Funny Cide's Ashes Buried at Saratoga Race Course

Funny Cide  reached his final finish line on Aug. 27 when the popular New York-bred gelding was laid to rest in a peaceful spot at Saratoga Race Course.

The winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1), a portion of Funny Cide's ashes were interred in a garden area behind the clubhouse at the Spa. Half of Funny Cide's ashes were entrusted to Jack Knowlton, the managing partner of Sackatoga Stable, which owned Funny Cide. 

The gelding died at the age of 23 due to complications of colic in Lexington July 16. He spent the last 15 years of his life at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he was one of the most popular horses among visitors.

Part of Funny Cide's ashes that Knowlton had will be buried at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, the farm where Funny Cide was born. The other half will be buried at the Horse Park.

On Aug. 28, a short ceremony was held at 11 a.m. ET with Knowlton and Lew Titterton, one of the partners in the Funny Cide ownership group, bringing the box of Funny Cide's ashes to his final resting spot. It was important to Knowlton that the horse that put Sackatoga on the map be in a place where fans could visit.

"We all agreed that when people come to the race track, they would have the opportunity to pay their respects and remember all the good memories," Knowlton said. "Thank goodness, there are good memories. This has been a tough meet, but, today, let's celebrate the good times we had with Funny Cide."

Knowlton was joined by Barclay Tagg, who trained Funny Cide, his assistant Robin Smullen, and jockey Jose Santos. There were also about 50 people who came to the ceremony.

"This shows great respect for the horse," Santos said. "You can see how popular he was in New York; he was popular outside of New York, too. This is a great spot for him."

The New York Racing Association and Najja Thompson, the executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, also had a hand in bringing Funny Cide to Saratoga Race Course.

Funny Cide is the sixth horse to be interred at Saratoga Race Course. The filly Go For Wand is buried in the Saratoga infield and Quick Call, Mounjare, A Phenomenon, and Fourstardave rest at Clare Court, a serene spot on the Saratoga backstretch.

Earlier this month, a celebration of Funny Cide's life was held at Siro's Restaurant, which is just outside of the Saratoga track.

"This is the final celebration, the final farewell," said Santos, who rode Funny Cide in 21 of his 38 career starts.

In 2003, Funny Cide became the first New York-bred to win the Kentucky Derby and did so at odds of 12-1. He dominated the Preakness, winning by 9 3/4 lengths but lost his bid for a Triple Crown when he was third behind Empire Maker  and Ten Most Wanted  on a sloppy track in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

"He did so much for New York breeding," Tagg said, "and he was a gelding. He did a helluva lot."

Funny Cide, a son of Distorted Humor , finished his career with 11 wins, six seconds, and eight third-place finishes. He had career earnings of $3,529,412.