1997 Belmont winner Touch Gold is euthanized at age 31
Touch Gold, winner of the 1997 Belmont Stakes, was euthanized at the age of 31 because of the infirmities of old age, Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., reported Thursday The two-time Grade 1 winner had resided at Old Friends since 2015.
“Saying farewell to Touch Gold is really hard for everyone at Old Friends,” Old Friends president and CEO John Nicholson said. “This tough old racehorse has been a special part of our life for many years. It was clear that he loved his life at Old Friends and enjoyed all the attention he received. Touch Gold was one of the best in a great era for our sport. We will miss him every day.”
In what is widely regarded as one of the strongest 3-year-old crops of all time, Touch Gold was one of the main players in the division in 1997 for owner Frank Stronach. Trainer David Hofmans had the colt start his season in a Santa Anita allowance race, which he easily won by four lengths. He would show even more talent in the Grade 2 Lexington in his next start when he easily won by 8 1/2 lengths.
A memorable Triple Crown series saw Touch Gold finish fourth in the Preakness Stakes in his next start. That rare off-the-board finish was quickly forgotten, however, when he played Triple Crown spoiler to his eventual paddock neighbor Silver Charm with a three-quarter length victory in the Belmont. Showing that wasn’t a fluke victory, he came back one start later to win the Haskell Invitational (G1).
In all, Touch Gold won six of 15 starts with four other top-three finishes in his career for $1,679,907 in earnings. He became an influential stallion for Stronach’s Adena Springs Farms upon his retirement from racing as both a sire and broodmare sire. His 29 stakes winners and 67 stakes performers include four Grade 1 winners, including fellow Old Friends’ resident Seek Gold.
Hall-of-Fame jockey and Belmont Stakes partner, Chris McCarron, said, “Touch Gold was a terrific racehorse. Along with his talent, he demonstrated tremendous courage and will to win. I was so excited and pleased when he joined the many wonderful Thoroughbreds at Old Friends, which gave me the opportunity to visit him and thank him for all the thrills he provided me. I will miss him.”
In a statement, Eric Hamelback, former general manager of Adena Springs, said, “Touch Gold’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those like me, who were fortunate enough to know him. I remember Touch Gold was as tough as they come, at the races and in the breeding shed. He was intelligent, determined, and full of heart. His strength of character and quiet presence left a lasting impression on everyone who worked with him. My relationship with Touch Gold has been one of the great privileges of my career and my life. He was more than a champion. He also was a teacher in his own right, reminding us daily of the courage, resilience and heart that define the Thoroughbred spirit. Touch Gold gave us everything he had, and we are all better for having known such a great horse. May you rest easy, my friend.”