Lord Avie, oldest living Eclipse winner at 34

[Jessi P]

Nice story from Barbara Livingston & DRF:

http://www.drf.com/news/lifelong-bond-f ... n-champion

The ancient stallion spends his days grazing in a spacious paddock at an historic Virginia farm. His back is swayed, his front teeth are missing, and white hairs spread across his dark face like a spiderweb.

Whenever a van rumbles up the old farm road, his long ears pop forward and he breaks into a gallop − in case, perchance, the van is bringing him a date. But those days have long passed.

Years ago he was a champion and the early favorite for the 1981 Kentucky Derby. Now the horse is 34 − nearly unheard of for a Thoroughbred − and few people even know he’s alive. He has no fan club or farm guest book in which visitors scribble reverential remembrances. A Facebook page once created for him sits dormant with two lonely “likes.”

See link for the rest of the story. I "liked" his fan page on facebook, its up to 18 now.

[Bill from WA]

Thanks for the link Jessi. I just "liked" him too. Lovely story.

[pfrsue]

Thanks for the link Jessi. I just "liked" him too. Lovely story.

What Bill said. And I "liked" him too.

[Toccet02]

Thanks for the link Jessi. I just "liked" him too. Lovely story.

What Bill said. And I "liked" him too.

And me!

[KBEquine]

He may not have a fan club, but he sure has fans - we had one of his daughters until we lost her 2 years ago. The orphan filly & her older 1/2 sister are still here & favorites, partly because he is a favorite.

[erins isle]

Some horses just have all the luck in the word.
Lord Avie a son of that marvellous Sir Gaylord, what a great story.

[jellac]

Thanks Jessi P for providing the link this great story....

To my mind it is THIS story that epitomizes the sport of thoroughbred racing and should be what we all aim for in participating in it.

Lord Avie's story, looking back from the vista of a moment in his 34th year as his long ago trainer drives up to pay him one of his regular two visits a year, embodies in its telling the story of at least five outstanding class individuals: Lord Avie, the subject who is just as magnificent physically and in presence in his old age as he was on the track and in the stud barn; his trainer who has never forgotten the 'gift' that getting to train such a great creature really is; his caretaker who clearly goes beyond merely meeting his basic needs in making sure he can eat his feed and gets his scritches, his storyteller with her wonderfully expressive words AND photos and, not the least, the Lanes End Farm owners who were caring enough of their former successful stud to assure his having a calm, supportive and caring retirement. There are others also in the shadows of this story: the long ago groom, now deceased, who took care of Lord Avie and kept him sound and happy while under the rigors of racing; the many owners of his sons and daughters who've enjoyed the greatness imparted to his progeny in their own endeavors and his fans - who are many if not present on Facebook.

It takes my breath away to see the life of one great racehorse handled so well throughout and it makes me feel very proud that some in this sport/industry are indeed capable and committed to doing not only the right thing but doing it the right way. This is the story that I believe should emerge for the general public's awareness as we head into a potential Triple Crown winning race, not the sad story of I'll Have Another's trainer's troubling past and it is not as rare as some would make it out to be - I say this as the owner of a now 25YO TB mare who is enjoying her retirement and who gives me more pleasure in that than I can count.

[Bill from WA]

Beautiful response Jellac. Barbara Livingston is a treasure.
In the same vein, I must commend Buzz and Kathie King of Little King Ranch in George, Washington for their exemplary treatment of one of my all time favorite thoroughbreds, Basket Weave (1981). He has enjoyed a healthy and happy existance at their facility where he is rightly treated as royalty. I love this guy, and I am grateful to the Kings for the loving care they have bestowed on him over the years.

Bill

[Barcaldine]

LORD AVIE's pedigree always fascinated me.

http://www.pedigreequery.com/lord+avie

A complete outcross within five generations, his sire LORD GAYLORD (a minor winner of one race) was inbred to the great mare LAVENDULA 4 x 3 and carried multiple PLUCKY LIEGE strains.

His dam AVIE was by GALLANT MAN (3 x 3 MAH MAHAL) and carried several strains of SELENE.

LORD AVIE is a good example of what I call a modified hybrid, a pattern I try to emulate in all my matings when possible. His pedigree is particularly interesting because of the multiple inbreedings to great females.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Nice story from Barbara Livingston & DRF:

http://www.drf.com/news/lifelong-bond-f ... n-champion

The ancient stallion spends his days grazing in a spacious paddock at an historic Virginia farm. His back is swayed, his front teeth are missing, and white hairs spread across his dark face like a spiderweb.

Whenever a van rumbles up the old farm road, his long ears pop forward and he breaks into a gallop − in case, perchance, the van is bringing him a date. But those days have long passed.

Years ago he was a champion and the early favorite for the 1981 Kentucky Derby. Now the horse is 34 − nearly unheard of for a Thoroughbred − and few people even know he’s alive. He has no fan club or farm guest book in which visitors scribble reverential remembrances. A Facebook page once created for him sits dormant with two lonely “likes.”

See link for the rest of the story. I "liked" his fan page on facebook, its up to 18 now.

Great story. Where is the Facebook page, please?

[Jessi P]

See if the following link works for you:


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lord-Avie/127165753993922

He need some pics up on his facebook page!

[Sailor Kenshin]

AND a comments section!

[Bohemia]

This was a wonderful story with beautiful pictures. Barbara Livingston can write as well as she takes photos. Glad to see Lord Avie's being well taken care of.

[Fireslam]

He has a better Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lord-Avi ... 1080936143

[Bohemia]

Thanks, Fireslam, just looked at it and it's really nice!