Awesome Gem Finds New Home at Old Friends
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Awesome Gem earned more than $2.8 million on the track
West Point Thoroughbreds' multiple graded stakes winner Awesome Gem arrived at his new home April 7—Old Friends Equine in Georgetown, Ky.
"He's just absolutely gorgeous. He came in great shape, he looks like he could run in the fourth today at Keeneland," said Old Friends founder Michael Blowen, adding that the gelding was accepted as soon as the farm could find room for him.
The 14-year-old son of Awesome Again retired from racing in 2012 after amassing more than $2.8 million in earnings with a 11-15-7 record from 52 starts. His six graded stakes wins included the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), the Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2), the San Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes (G2), Lone Star Park Handicap (G3), and Berkeley Handicap (G3). He also ran in four Breeders' Cup events and finished third in the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1).
Bred in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm, Catesby Clay, and Peter Callahan, Awesome Gem was purchased by West Point for $150,000 at the 2005 Barretts March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training.
Blowen said the gelding is settling into his new home just fine and will likely be popular with farm guests.
"I think he's excited. He was out there frolicking (in his paddock)," Blowen said. "The (visitors) who don't know who he is, they'll find out pretty quickly."