Old Friends, the Pure Retirement facility near Georgetown, Ky., announced on February 25 that the ranch has been selected as the final resting place of the winner of the graded multi-stakes. Medina Spirit .
Medina Spirit’s ashes will be laid to rest in Old Friends’ Nikki Bacharach Memorial Garden alongside champions such as the Kentucky Derby (G1) Charismatic (1999) and War Emblem (2002) winners, both retired for Old Friends after a career in ranching, as well as Eclipse Hidden Lake Award Winner and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Alphabet Soup winner.
Old Friends will hold an open house from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on April 5 to give fans a chance to visit the graveyard and pay their respects. Farm at 1841 Paynes Depot Road near Georgetown.
Trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Zedan Racing, Medina Spirit has enjoyed a brief but brilliant career on the track.
Winning at Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and finishing second in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) brought the son of the dark bay Protonico a berth at the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Though a long look behind the favorites Necessary quality and Rock Your World , Medina Spirit fought her opponents. Unfortunately, the foal subsequently tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone and was disqualified by Kentucky administrators on February 21. The ruling is being appealed.
After the Derby, Medina Spirit went on to win the Shared Faith and Great Shares Again (G1) before finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic to last as Horse of the Year Knicks Go . The foal died on December 6 when it suddenly collapsed from an apparent heart attack after working at Santa Anita . Park. A laparotomy on the Medina Spirit failed to identify a specific reason for his collapse, with the review revealing features similar to pulmonary hemorrhage. The California Horse Racing Board did not find any potential rule violations related to the foal’s death.
“The Zedan Racing family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our beloved God Medina,” said owner Amr Zedan. “He has brought us great joy during his time, and we will forever cherish his spectacular win in the Kentucky Derby. Medina Spirit truly has the heart of a champion. , and it is comforting to know that he will be rested with many races great men and great men at Old Friends Farm.”
While many consider Medina Spirit to be someone so brilliant that experts are surprised, coach Bob Baffert and his wife Jill say he always behaves and trains like an elite athlete.
“He wouldn’t agree with that assessment,” Bafferts said. “He carried himself like the champion he’d been through all of his days. From the first race to the last, he was a confident and competitive Purebred who was always give it our all. We are so blessed and blessed to have known him. Medina Spirit is deeply loved by us and everyone at the warehouse. We grieve his loss. , but take solace in knowing he will be buried among some of motorsport’s all-time greats at Old Friends.”
Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen said he was grateful to Zedan and the Bafferts for the “honor and privilege” of burying Medina Spirit’s ashes at Old Friends.
“His tombstone, which will serve as a constant reminder of his spectacular achievements, will be placed next to the Symbol of War and Animals in the Nikki Bacharach Memorial Garden, home to legions of fans. his can pay their respects.” Blowen said.
