Sunday, July 16, 2023

Funny Cide

Today I woke up to the sad news that 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Funny Cide had crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Funny Cide raced until he was seven. After that, he spent a couple years working on the track as a pony horse. In December 2008, he retired and moved into the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions.
photo by Darleen Stoddard
In that capacity, he presided over thirteen and two thirds in-person BreyerFests. 
Thousands of hobbyists - myself included - have taken photos of him...
photo by Teresa Rogers, 2016
photo by Suzanne Combs, 2022
and with him.
Bobbie Allen and Funny Cide, 2019
Kenzie Williamson and Funny Cide, 2022
Clarice Bone and Funny Cide,  2018
Missy Shaw and Funny Cide, 2022
Darleen Stoddard's son and Funny Cide, 2022
Allison Pareis and Funny Cide, 2019
Action Stan and Funny Cide
photo by Allison Pareis
Kim Szudlarek writes: I was ten when Funny Cide made his Triple Crown bid and remember watching the races with my mom. In 2016, I went to the KHP and was so happy to meet him. It was the highlight of my trip!
Emmalene St. Onge also had a personal connection to Funny Cide. She explains: I grew up in a town next to where his owners are from in New York. Since he was a local celebrity, after he retired they brought him to Sackets Harbor to meet all of his loyal fans. I’ve been lucky enough to meet him twice, that day  in Sackets and also at BreyerFest 2019.
As is often the case with older horses and colic, Funny Cide was fine right up until he wasn't. Missy Shaw took this picture of him on Thursday...
and Kirsten Wellman snapped this shot yesterday.
Here he is when Kenzie Williamson said goodnight to him after the auction.
In the last several years, my feelings about the sport of horse racing have become really complicated. I no longer follow the Triple Crown races like I used to, but I do still love grand old horses like Funny Cide whose gallant efforts on the track captured the hearts and imaginations of so many horse girls like myself. 
photo by Missy Shaw
Rest easy, old man, and thank you.

2 comments:

  1. Rest in peace Funny Cide.

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  2. We sheltered the storm Saturday by him. He was living his best life. They had roped off a little bit in front of his stall so he could step into the hallway and be admired by everyone and have a real good view of his races on the tv. He was so beloved.

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