Old Friends Virtual Tour - Silver Charm

Michael Blowen, founder of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms, talks to visitors about 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm. Bio from our website: 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm was bred in Florida by Mary Lou Wootton. Owned by Robert and Beverley Lewis and trained by Bob Baffert, he leaped to a juvenile stakes win in the 1996 Del Mar Futurity (G2) ridden by David Flores, then hit the 1997 Derby trail with his San Vicente (G3) win, Chris McCarron up. The Kentucky Derby began Silver Charm’s partnership with jockey Gary Stevens. In a thrilling finish they prevailed over Captain Bodgit and Free House. A repeat performance in the Preakness raised Triple Crown hopes and Silver Charm ran a heroic Belmont, but he was edged out by Touch Gold. Silver Charm was awarded the 1997 Three Year Old Male Championship. In 1998, teamed with Stevens, he won the San Fernando (G2), Strub (G2) and prestigious Dubai World Cup (G1), Kentucky Cup Classic (3) and Goodwood (G2). A close second in the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic and win in the Clark (G2) rounded out this superlative campaign. At five, Silver Charm won the San Pasqual (G2). In his 24 starts he achieved 12 wins, 7 seconds and 2 thirds for $6,944,369. He entered stud in 2000 at Three Chimneys in Kentucky, was relocated in 2005 to Japan and stood at JBBA’s Stallion Stations until 2014. Silver Charm was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2007. In December 2014 he retired to Old Friends thanks to the cooperative efforts of JBBA, the Lewis family and Three Chimneys. Old Friends thanks the hard work and dedication of Equisport Photos in making this video. Video © Equisport photos and Old Friends, Inc. www.oldfriendsquine.org About Old Friends: Old Friends is a 501(c)3 non profit organization that provides a dignified retirement to Thoroughbreds whose racing and breeding careers have come to an end. By promoting these one-time celebrated horses through a campaign of education and tourism, we hope to raise awareness of all equines in need.