Ferdinand (horse)
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| Ferdinand | ||
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| Sire: | Nijinsky II | |
| Dam: | Banja Luka | |
| Damsire: | Double Jay | |
| Sex: | Stallion | |
| Foaled: | 1983 | |
| Country: | USA | |
| Colour: | Chestnut | |
| Breeder: | Howard B. Keck | |
| Owner: | Mrs. Howard B. Keck | |
| Trainer: | Charlie Whittingham | |
| Record: | 29:8-9-6 | |
| Earnings: | $3,777,978 | |
| Major Racing Wins & Honours & Awards | ||
| Major Racing Wins | ||
| Santa Catalina Stakes (1986) Kentucky Derby (1986) Breeders' Cup Classic (1987) Hollywood Gold Cup (1987) |
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| Racing Awards | ||
| U.S. Champion Older Male Horse (1987) United States Horse of the Year (1987) |
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Infobox last updated on: September 19, 2006. |
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Ferdinand (1983-2002) was a Thoroughbred racehorse Champion who won the 1986 Kentucky Derby and 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic. He was voted the 1987 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year.
He was put to stud in 1989, and later sold to Japan in 1994.
Much to the outrage of many, reports indicate that in 2002 Ferdinand was sent to slaughter in Japan with no fanfare or notice to previous owners. Ferdinand's inhmane, violent, and secretive death was the catalyst for the Ferdinand Fee, an optional donation program to fund keeping old racehorses alive.
In September of 2006, the United States Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill that would ban the slaughter of horses. Ferdinand's death has helped prompt the movement to ban the large scale slaughter of horses in the United States.
Called "The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act", it is presently before the U.S. House of Representatives. It would end the slaughter of all horse breeds in the country.
[edit] The Ferdinand Fee
In the summer of 2006, the New York Owners and Breeders' Association, based in Saratoga Springs, New York, initiated the small voluntary per-race charge (collected from owners of NY Breds) called the “Ferdinand Fee” that will funnel the revenue to Bluegrass Charities and the Thoroughbred Charities of America, two organizations that help fund race horse rescue and retirement groups. Another small step in maintaining the safety of Thoroughbreds sent to breeding sheds around the world: Some owners are now including buy-back clauses within their stallion contracts. Reportedly, such clauses were included for Derby winner Silver Charm and Dubai winner Roses in May, both of whom were sent to Japan.
