Old Friends Reports Death of Futural
Image:
Description:
Photo: Benoit Photo
Futural winning the 2001 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap
Multiple graded-stakes winner Futural has died, reports Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky.
The 20-year-old gelding was euthanized July 26 because of complications caused by advance chronic osteoarthritis. Futural had been pensioned at Old Friends since 2006.
Bred in Florida by Harry T. Mangurian Jr., Futural (Future Storm--Twigazuri, by Dixieland Band) scored his biggest wins at age 5 when campaigned by the Jess L. Miller Trust and Jack Weitz and trained by Craig Dollase. In that 2001 season he captured the San Bernadino Handicap (gr. II) and Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (gr. II).
Also in 2001 Futural finished first in the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), but was disqualified for interference and placed third as Aptitude was awarded the win.
Racing to the age of 10, Futural won 12 of his 70 Starts for career earnings of $816,107.
His retirement to Old Friends was prompted in 2006 by renowned equine photographer Katey Barrett. After photographing the handsome chestnut during his banner year in Southern California in 2001, she fell in love with him. "When I photograph these horses, I often get connected to them," she said at the time.
Futural had been running at Hastings in Vancouver, British Columbia when Barrett contacted then owners Donald Muldoon and trainer Dave Milburn and asked if she could find him a home when he was finished racing.
"Futural was a very generous horse and very kind," said Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron, who rode Futural in seven of his career starts. "He got me across the wire in the one and only time I ever 'won' the Hollywood Gold Cup, and he'll always have a special place in my heart."
"It was an honor having Futural with us all these years," said Blowen. "We are grateful to Katey for helping us retire him and to his connections for their support.
"Futural has been a great friend to us and to his fellow geldings, most recently Yankee Fourtune," added Blowen. "All he ever asked for in return was a nice banana, his favorite treat. We'll certainly miss him."