Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

Melissa P — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:36:09 GMT

So glad that "great-grand-daddy" Noor has found a fitting resting place where generations can learn about him. Our very first mare was out of a Jaipur mare. Her second dam was by Noor. I always tried to find as much information as I could on Noor. I always hoped that, one day, we'd catch lightning in a bottle and have a horse who could run like he did.

Now when we visit Old Friends, we'll be able to remember our dear old mare while paying our respects to her great-grand-daddy.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

barryaksarben — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:45:49 GMT

I grew up outside Omaha Nebraska , worked for Jack Van Berg and went to the old AKSABEN with my parents and had to sit in an unshaded cyclone fenced area for kids with one surly track woeker who Im sure drew the short straw that day but I was always in awe of the fact that they had the great triple crown winner OMAHA buried on the premises and I have wondered since the track was closed whtever happened to his remains.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

Paseana — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:09:09 GMT

I remember a few years ago when the bulldozing of Hollywood Park looked imminent, I became very worried about the remains of Landaluce and Native Diver. I believe Native Diver was buried whole, and rests under a monument in the center of the walking ring behind the grandstand. I'm sure Landaluce was cremated, and her ashes are buried under a simple marker in the infield. There also may be other horses buried on the grounds there that I'm either forgetting, or just never knew about.

The destruction of Hollywood Park no longer seems like something that could happen today or tomorrow, but there's no doubt that it will happen someday. We can only hope that when the time comes, the Bay Meadows Land Company will offer Native Diver and Landaluce (and any others) the solemn dignity and respect that they deserve, and relocate their remains to a place where they will be tended and cared for in perpetuity.

By the way, Native Diver IS in the Hall Of Fame. Perhaps his body could find its way to the new cemetery at Old Friends too.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

longtimeracingfan — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:23:06 GMT

Today's facebook tells us that Noor is now safely buried at Old Friends. Apparently there were a lot of media there... maybe his story will help to encourage others to save or preserve the burials of our old champions. Thank you Charlotte and everyone who helped.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

mz — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:04:05 GMT

Just o let you know, Criminal Type..I contacted UOIT (Univ. of Ont. Inst. of Tech.) and the Communications Director, Lisa Banks confirms that since the article in the Star was written, their Maintenance Dept. has moved in and pulled weeds, cleared the site, and generally, will now continue to monitor and maintain the area until the land ownership problem is taken care of.

Ms. Banks told me that she had heard from many members of the horse racing community about this already, before my call today.

Yay!

(I'm still going to try to sneak in one day)

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

mz — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:43:43 GMT

Criminal Type: as is happening all over, they sold Windfields to developers and it was a condition that the University that owns a lot of the land in the area would maintain the gravesites -- Nearctic is there as well as Northern Dancer and others.

However, as is usual, while they try to figure out who actually has this responsibility, it looks like they are letting the sites go to hell.

I'm thinking, if I can just get the damn time, to go clip down some of the stinking weeds myself!

I'm gonna try to stay on it and find out who to yell at about this. (One more thing to do just after coming back from vacation -- work is getting in the way of my life!)

Re: where he gets moved to-- sorry, he should stay in Canada. We just need to get cracking on what to do about this!

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

Criminal Type — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:46:07 GMT

Thanks to everyone at Old friends for what they do for these great animals. I was devestated when I heard of Alysheba's death not long after he came home to reside at Old Friends. I was making plans to go see him, but he sadly passed away before I could get there.

I read an article in I think it was Thoroughbred times about the poor condition of Windfields Farm and the likely development of the land. I know Northern Dancer is buried there and im assuming some others. Is anything being done at this point in time to make sure that ND's remains are safe ? Given his place in throughbred history I think he should be moved to Old Friends or better yet, the Kentucky Horse Park

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

Freetex — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:24:36 GMT

Many thanks to Old Friends for the care, love, and dedication the old ones so richly deserve.

Awad I didn't know but I am so glad he experienced a remarkable life with remarkable people from beginning to end.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

Linda in Texas — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:52:18 GMT

Thank you Esther, such fitting words from those who knew him best. I admire the photo taken by Rick Capone as Awad is running along his paddock fence with the trail of dust following behind him.

