Passing peacefully in his 23rd year at his home farm of John Carey’s TC Westmeath Stud in Mulmur, Ontario on Nov 17, 2024, Old Forester leaves a remarkable legacy.
As a racehorse, Old Forester earned $461,080 and set a new track record in 2005 at Gulfstream Park running 8 ½ f. in 1:38.2. He was a three-time stakes winner including the Grade 3 Cliff Hanger S. and placed in multiple graded stakes. He was a half-brother to champion Catch a Glimpse.
Old Forester entered his stud career in 2007 and bred 949 mares in his 17 years at stud (including pregnancies of 2024), all at TC Westmeath Farm under the care of John Carey and family. Old Forester was a constant in the ever-changing Ontario breeding scene.
He was an immediate hit with Ontario breeders, as he was a dependable source of speed and precocity.
Old Forester was the leading sire in Canada five times, in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017.
He will be remembered for his incredible production of offspring that raced and gave their all at the track, most notably Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee of 2017, PINK LLOYD.
Pink Lloyd was a phenomenon and a crowd favourite, racing six years in Canada commencing in 2016. Pink Lloyd (2012 by Old Forester- Gladiator Queen- Great Gladiator) earned $2,455,430, won an incredible 26 stakes races including three Grade 2s and nine Grade 3s. He was in the money in 34 of his 38 starts. He was Canadian Champion male sprinter from 2017-2021, Champion Older Horse twice, as well as Canadian Horse of the Year in 2017.
As a sire, Old Forester’s offspring have earned over $35,000,000 to date and won almost 1,100 races. As a broodmare sire, Old Forester mares have produced offspring with earnings of $5,465,180.
His impact on the Ontario breeding industry will be long-lasting.
