Precisionist Moving North

Florida-bred Precisionist will be moving to a new home, but will find himself surrounded by some old friends. The 1985 Eclipse Award winning Sprinter and Hall -of-Fame enshrinee will be the first arrival at Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm, a retirement facility for a number of prominent pensioned racehorses. Precisionist had been residing at Dr. Siobhan Ellison's farm in Fairfield, Fla., and left Tuesday, and will arrive at the new location of Old Friends, a 52-acre facility located in Georgetown, Ky., in Scott County, which is located about 10 minutes away from the former facility that has been based on property at Hurstland Farm.

"We closed on the new location Tuesday morning," said Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends. "Precisionist is scheduled to arrive Wednesday morning about 9:30 a.m.. We have great respect and fondness for Precisionist. My wife Diane has been at the Keeneland Library researching his career. His success has been extraordinary. Chris McCarron told me that Precisionist was the fastest horse that he had ever ridden. He told me that he's going to come over and visit Precisionist. We're very excited about having Precisionist as a resident at Old Friends."

The horse retirement facility has been a focal point for tourism, said Blowen. Old Friends is a retirement and rescue facility for pensioned thoroughbreds. Precisionist was owned by Fred Hooper, conditioned by L.R. Fenstermaker, John W. Russell and L. William Donovan. A winner of six Grade 1 races, including the 1985 Breeders' Cup Sprint, Precisionist from 46 starts, won 20 races, placed second ten times and finished third on four occasions, en route to bankrolling $3,485,398. Precisionist raced from ages two through five, and returned to the track as a seven year-old, posting stakes wins in each of the years that he raced.

"The new location is about five miles from the Kentucky Horse Park," said Blowen. "It's wonderful that there have been people like Dr. Ellison and the Hooper family, who are entrusting us with Precisionist. This is the greatest thing that could ever happen."

Precisionist failed to replicate his racing success at stud, having experienced fertility problems. Ellison asked Hooper if she could have Precisionist in 1996, while she was working toward her molecular biology degree at the University of Florida, in an attempt to find a solution to the future Hall of Famer's fertility problems. While at Ellison's farm, Precisionist spent most of his time accompanied by a miniature mule named Mary Margaret. The 25 year-old stopped sweating, and is relocating to Kentucky to move to an environment that is cooler and less humid.

"We loved having Precisionist here, he is one of the smartest and kindest horses I have ever known," said Ellison. "He enjoyed the quiet life with Mary Margaret, and always acted as though he was king of all he surveyed. This is the best move for him. Not only will the climate agree with him, he will be enjoyed by many race fans.  The farm seems noticeably empty without hm, his presence added much to the place. We will miss him, and plan to visit him, once he's settled in." 

Precisionist will join a roster at Old Friends that includes, Santa Anita Handicap winner Ruhlmann; the 1988 Eclipse Award winning turf horse Sunshine Forever; Belmont Futurity winner Ogygian; group winner Creator, Bluegrass Stakes and Louisiana Derby winner Taylor's Special, the dam of Florida-bred dual Classic winner Silver Charm, Bonnie's Poker; one of the horses that played Seabiscuit in the movie about the storied star, Popcorn Deelites, the first farm's retiree, who was donated by Ocala-based Franks Farm's Barbara Franks, Narrow Escape;  and winner Riva Way.

"The horses at Old Friends have accomplished so much, and have had amazing careers," said Blowen. "The horses at Old Friends are very deserving and have earned the right to enjoy retirement. We owe them so much. We're trying to do whatever we can to make them comfortable."

Old Friends receives free medical care from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, which is in close proximity to the facility, free feed from Triple Crown Feed and free farrier work, said Blowen.

"Our cost are minimal," said Blowen. "We'll move the two mares to the facility on Friday, and gradually move the geldings and the stallions. The horses will all be in the new facility by the end of June."