"No peppermints, please. How about some raspberries instead?"
Definitely best viewed large!
Sunshine Forever sticking his tongue out at those visiting him at Old Friends in Lexington (not far from the Horse Park). Everyone in our particular group was really happy to see him, and after a little coaxing (he'd been grazing at the far end of the field), he ambled over to greet us. He's quite a character!
The son of Roberto won the Hill Prince Stakes, the Lexington Stakes, Belmont's Turf Classic, the Man O'War, and the Budweiser International.
Sunshine Forever just barely lost the Breeder's Cup turf in 1988 to Great Communicator (though he was chosen as the favourite for the race).
Sunshine Forever earned more than $2 million during his career, racking up 8 wins from 20 starts. He stood at stud in Japan, at Nitta Farm - the same farm where Ferdinand stood before the farm sent the stallion to the slaughterhouse. Fortunately, in 2004, Sunshine Forever returned to the States and will now live out his days being admired by the fans who visit him at Old Friends.
From the Old Friends website:
"Old Friends began as a retirement and rescue facility for
pensioned Thoroughbreds.
Then news broke of the inconceivable death of Kentucky Derby winner
Ferdinand in a
slaughterhouse in Japan in 2002 (read more about Ferdinand). The discovery gave even more impetus to our organization. "We
went from getting five emails a day to hundreds," noted President
and founder Michael Blowen. We knew such a death must never happen
again. And so the plan became to bring " at risk"
racehorses--those whose racing and breeding careers had come to an
end--to Old Friends, provide them with the dignified retirement they
deserve, and open the space to the public. By promoting these one-time
celebrated horses through a campaign of education and tourism, we
realized we could draw attention to all retired Thoroughbreds and all
equines in need.
"...Based in Georgetown, Ky., Old Friends has begun receiving visitors. We are hosting two to five tours daily, and while our guests come to visit a few ex-racehorses, they leave having been touched by the heart of a Thoroughbred hero."
Comments and faves
dcmandrill [deleted] (72 months ago | reply)
Hysterical!
Karnevil added this photo to his favorites. (72 months ago)
Karnevil (72 months ago | reply)
LOL!!!! Great capture!!!! I love it!
cicidia (72 months ago | reply)
Nah nah nah nah nah ,,,,, lol he's great!
Cesar R. (72 months ago | reply)
very cool... too funny.. :-)
Mike_tn (72 months ago | reply)
funny
~ Liberty Images (72 months ago | reply)
Hee hee, thanks. Glad y'all enjoy it. He really is a character and was probably as glad as we were that he came over to be friendly for his fans!
javadoug added this photo to their favorites. (72 months ago)
javadoug (72 months ago | reply)
ha, lol, he is sticking his tongue out at you. Great timing and capture!
You are MY WINNER!
Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Invited with SIC
mar_cel_ius (72 months ago | reply)
Beautiful Capture Award
mar_cel_ius added this photo to his favorites. (72 months ago)
~ Liberty Images (72 months ago | reply)
Thanks, javadoug & mar_cel_ius! I appreciate it. :)
Jesus Cano Sanchez (72 months ago | reply)
Funny! Just at the moment :)
Photo-Thumbs (72 months ago | reply)
Well, some times you feel like a mint, some times you don't! Some stars are after all, a little stuck up when it comes to having their photos taken.
Still, this is a great picture
catbishop (72 months ago | reply)
awwww
Gossamer1013 (71 months ago | reply)
What great timing! That horse definitely likes you. 8-)
zerofifteen added this photo to her favorites. (56 months ago)
wee(n)faerie (48 months ago | reply)
please post this to my new group pbbbt! animal raspberries!
This photo was invited and added to the HORSE TONGUE TRICKS group.
5baby2 and joannapoe added this photo to their favorites.