Anyone who says this is 'just a business, don't fall in love with them,' should probably not really be in the business. As that is not the attitude or mind set that they have for those who care for them.

They aim to please if people will accept them as they are, gallant, proud and terribly talented all in each their own fashion.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

Paula Higgins — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:49:20 GMT

Great ypdate and wonderful memories expressed here. I have been donating every two weeks to Old Friends and allotting all of it to Noor's reburial until they no longer need the donation for that purpose and then they can apply it elsewhere. I hope they get what they need.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

serena — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:19:18 GMT

Great tribute to a wonderful horse. We were among his last visitors on the evening before he passed. This was probably our 5 visit to Old Friends and we decided to try to beat the heat and go the evening tour rather than the afternoon. KY was having temps close to 100 degrees for a while and it was miserably hot & muggy. In fact our guide that night (Martin???maybe...) expressed concern for the aged Fortunate Prospect as he seemed to be really sluggish with the heat. Our stop at Awad's paddock was close to the end of our visit and the guide just couldn't stop singing the praises of Awad and repeated much of what was stated in both Michael's and Jane's reflections above. You can tell how much these horses are loved by staff, volunteers and visitors/fans. To stand in the sweltering heat just to talk about and look at these animals says something about the dedication they inspire.

So in the waning hours of that hot summer evening, we said goodbye to the horses, never imagining that one, still in the prime of his life, would be gone come morning. When I read the news early the next day, I felt very sad for the farm's loss, because I know how much these horses touched everyone's lives. And no matter how many times you lose a pet/friend (as these horses seem to become!) it is never easy. Blessings to all at Old Friends.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

ntramont — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:18:40 GMT

I was at Old Friends the day of AWAD's passing that night. We were the last tour, and probably the last of his fans to see him.

He was having fun posing for us, eating the carrots we gladly fed him, and running the fence in his paddock, and was a happy and proud horse on his last day.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

TheMightyCurlin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:31:29 GMT

Thank you Jane for sharing your memories of Awad. Thank You Michael & Diane Blowen for providing a safe & loving home for our beloved retired athletes. Thank you Mr & Ms Donk for sharing your Shining Star with us.

And last but not least, Thank you to everyone who helped bring Noor to his final resting place at Old Friends. May God Bless You All!!

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

A Horsey Canuck — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:59:56 GMT

Esther, it's funny how such a towering animal can be referred to as "Wadie". My Mitch, whom I lost 10yrs ago on Aug. 31st, was always "Mitchie" to me. I think it says something about the inside of the horse, a gentle soul not realized. Thank you so much for sharing Jane Turner's memory of "Wadie". I will put this blog in my binder, in Awad's special space. I'm so glad that I was able to meet Awad, in person, albeit at a distance. And thank you, Jane, for sharing your "Wadie" with us. He was definitely one of the special ones. My condolences to you, Michael and all at Old Friends in Kentucky. I know that Awad will be missed by all who knew him.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

Stellar Jayne — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:57:37 GMT

What a lovely tribute to Awad by Jane. Her love for him shines brightly and I felt it as I read about him and his wonderful personality. He might be gone, but not forgotten. I loved the pictures of him. Thank you!

So glad to read that bringing Noor to Old Friends is moving ahead and that a full tribute will be paid to him when he is laid to rest there.

re: Update on Noor and Tribute to Awad

Rosita712 — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:54:03 GMT

Thank you for these wonderful memories of Awad. This was beautifully written. I know too it is a business but for all of that it is hard not to have feelings for these horses. Awad was special to me when he raced and it was great to get acquainted with him at Old Friends. He really did seem to enjoy life there and I know they took good care of him. I last saw him in May, walked down to that area just to see him. He was a character as always. He came running up and couldn't wait to show off. He always seemed to say, "look at me" and his presence was undeniable. He caught my eye the first time I saw him there and after that I always looked for him. Now of course I can look for him no more but he touched my life in a way you don't forget.