Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, Ky., lost two retirees Wednesday–multiple graded stakes winner Dumaani (Danzig–Desirable {Ire}, by Lord Gayle), who was 31, and European champion and GI Breeders' Cup Classic third-place finisher Swain (Ire) (Nashwan–Love Smitten, by Key to the Mint), who was 30. Both were humanely euthanized due to the infirmities of old age.
The stallions stood most recently at the Lexington-based Shadwell Farm, where they were originally pensioned. They relocated to Old Friends in the spring of this year as part of a downsizing of operations following the death of Shadwell owner, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in 2021.
“It's always sad when we lose any of our wonderful retirees, but yesterday was devastating,” said Old Friends President Michael Blowen. “The only solace is that farm manager Antonio Marin and Rood and Riddle's Dr. Ashton Broman recognized that both Dumaani and Swain were both in severe discomfort and the best thing for them–not for us–was to take the pain away. But the pain their deaths left behind has left a lasting scar on us. Even when you do your best it can't defeat mortality.”
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