by Steve Bailey

Ballindaggin, a multiple stakes winner who swept the 1987 New York Stallion Series, was euthanized on Tuesday at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute because of severe back problems caused by degenerative arthritis. He was 23.

A chestnut New York-bred by Noble Nashua, Ballindaggin lived at Old Friends, a Thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, for the past two years. He was donated to the farm by Idaho breeders Bob and Robbie Waters.

Ballindaggin won four of 14 starts, including all three New York Stallion Series events in 1987. In each race, he beat popular New York-bred gelding Foustardave, a Grade 2 winner who went on to win 13 stakes races during his nine years on the track.

In 1988, Ballindaggin picked up his only other career victory against an international field in the Molson Export Challenge at Woodbine. He earned $946,894 in two seasons.

As a stallion, Ballindaggin had 22 winners, including one stakes winner, from 33 starters in 14 crops.

Ballindaggin recently was diagnosed with acute degenerative arthritis and developed back problems severe enough that the decision was made to euthanize him.
 
“He was here nearly two years to the day and was one of our most popular residents,” Old Friends President Michael Blowen said. “His back problems had gotten to the point that he was in danger of hurting himself or one of us, so the decision was made to euthanize him.

“Ballindaggin was one of our kindest, most intelligent residents. …But he told us it was time. His eyes had turned from proud and courageous to insecure. We wanted him to go with his dignity intact. He’ll never be forgotten.”

A public memorial service will be held later this summer at Old Friends, Blowen said.

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor for Thoroughbred Times