News

Kentucky Derby winner (1997), Eclipse 3-year-old champion (1997), and Hall of Fame inductee (2007), Silver Charm will arrive this weekend at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY.

Silver Charm began his 3-year-old campaign with a win in the San Vicente Stakes (GIII) at Santa Anita Park. With a second to Free House in the Santa Anita Derby Silver Charm looked poised for the Triple Crown which had not been won since Affirmed did in 1978. He won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes beating Touch Gold who finished second in both races. As the Belmont Stakes approached comparisons were made with the 1978 Triple Crown when Alydar finished second to Affirmed in all three races. Inside the sixteenth pole it looked like the comparisons were real. Then three-wide came Touch Gold to deny the Crown by a half length. Here is the replay of that great Belmont Stakes race.

The timing of the announcement is perfect. Silver Charm won the prestigious Clark Handicap in 1998 as a 4-year-old. The Clark is carded to be run at Churchill Downs today.

A special open house for members of the press as well as the public will be held Monday December 1st from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The now 20-year-old stallion will then enter a 21-day quarantine.

It was announced in October by Three Chimneys Farm that the 1997 champion three-year-old colt had been retired from breeding in Japan and would be return to the United States to live out his life at Old Friends. The decision about his retirement was a joint venture among Three Chimneys Farm, Silver Charm’s owners Jeff and Beverly Lewis, and the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association (JBBA).

Old Friends invites friends and fans and members of the media to come meet the dual classic winner and welcome him back.

For additional information please call Old Friends at (502) 863-1775.