Alphabet Soup and beautiful George at Old Friends in 2017 | Laura Battles
Alphabet soup (Cozzene – Illiterate, of Arts and Letters), winner of the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic memorable innovation at Woodbine in 1996, died January 28 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Ranch in Georgetown, Kentucky, due to chronic kidney disease. The oldest surviving Classic winner, gray is 31 years old and has been crowned at the ranch since 2015.
Raised in Pennsylvania by the Southeast Associations, Alphabet Soup was coached to Georgia B. Ridder by David Hofmans and reached 4-year-old hands in 1995, winning the GII Del Mar Budweiser Breeders’ Cup S.
Proving an even better 5-year-old, Alphabet Soup won GII San Pasqual H. and GII San Antonio H. earlier in the season before showing its versatility with a 3 1/ 2 in a seven-match GIII Pat O ‘Brien H. match on the field that included future Sprint hero GI Breeders’ Cup Lit De Justice (El Gran Senor). Dropped to third place after a clear win at GII Goodwood Breeders’ Cup H., Alphabet Soup went 19-1 in that year’s Classic, the first tournament held north of the border, and surpassed GI Preakness hero S. Louis Quatorze (Sovereign Dancer) and reigning Cigar champion (Palace Music). He retired with 10 wins in 24 starts and a mere $3 million in earnings.
Alphabet Soup took the course at Adena Springs and selected 39 stake winners, 14 at graded levels, including Level I winners Egg Drop, Alphabet Kisses and G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen hero Our New Recruit. He has picked out more than 700 winners in his career.
“I am saddened to hear that Alphabet Soup has passed away today,” said driver Chris McCarron, who drove Alphabet Soup to victory at the Breeders’ Cup. “I really enjoyed my relationship with ‘Soupy,’ and he will always have a special place in my heart. He represented the United States brilliantly when he won the best for Cigar and Louis Quatorze in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Rest in peace old friend. ”
“It wouldn’t be the same here without the Soup,” said Old Friends president and founder Michael Blowen. “For the past seven years, he has been a pleasure to be around with his sweet nature and immense popularity. He brought joy to everyone.
“His best friend, the donkey Gorgeous George, will miss him dearly,” Blowen added, “and so will everyone on the farm. We are grateful to Frank Stronach and everyone at Adena Springs for the privilege of rematching this famous champion. “
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This story was posted in Top News and tagged Adena Springs, Alphabet soup, Breeders ‘Cup Classic, Cigar, David Hofmans, Georgia Kidder, Race, Old friends.
