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Please
join us once for
The
Second Annual "Hats
Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby" A
Unique Online Derby Hat Auction Benefiting Old Friends
sponsored
by MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® Custom
Derby Millinery by Sally Faith Steinmann
Featured
Horse
Ruhlmann

Ruhlmann
photo,
"Run Free Sweet Ruhlmann", by Rick
Capone
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Pedigree:
1985-2008, Mr. Leader—Indian Maiden by Chieftain Starts:
Starts 22, Wins 9 - $1,824,154 Trained by:
Robert J. Frankel and Charles Whittingham Owners:
Ann and Jerry Moss Breeder:
North Ridge Farm
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RUHLMANN from
Old Friends
History:
An
eight-times stakes winner, Ruhlmann defeated some of the best
horses of his generation, including Easy Goer and the great
Sunday Silence. He began his career in France, but soon
returned to California where his promising 3-year-old campaign
included wins in 1989's San Bernardino Handicap and the Native
Diver Handicap. The colt's most stunning victory, however, may
well have been 1990's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap with
jockey Gary Stevens aboard. In the Big 'Cap, Ruhlmann beat the
favorite, champion race mare Bayakoa, as well as Criminal Type
(the eventual horse of the year), who would later become his
turf rival. The two faced off for track supremacy five more
times that year, with Type besting Ruhlmann 3-2. The duo was
nearly reunited right here at Old Friends, but sadly, Criminal
Type died before he could be returned from Japan.
His
original owners, Jerry and Ann Moss donated Ruhlmann to Old
Friends in 2005 under an endowment. It was a fitting
retirement, as the near-black stallion was conceived at
Hurstland Farm in Midway over 20 years ago. The Moss' good
deed was not overlooked: Just two days after coming to visit
their former champion, they won the 131st running of the
Kentucky Derby with their new champion, Giacomo.
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Additional
note - Ruhlmann set the Santa Anita track record for one mile
on dirt when he won the Viking Spirit Stakes and set the new
track record of 1:33:40 (1989). This record still stands.
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Michael
's obituary
On
Christmas Eve,
just
after 4 in the afternoon, Ruhlmann died. It was just two days
after he celebrated four years at Old Friends. Alberto brought
him up from his paddock to his stall and left to clean another
stall in the other barn. When he returned, 15 minutes later,
Ruhlmann was dead. Dr. Byars arrived within ten minutes and
explained that Ruhlmann died of a rupture and, judging by the
virtually undisturbed nature of his stall, concluded that
Ruhlmann died instantly.
I
really like all of our retirees but each one of us at Old
Friends develop special bonds with particular athletes...Diane
loves Creator; Tom dotes on Swan's Way, Beth adores Ogygian,
Janet has a soft spot for Mighty Mecke and Fortunate Prospect,
Mercer is partial to Awad and Kudos and Ruthann loves Popcorn
Deelites and Special Ring. Sylvia's really attached to Bull
inthe Heather. Wallenda gave his favorite human, Val a
Christmas gift. And I had two: Sunshine Forever and Ruhlmann.
The
23-year-old son of Mr. Leader was considered by some to be a
very mean horse. Apparently, in his racing and breeding days
he took exception to being bossed around. But, when he moved
to Old Friends and became the boss, his whole attitude
changed. Now, don't get me wrong, he was never cuddly and
sweet like The Wicked North. But, if you did what he wanted
when he wanted it, he'd let you pet him and even kiss him on
the nose. It was that same intensity that he brought to his
race track game that made him so appealing. He didn't suffer
fools gladly and, unfortunately, I fit into that category.
Until he taught me what he liked and what he didn't. He didn't
like the shank over his nose but he'd be very cooperative with
just a lead rope. It's curious how things work out. The things
that come to mind during tough times. On Christmas Eve
morning, Ruhlmann was staring at me over his fence. I knew he
wanted extra carrots. I didn't really want to go back to the
house but there was something in his expression that made his
request irresistable. Of course, he got his carrots. And, as
always, I was glad I listened to him.
We're
deeply grateful to Jerry and Ann Moss and Dottie and David
Ingordo for trusting us with their amazing athlete. Ruhlmann
was, after all, the first Thoroughbred donated to Old Friends
by his owners and it sent the message that we were okay to the
rest of the racing world. They also sent us Kudos.
We're
looking forward to Clever Allemont's imminent arrival from
Kansas. And we are very grateful for all of our current and
future retirees. But, for me, there'll only be one Ruhlmann.
And I'm eternally grateful to him for that.
Michael (Michael
Blowen, Old Friends founder and President)
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 Ruhlmann
photo
by Flashpoint
Photography
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To
place a bid on the “Ruhlmann” auction hat or to learn
more about Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm, please visit the Old
Friends website
to
access the eBay link or call them at 502-863-1775.
To
view the couture Derby hats from previous hat auctions, please
click on the following
-
Old
Friends Hat Auction Portfolio
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MAGGIE
MAE DESIGNS®
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Friends
The
Derby Hat Collection by MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS®
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