Point Given, 2001 horse of the year, dies at age 25
Point Given, who won the 2001 Preakness and Belmont en route to horse of the year honors, died Monday at age 25, according to an announcement from the Kentucky Horse Park. The son of Thunder Gulch had lived there for the last five years since being pensioned from stud.
Point Given was trained by Bob Baffert for The Thoroughbred Corp., which also bred him. He was one of the better 2-year-olds of 2000, winning the Hollywood Futurity (G1) and the Kentucky Cup Juvenile (G3). He also finished second in the Champagne (G1) and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
It was the next year, at age 3, when Point Given truly flourished. On the strength of wins in the San Felipe (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1), he was the 9-5 favorite in the Kentucky Derby. But he flattened out in the lane to finish fifth behind Monarchos, the only race of his career in which he finished out of the exacta. He won his last four races, all of which offered purses of $1 million or more: the Preakness, Belmont, Haskell and Travers.
He was retired after the Travers because of a tendon strain, ending his career with a 13: 9-3-0 record and over $3.9 million in earnings. Point Given was named champion 3-year-old male and horse of the year for 2001. He also was named to the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Point Given stood stud at Three Chimneys Farm from 2002 through 2013, and then at Calumet Farm until being pensioned in late 2017. He sired a pair of champions in Canada: 2007 horse of the year Sealy Hill and 2009 champion grass mare Points of Grace. He also sired Grade 1 winners in the U.S., including 2006 Del Mar Debutante winner Point Ashley, 2008 Pacific Classic winner Go Between and 2011 Haskell winner Coil.
“I’m saddened to hear of Point Given’s passing,” said Gary Stevens, Point Given's regular jockey. “He was, to me, the greatest horse to not win the Triple Crown. It was an honor to ride such a phenomenal horse. Rest in peace, PG.”
“Not only was Point Given a dual classic-winning Hall of Famer, but he was also an excellent ambassador for horse racing and the state of Kentucky,” Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions supervisor Rob Willis said in a Monday release. “He was a big stallion that was fun to be around. Countless visitors enjoyed being in his presence over the years. It was an honor to care for him during his retirement. His presence will be missed.”
The Kentucky Horse Park will bury Point Given at its memorial walk of champions alongside Funny Cide, Go For Gin, Forego, Bold Forbes, John Henry, Alysheba and Da Hoss. A date for his public memorial service will be determined later.