Silver Ray (Silver Hawk), who was rescued from potential slaughter in 2013, with euthanized Wednesday due to chronic orthopedic disease at Old Friends Retirement Center in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Bred in the Commonwealth by Ben Walden, Sr., Silver Ray won the 1991 GIII Hoist the Flag S. for owners Jerry and Ann Moss and sired 47 foals from 13 crops with 11 winners. He was ultimately sold to a dressage trainer and tasted some success as a sire of sport horses.
In the summer of 2013, Silver Ray was discovered at a livestock auction in California and was purchased by April Smith for $30. Once learning of the news, the Mosses worked with Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen to secure a spot at the farm.
“It has been such an honor to have Silver Ray with us these years,” said Blowen. “He has been an unbelievable fan favorite. He had an incredibly gentle soul, he was wonderful with children, and he just loved getting treats and attention from all of our visitors. Great teamwork brought this wonderful stallion to Old Friends. We're grateful to the people who rescued him and the Mosses for sponsoring his journey home.”
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