oldest horse in TRF's 650-member herd. In his lifetime he was a successful racehorse, then a riding horse after he was retired from racing in 1990. He finally arrived at the TRF in 2001, and became an equine teacher in TRF's well known Second Chances Program in partnership with New York State's Wallkill Correctional Facility.

"He was truly an exceptional horse and served as a shining example of the versatility of the Thoroughbred breed," TRF stated in a release. "With 86 starts under his girth, he was a warhorse with a brave, strong heart and mind. He became a 'posterhorse' for aftercare, serving as an ambassador for all retired Thoroughbred racehorses.

"Quick Call was in his favorite pasture with his longtime friends when he was put to rest today. He will be buried at Clare Court in Saratoga Springs alongside other racing greats, as he well deserves."

Over the course of his 86-start career for owner Lynda Stokes, Quick Call won $807,817 on the racetrack and established a 16-15-12 record. He especially loved Saratoga Race Course, where Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day guided him to victories in the 1988-89 editions of the Forego Handicap (G2). He just missed a third consecutive win at the Forego in 1990—losing by a nose to Lay Down. Prior to retirement, Quick Call scored an exciting upset victory over Sewickley in the 1990 Tom Fool Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. The son of Quack was trained by Hall of Famers Sid Watters and Warren A. Croll Jr. The Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga is named in his honor.