Delay of Game Euthanized at Old Friends

Graded stakes winner Delay of Game, a pensioner at Old Friends retirement facility near Georgetown, Ky. since 2010, was euthanized the evening June 6 due to the infirmities of old age, Old Friends president Michael Blowen announced. 

The 23-year-old son of Summer Squall—Wimbledon, by Blushing Groom, also suffered from the neurological disease equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.

Delay of Game was campaigned by John H. Peace, who bought him from Lane's End, agent, for $80,000 at the 1994 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was trained by George "Rusty" Arnold and raced through ages 3 through 8, compiling a 16-9-4 career line from 48 starts while earning $809,023.

His top victories were the 1997 Stuyvesant Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack and successive editions of the Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup Stakes in 2000 and 2001.

"Delay of Game was not only terrific racehorse, he was just a total 'people' horse," Blowen said of the gelding, who was bred in Kentucky by Marcia M. Gumberg. "He was a favorite with many of our tour guides and visitors, and he loved the attention. We were proud to care for him these last years, and we can't thank the Arnolds enough for all they did for him."

Following his retirement from the track, Delay of Game returned to Arnold and his wife, Sarah. 

"We had him almost his entire career," Sarah Arnold said. "Off the track, he had a stint as a stable pony and also as a riding horse. But once he contracted the EPM, we knew we had to find permanent retirement for him, and Michael was kind enough to take him and take great care of him.

"I never met a horse who loved his job like he did. He loved racing, and not just winning, but racing. When I think of how to describe him, I think of what groom Will Harbut always said about Man o' War: 'He was the mostest horse.' "