Yesterday the great Alysheba was humanely euthanized at age 25.
Alysheba's sire was the excellent racehorse Alydar, most famous for his impressive rivalry with Triple Crown winner Affirmed. Alydar came in second in all three legs of the series, a feat which is most likely never to be repeated.
Alysheba is listed as #42 on The Blood Horse's list of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century and was the winner of the 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
He was named Champion 3 Year Old Male that year.
Alysheba is listed as #42 on The Blood Horse's list of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century and was the winner of the 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
He was named Champion 3 Year Old Male that year.
He was even better at age 4, winning six Grade 1 stakes (the best of the best races), including the Santa Anita Handicap, The Woodward Stakes, and capping the year with the Breeders' Cup Classic. He was named Horse of the Year for 1988 as well as Champion Older Male.
Until the fantabulous CIGAR (and the awe-inspiring CURLIN this past year) came along, Alysheba held the record for the World's Richest Thoroughbred. His earnings came to $6,679,242. His record was 11 wins, 8 places and 2 shows out of 26 races.
Hall of Fame Jockey Chris McCarron (who also rode the great John Henry) was on Alysheba for all 10 of his career stakes wins.
In 2008, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia returned Alysheba to the United States as a gift, stating his wish was to have Alysheba live out the rest of his days on his native soil. So he was brought to live at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, where he did just that.
This past Thursday, Alysheba apparently fell in his stall and due to his advanced age and various health issues, they were unable to save him. He was having alot of pain, and was unable to stand. To a horse, that is unfortunately the last straw.
*info complied mostly from Blood Horse online and my fantastic memory:)
He was trained by Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg, who said "he stuck out like a diamond in a rock pile."
Alysheba has a stakes race named after him and was inducted in 1993 to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Alysheba has a stakes race named after him and was inducted in 1993 to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
He has a statue of his likeness erected in front of the AEGON Center in downtown Louisville, Kentucky.
He stood at stud first at Lane's End farm in Kentucky, then was sold to a breeding farm in Saudi Arabia, as part of the king's Royal Stables.
In 2008, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia returned Alysheba to the United States as a gift, stating his wish was to have Alysheba live out the rest of his days on his native soil. So he was brought to live at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, where he did just that.
Alysheba upon return to Kentucky in fall of 2008.
This past Thursday, Alysheba apparently fell in his stall and due to his advanced age and various health issues, they were unable to save him. He was having alot of pain, and was unable to stand. To a horse, that is unfortunately the last straw.
A memorial service is being planned for a later date.
Rest in greener pastures, Aly.
Bloodhorse.com -death of Alysheba
article from the Lexington Herald-Leader
2 comments:
Alydar and Alysheba were two of my all-time favorite thoroughbreds.
I am happy he was brought back to the USA to live out the rest of his life. Father and son are now reunited and will rest in peace for
eternity.
Sarah Hellenschmidt
Saugerties, NY
I have a plane ticket for April 16...I am devastated that I waited too long, but who can predict these things.
Rest in peace Sheba. Yes, you were as beautiful as you always thought you were, and may you have abundant watermelon in heaven (that was his favorite snack; I had the privilege of spending summer of '87 with him in Saratoga).
God bless...JoAnne
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