Creator enjoyed a happy retirement at Old Friends before his sudden and fatal illness.
Press Release — Creator, a Group 1 winner in France, was euthanized at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital on Saturday, February 28 due to complications from colic.
The 29-year-old son of Mill Reef had been a pensioner of Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, KY, since 2004, when he was retired from stud duty in Japan and returned to the United States.
A homebred for Sheikh Mohammed, Creator (Mill Reef – Chalon, Habitat) won seven of his16 starts for career earnings of $550,537. His most impressive victory came at Longchamp in the GR 1 Prix Ganay-a race his sire also won impressively in 1972.
Creator’s final start was in the U.S in the GR 1 Budweiser International where he suffered a career-ending injury.
Creator and Old Friends stable mate Sunshine Forever were the first stallions the non-profit organization returned from overseas for U.S. retirement.
At the time of his death Creator was surrounded by Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends, his wife Diane White, and others who cared for him daily at the farm.
“Creator was not only a magnificent animal, he was one of the founding fathers of Old Friends,” said Blowen. “Every time we lose one of the horses it’s as if they take a little part of our lives with them,” he added, “and, yesterday, Creator took an enormous chunk with him.”
For additional information contact Old Friends at (502) 863-1775.
I’m so sorry for your loss. RIP, beautiful Creator.
So sad to hear this news of this beautiful boy. Obviously Creator was well cared for and loved so much. Thank you for looking after these gorgeous animals. My heart goes out to all of you for your sad loss.
Goodbye, Creator. All the others before you await to greet you.
Thank you Michael Blowen and Diane White! You are so special…Rest in peace, dear Creator…
He had a great last 10 years at Old Friends enjoying his retirement!
Mike and Diane: My heart goes out for you in your loss of Creator. He was truly an amazing racehorse and his beauty is evident. In seeing his picture in the off track thoroughbreds, I wish I had him. He was truly an example of GOd’s way of giving us beautiful horses to enjoy and love. My heart goes out to you and yours that have cared for him and will miss him. I’ve never had to put a horse of mine down to colic but I have for laminitis, etc. so I know what you are going through now. He is now with his friends in the best place we know, and he is looking down from above to watch over you and continue his love from above to the place that gave him peace, friendship, and a retirement that only a few can enjoy. God Bless!
Rest Great One!