Spendthrift Farm has built a Moon Malibu The memorial statue will be the centerpiece of the entrance to the new B. Wayne Hughes Visitor Center, which is scheduled to officially open November 1 during the week of the Breeders’ Cup World Championship.
Ned Toffey, general manager of Spendthrift, said: “The B. Wayne Hughes Visitor Center has really come together, and the addition of the Malibu Moon statue in the foreground is a special highlight for all of us. We are both very proud to see it go up.” “We look forward to announcing Breeders’ Cup Visitor Week as part of the celebration surrounding our industry championship event.”
Weighing in at nearly 1,700 pounds, Malibu Moon’s bronze sculpture is scaled down to 110% and depicts him as the adult stallion he used to be on the ranch. He faced his old stable at the front and the old stable at the horse complex in the back.
“Malibu Moon has put the Hughes/Gustavson version of Spendthrift Farm on the map,” said Spendthrift owner Eric Gustavson. “He was a consistent leader at the time Wayne bought the farm and for many years after. You could say, as Wayne often does, ‘Malibu Moon made Spendthrift Farm.'”
The Malibu Moon statue was sculpted by artist Douwe Blumberg at the foundry in Norman, Okla. Blumberg and his team began the year-long project in September 2021.
Blumberg said: “I enjoyed the opportunity to capture Malibu Moon and embrace his strength, masculinity and fiery gaze. “There’s an extra level of responsibility that is believed to portray the nature of this amazing animal, especially for a legendary farm like Spendthrift. It wasn’t until the groom and his longtime manager agree that ‘it’s him’ then I feel like I’ve succeeded. He feels very natural in the space, like coming home.”
“Douwe and his team did a great job in recreating the Malibu Moon,” Toffey said. “Of course, it was important for us to pay attention to every detail in the making of this piece, and it looks like Malibu Moon could step off the pedestal and head towards her paddock. What a sight.”
As the foundation stallion for Spendthrift, Malibu Moon is the winning son of AP Indy, who ranked in the top 10 North American stallions six times in 2010-2017, raising as the third top stallion on 2010. So far, he has selected 17 males that have won the 1st level. including the 2013 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brand Winner (G1) Globe 2 year old pony champion Declan’s Moon and many tier 1 winners and millionaires Life at ten among some of the other classiest millionaires on the track. The stallion died of an apparent heart attack in May 2021.
The B. Wayne Hughes Visitor Center will serve as Spendthrift’s new home for the tourism industry. The 7,000-square-foot two-story building sits in the heart of the historic ranch, connecting Spendthrift’s equine complex with the main office. The facility features a trophy gallery, gift shop, outdoor & indoor entertainment space and office space, and displays a collection of prized trophies, artifacts and memorabilia. of the farm.
This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse Staff.
