NEWS
Alysheba comes home to Kentucky
Posted: Friday, October 31, 2008 6:14 PM
ALYSHEBA
Photo by Z
Alysheba, the 1988 Horse of the Year and champion older horse, was welcomed back to Kentucky on Friday by an enthusiastic crowd that gathered at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington to see the oldest living Kentucky Derby (G1) winner.
Kentucky-bred Alysheba was sent to the Horse Park as a gift to the American people from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah. After spending the first ten years of his stud career at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End in Versailles, Kentucky, Alysheba was purchased in February 2000 by Saudi Arabian Prince Miteb bin Abdullah and was sent to stand at the prince’s Janadriyah Stud Farm on the outskirts of the capital city of Riyadh.
Frank McGovern, Janadriyah’s general manager, attended the ceremony on Friday to turn the 24-year-old Alysheba over to John Nicholson, the Horse Park’s executive director. Prior to being shipped to the United States, Alysheba spent two months in quarantine at Nad al Sheba Quarantine Center in Dubai.
“His Majesty must indeed have a very big heart to be so concerned about the well being of Alysheba,” Nicholson said. “We are grateful that King Abdullah entrusted one of his favorite horses to the care of the Kentucky Horse Park as stewards of his gift to the people of the United States.
“Throughout history, the horse has transcended nations and brought cultures together. Alysheba is a symbol of good will between people and nations. He will be appreciated and cherished by the nearly one-million guests who visit the Kentucky Horse Park each year and by racing fans across the country for many years to come.”
Alysheba’s welcome home celebration included Preston Madden, the horse’s breeder, trainer Jack Van Berg, and retired jockey Chris McCarron, Alysheba’s regular rider.
A career earner of $6,679,242, Alysheba won the 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (G1) and was voted champion three-year-old male.
The Alydar horse out of Bel Sheba, by Lt. Stevens, will join fellow Thoroughbreds Cigar, Kona Gold, and Da Hoss in the Horse Park’s Hall of Champions. Alysheba will reside in a stall formerly occupied by two-time Horse of the Year John Henry, who was euthanized in 2007.
