Dancin' Renee at Old Friends, photo by Rick Capone
Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY, has welcomed new retiree Dancin’ Renee, a graded-stakes winning mare and 1997’s New York Horse of the Year.
A homebred for owner Sanford Bacon, Dancin’ Renee is the New York-bred daughter of Distinctive Pro out of three-time New York Broodmare of the Year Lolli Lucka Lolli.
For three seasons, Renee had a stellar career on the track, with 14 wins from 21 starts. In her banner year, 1997, she claimed seven consecutive victories, including the GR3 Honorable Miss at Saratoga, the Broadway Handicap at Aqueduct, and the Monmouth Park Regret Stakes, which was her final start. Her earnings totaled $490,258.
For her efforts in ‘97, Dancin’ Renee was crowned New York Horse of the Year as well as Champion Sprinter and Champion Older Female by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.
The now 20-year-old broodmare is also well represented by several winners, including her first foal to earn black-type, the Limehouse daughter Risky Rachel. Earlier this season, Risky Rachel won the Friendly Island Iroquois at Belmont and the Union Avenue Stakes at Saratoga.
Donated by her owner-breeder, Dancin’ Renee arrived at Old Friends from New York on Friday, September 14.
“We have a lot of horses on our waiting list but I made the decision to take Dancin’ Renee because she was a remarkable athlete and Sanford loves her very much,” said Old Friends president and founder Michael Blowen. “She has already bonded with another great mare, one-time world-record holder Klassy Briefcase, and I’m just overjoyed.”
“I met Michael Blowen at a happening in Saratoga,” said Bacon of how he came to Old Friends. “Dennis Brida [the former executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders] introduced me to him. I said, ‘this looks like a wonderful program. I would hopefully like to send Dancin’ Renee there.’ Well, Michael knew her background and her record. He knew everything about her!
“I sent her there because the place is wonderful,” added Bacon, who said he plans to visit Renee as soon as he can.
