Former Adena Springs stallions Awesome Again and Milwaukee Brew have been transferred to the Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm, according to a press release sent from Old Friends Friday afternoon.
The announcement follows on the heels of the relocation from Adena Springs of three sires announced last Saturday–Awesome Again's Ghostzapper, Mucho Macho Man, and Point of Entry–who were moved to Hill 'n' Dale Farm's new Xalapa facility to stand at stud.
Awesome Again and Milwaukee Brew were pensioned from stud duty in 2019.
Awesome Again, now 27, retired after an undefeated season at four that included five graded stakes victories, including the GI Stephen Foster H., the Whitney H, and one of the most memorable editions of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic where he rallied in the stretch to get the win over Grade I winners Skip Away, Silver Charm, Arch, Gentlemen (Arg), Coronado's Quest, Touch Gold, Swain (Ire) and Victory Gallop.
As significant in the breeding shed as he was on the track, Awesome Again sired two champions: Ghostzapper, the 2004 Horse of the Year and champion older horse; and Ginger Punch, the 2007 champion older mare. The Hall of Fame inductee Ghostzapper is one of the 14 Grade I winners, 13 millionaires and four Breeders' Cup Champions that Awesome Again has produced. Ghostzapper's win in the Breeders' Cup Classic made his sire the first Classic winner to also sire a Classic winner. He was pensioned after 21 years at stud.
Milwaukee Brew, 23, earned eight wins in his 24 starts and is best known for his back-to-back victories in the 2002 and 2003 GI Santa Anita H. He stood at Adena Springs North, near Ontario, and his top runners include Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Milwaukee Appeal, and Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Ginger Brew.
The new stallions will join Adena's Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Alphabet Soup, who were retired to Old Friends in 2015.
“We're very grateful to Frank and Belinda and everyone at The Stronach Group for trusting us with these two great Thoroughbreds,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “The Stronachs have always been extremely generous when it comes to supporting their retirees. When Alphabet Soup's cancer needed special attention, Frank made sure all of his medical bills were taken care of. And I adore Awesome Again's victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic even though he beat (Old Friends resident) Silver Charm.”
“When it comes to Awesome Again and Milwaukee Brew, they are two of the best-natured stallions I've been blessed to work with,” said Adena Springs Stallion Manager Bill Drury. “When it came time to consider retirement settlements, if not my own backyard, there was no place I would rather they be than with Michael at Old Friends. His has a reputation of exemplary care, and the fan access is exactly what these champions deserve in their twilight years.”
Old Friends said that in addition, in the coming weeks, a third Adena stallion, Silver Max, will be pensioned with Old Friends. Silver Max is perhaps best known for ending reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan's nine-race win streak with his upset win in the 2013 GII Shadwell Turf Mile S. at Keeneland. He retired in 2014 with 12 wins from 27 starts and over $1.9 million in earnings.
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