Funny Cide fully retired, going to KHP

[Glimmerglass]

His duties as stable pony for Barclay Tagg and Robin Smullen have concluded and he'll be moved to the Kentucky Horse Park to join Alysheba next Friday (Dec 5) - they'll have an official welcome event then.

[Glimmerglass]

Recent video of him: Funny Cide after race career - "Still a Fan Favorite" (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/watch/DB7CDB1E-98D3-4FC7-8782-468D4109E3C8)

Per the BloodHorse 11-26 (http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=13172)

According to Tagg, "The rigors of racing and training for several years have started to cause him mild discomfort recently as he continued working on a regular basis as my stable pony. So, now the time has come, as he is turning 9-years-old, to really retire."

Robin Smullen, Tagg's assistant trainer stated, "We have been fortunate and very blessed to have had Funny Cide in our lives. He has changed people's perspective about horse racing. Realistically, he is a once in a lifetime horse and now he will be able to touch other people's lives in his retirement. We will miss him dearly in our daily schedule."

[texang73]

Cool!! :D

[khp vol]

Here's what the Horse Park has to say:
http://www.kyhorsepark.com/news.php?articleID=259&pageid=73&sectionid=9

There will be refreshments served at the ceremony for those hardy enough to attend.

[Lady Counselor]

Ah how I love KHP! I think I am due for another trip out to see Funny and Alysheba! :D
Wish I lived there, I would be at the park in a heartbeat.

[Bedazzle]

Why is he being completely retired? I thought he was settled in his new job?

[Vivace]

He's having some back issues, from what I've heard.

[Equinoxfox]

Exactly how big is he anyway. he looks to be a really tall horse . any ideas?:D

[caffeinated]

Wow. Alysheba AND Funny Cide? FC is one of my favorites... I'm so excited for Rolex now, can't wait to see these guys :)

[Glimmerglass]

Exactly how big is he anyway. he looks to be a really tall horse . any ideas?

Funny Cide is 16.2 hands tall

[Glimmerglass]

While he's been staying at WinStar Farms this past week today is the public-invited welcoming ceremony at the Kentucky Horse Park - I hope it's well attended.

An interesting quip is that if Funny Cide isn't happy at the KHP they'll take him back. So this may just be a brief visit ... not every horse enjoys retirement. So see him while you can!

BloodHorse 12-5-08 "Funny Cide Dealing With Soreness Issues" (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/48307/funny-cide-dealing-with-soreness-issues)

"When Funny was five, he had to be abruptly checked during a race," Smullen recalled. "We had a hard time getting Funny over the soreness." They turned to acupuncture and other therapies to help the horse overcome his sore back.

"It is not a major thing, but Barclay just didn't want Funny to be stiff," Smullen explained. "Every single day, as a pony horse, Barclay is sitting on him, and we just don't want Funny to have any discomfort at all."

Like many retirement decisions, this one can be rescinded if it does not work out. "If he doesn't take to it, he can come home," Smullen said. Tagg and Smullen plan to monitor Funny Cide's adjustment to complete rest and retirement.

"I want to do what is best for him," Smullen stated.

The public is invited to the Kentucky Horse Park for Funny Cide’s Welcome Reception on Friday, Dec 5 at 2pm. It is included with park admission.

[khp vol]

I was at the reception today and considering how cold it was, I'd say it was well attended (well over 100).

Funny Cide is in the northeast corner stall (diagonally opposite John Henry/Alysheba's stall) and he seemed to be enjoying himself looking out the stall window at the crowd. The photographers taking pictures, including one who sat on the top rail of the fence so that he was just inches away, didn't bother him at all.

Alysheba was contentedly grazing in his pasture, totally oblivious to everyone, much like his predecessor, John Henry, would have done.

[Glimmerglass]

The photographers taking pictures, including one who sat on the top rail of the fence so that he was just inches away, didn't bother him at all.

Very Funny Cide - he's been (since he found fame) rather accustomed to rather large crowds. Almost all of his races would be regarded as well attended with fans in the seats to his retirement ceremony at Saratoga and always around track activity. He's a far, far cry from his pre-Derby days when he'd rear and was very high strung.

Lexington 18 - video Derby Winner Funny Cide Arrives at New Horse Park Home (http://www.lex18.com/Global/category.asp?C=35554&nav=menu203_4)

Article - BloodHorse 12-5-08 "Funny Cide Heats Up Horse Park" (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/48328/funny-cide-heats-up-horse-park)

[EponaRoan]

Ah, but I remember Alysheba's racing days when he'd throw in a very well controlled little buck to play to the crowds. He was quite hammy back in the day. :)

[grits]

BH has a video clip of his arrival, too.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/watch/74C4FA46-A66B-4492-B76E-8EDA5780DF34

Guaranteed to make you smile . . . .

[Glimmerglass]

Funny Cide "update" (http://drf.com/news/article/100390.html)

Hall of Champions manager Cathy Roby said Funny Cide so far has not been difficult to handle, despite his longstanding reputation for toughness. He did rear and spin while parading at the ceremony when the crowd applauded for him, but other than those high spirits, "he's been just fine," Roby said.

The Hall of Champions staff already is discerning their newest resident's tastes and habits.

"He doesn't like carrots," Roby said of the former 3-year-old champion. "Or at least he didn't like the one I offered him. He loves peppermints, and they tell us he likes bread."

For his part, Funny Cide seemed contented with his new surroundings. Blanketed and returned to his stall after the official welcome, he alternately munched hay and stuck his head out of his stall's side window, which had a view of Da Hoss grazing in an adjacent paddock.

One can only hope later that night when everyone was getting acquainted - Da Hoss didn't say ask Funny Cide - Funny how? Do I amuse you, Funny how? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_ff46b58Hk) (R-rated) ;)

[Glimmerglass]

Oh come now .. what's next - an appearance at the Grand Opening of the local Piggly Wiggley (http://www.shopthepig.com/)? :D

Courier Press June 23, 2009 "Ellis Park going out with a bang" (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/jun/23/ellis-park-going-out-with-a-bang-funny-cide-at/)

Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, will be strutting his stuff for show on opening day, Saturday, July 11.

Kidding aside it is nice that Ellis Park - to be closed at the end of 2009 after 88 years of racing - is going all out to make it a season to remember. Having Funny Cide there is just one was I'm sure the Sackatoga folks want to give back to racing.