Old Friends, the purebred retirement ranch in Georgetown, Ky., announced that the winner of the Jonesboro graded bet died at the farm on Thursday, May 25, 2023.
The 21-year-old stallion was found dead in his paddock during the morning rounds. Autopsy results are pending.
Jonesboro was bred by Jayeff “B” Stables and was born in Kentucky on March 15, 2002.
The chestnut stallion was the son of Sefapiano—Mom’s Command, by Top Command. Jonesboro’s dam, Mom’s Command, is owned and operated by Peter Fuller, and she’s had a stellar racing career. Among her accomplishments, she won the New York Dirty Three Crown in 1985 with Fuller’s daughter, Abby, riding her. Mom’s Command went on to be named the 1985 Eclipse Champion, 3-year-old Fat Baby, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
Jonesboro was purchased by Michael Langford at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2003 for $27,000 and placed in the care of Randy Morse, who would train the horse throughout his career for Langford.
Jonesboro didn’t win his 2-year-old season in 2004 but won three races in a row after that. Running at Oaklawn Park, he broke his maidenhood at the age of 3 in 2005 with a win in the special women’s weight class. He followed that with a win at the Northern Spur Breeders’ Cup Stakes (Listed) for his first bet win.
In 2006, the now 4-year-old boy won an optional claim race at the Louisiana Downs to complete his three-race winning streak. Later that year, he won Sam’s Town Stakes (Listed) at Delta Downs.
In 2007, at the age of 5, he won the Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn, his first ever graded bet and repeat win in Sam’s Town Stakes (Black Type).
During his 6-year-old campaign in 2008, he had his best season yet. He won Razorback Handicap (G3) in Oaklawn, Governor’s Handicap (Black Type) at Ellis Park, Tiznow Handicap (Listed) in Louisiana Downs and Remington Park Sprint Champion (Listed) ) at Remington Park.
He returned in 2009 at the age of 7 and scored the biggest win of his career taking Prairie Meadows’ Cornhusker Handicap 2nd. That year he also won the Texas Mile Stakes (G3) at Lone Star.
In 2010, at the age of eight, he raced seven times. His best is a third in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2). Then, after finishing last in the Premier Cup Handicap (Listed) at Zia Park, he retired.
In his seven-year career, he’s had 14 wins, 11 seconds, four thirds, and earned $1,550,685 in 50 career starts.
He started his stud career in 2011 and completed it at the Lake Hamilton Equine in Royal, Ark. His top lineage includes bet winners: Racer, Brooke’s a Bookin’ and Hoonani Road.
When Jonesboro was retired in 2022, Old Friends knew he might be ready to retire. Contact was made with the ranch, arrangements were made, and Jonesboro arrived at Old Friends on September 11.
Upon arrival, Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends, said, “Like most of us, Jonesboro owes his mother a lot. Mom’s Command is owned by Peter Fuller, who has also campaigned for it. Dancer’s Image. Peter contributed $500 to Old Friends when we first started. And his daughter, Abby, who rides Mom, is a lifelong friend.”
Upon learning of his death, Abby Fuller, who along with her father had followed Jonesboro’s career, said: “He’s amazing. He looks like his mother. I think he had a kid. great life, a lifetime. He was so well treated, and I’m so glad he ended up on Old Friends. He’s definitely in heaven riding with his mom, Mom’s Command, and hopefully, my dad is there watching them frolic around.”
Blowen added, “Jonesboro is proof that nepotism matters in Old Friends. His mother, Mom’s Command, is one of my all-time favorite racehorses, and Peter Fuller and His daughter, Abby, was an early supporter of us.And his Oaklawn Park relationships took great care of him.Like so many others, he will be left out. Miss.”
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