Graded Stakes Winner Say Florida Sandy Dead at Age 24

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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Say Florida Sandy

Say Florida Sandy, a multiple graded stakes winner and one of the greatest New York-breds of all time, died due to an apparent heart attack July 11, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm announced July 13. 

A full necropsy is pending for the 24-year-old stallion, who was retired with Old Friends near Georgetown, Ky.

Bred by Sanford Bacon, the son of Personal Flag out of the Sweet Candy mare Lolli Lucka Lolli was a star of the New York racing circuit for much of his eight-year career. He won several New York-bred championships, including three New York champion sprinter titles and New York Horse of the Year honors for 2001 and 2002.

Raced by Bacon before being lost for $70,000 in a claiming race in 1997, Say Florida Sandy had several owners and conditioners but won the lion's share of his races for trainer Juan Serey and owner John Rotella.

In all, the dark bay stallion won 19 stakes during his 98-race career, including the 2001 True North Handicap (G2), the Gravesend Handicap (G3) in 1998 and 2000, and the 2001 Philadelphia Park Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3). He retired from racing in 2003 with 33 wins and earnings of $2,085,408.

Say Florida Sandy entered stud in 2004 at Buckridge Farm near Kinderhook, N.Y., where he stood for 10 years. As a sire, he is best represented by stakes winner Say Toba Sandy, who won the Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies Stakes in 2007. 

Say Florida Sandy was pensioned by his syndicate and retired to Old Friends in 2014.

"It's been a privilege to retire one of the top New York-breds of all time," said Old Friends founder Michael Blowen. "Sandy was a very sensitive stallion, so he was placed at Hurstland Farm in Midway, Ky., under the watchful eye of owner Alfred Nuckols, who took the greatest care of him. We are grateful to breeder Sanford Bacon and to Walter Downey, who managed Sandy's syndicate, for allowing us to care for their champion."