Breeders’ Cup Throwback: Amazombie

2011 Breeders’ Cup Sprint Winner Enjoys Retirement

By: Delaney Witbrod

In the depths of his paddock, a bay horse with a small star raises his head, catching sight of an oncoming tour group. With a flick of his tail he makes his way over to the fence line, ears pricked to greet his fans. He lifts his head over the dark wooden fence, eyes bright as he eagerly awaits his carrots. He carefully takes the treats offered to him by an assortment of different hands, ears moving in the directions of the voices who tell of his past.

A son of Northern Afleet and Wilshe Amaze (by In Excess), foaled April 18, 2006, Amazombie was foaled on April 18, 2006, and is best known for his 2011 Breeders’ Cup Sprint victory. The talented gelding received Eclipse Award honors in 2011, when he was named Champion Male Sprinter. He won 12 of his 29 starts and retired with earnings totaling $1,920,378, his biggest wins coming in the Sunshine Millions Sprint, Potrero Grande, Tiznow Stakes, Ancient Title Stakes, Bing Crosby Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Sprint. From October 15, 2010, through July 29, 2012, Amazombie won 7 stakes and – in 17 starts – never finished off the board. Upon retirement, he was sent to Judd Morse’s ranch in California before making the move to his now permanent home at Old Friends Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Today, Amazombie roams freely in his paddock and enjoys retirement with pasture-mate Rapid Redux, winner of the 2011 Secretariat Vox Populi Award. His only task is to greet visitors along the fence three times a day, take pictures and snack on carrots. He is one of the last horses on the Old Friends tour, but is one of the most popular. “He’s a favorite to the newer generation of horse racing fans; lots of them travel from the West Coast and request to see him,” Old Friends founder Michael Blowen said.

Piloted to his many victories by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Amazombie was all business on the track. “He was such a cool horse to ride,” Smith Shared. “He wasn’t one to set the pace and he wasn’t a closer, but he always put me in the race (usually third, fourth or fifth off the lead) and he would always finish so strong. Nothing but class.”

“He’s a very intelligent horse,” Blowen added of the now ten-year-old. “He likes to do his own thing and enjoys bossing around Rapid Redux to make sure he gets those carrots first.” He loves his fans, but loves them even more when bearing carrots. Even during his glory days on the track, Amazombie was known for rummaging for carrots. “Oh, he loved his carrots!” Smith said with a chuckle.

With his racing days in the past, the handsome bay gelding brings back fond memories for Mike Smith. “I won my 5,000^th race on him in the 2012 Potrero Grande; it was, and continues to be one of the greatest moments of my career – that and our win in the [2011] Breeders’ Cup Sprint. It’s hard to believe it’s been five years already. It feels like it was just yesterday.”

Visit with 1996 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Alphabet Soup ↓

Thoroughbred Today October 2016

Thoroughbred Today magazine’s October issue is a special Breeders’ Cup edition featuring a six-page feature on California Chrome, exclusive photos and interviews, a tribute to American Pharoah and more! | Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online.