Special Ring, a multiple Grade 1 stakes winner and son of international sire Nureyev, has died at 28 after suffering complications from colic. A pensioner since 2005 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement in Georgetown, Ky., Special Ring was the last surviving member of the original 15 Thoroughbred retirees who moved from Hurstland Farm to Old Friends’ new property, Dream Chase Farm, in 2006.
“It is particularly difficult to bid farewell to Special Ring. Having arrived in 2005, he was with us for nearly the whole existence of Old Friends. Special Ring was beloved by an entire generation of Old Friends family members. Besides being a respected stakes winner, he was also a horse with a big personality who loved people and excelled at life,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends.
Starting his career in France with trainer Criquette Head, Special Ring raced for seven straight seasons with 10 wins from 29 starts to his name for $915,023 in earnings. The gelding didn’t win as a juvenile but did come close with two placings in the same amount of starts. He came out running at three with his two consecutive wins to start the season including a first stakes victory in the Prix de Saint-Patrick before finishing third in the Prix Daphnis (G3) one start later. He would pick up another stakes win to kick off his 4-year-old season in 2021 before breeder-owner Wertheimer & Frere sold him to Jack Preston’s Prestonwood Farm and he was transferred to trainer Julio Canani in the U.S…