Kudos, a multiple stakes-winning gelding, died Jan. 4 at Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., announced president and founder Michael Blowen.
The 26-year-old bay Thoroughbred by Kris S.—Souq, by Damascus, was found dead in his paddock during late-afternoon feeding. The reason for his death is currently unknown. Necropsy results are pending to get an accurate cause of death.
Bred and owned by longtime Old Friends supporters Jerry and Ann Moss, Kudos was foaled in Kentucky on April 17, 1997.
Trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella his entire career, Kudos began racing in 1999 but did not win his first race until his eighth start as a 4-year-old in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita Park on March 17, 2001. He then won his next three consecutive races, two allowance races, and the Jim Murray Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park for his first stakes victory.
In 2002, he won two more stakes races—the San Marino Handicap at Santa Anita and the Oaklawn Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park, his first graded stakes win, and the biggest win of his career. In the race, he came back from 16 lengths behind to win by 4 3/4 lengths.
As a 6-year old in 2003, he won the Californian Stakes (G2), finished second in the San Pasqual Handicap (G2), and third in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), the Oaklawn Handicap, and the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), his final race.
Kudos retired with seven wins, five seconds, four thirds, and $1,238,935 in earnings in 24 starts.
In 2006, the Mosses donated Kudos to Old Friends for his retirement. He was the second horse they retired to Old Friends; the first was Ruhlmann.
"Kudos was one of our first stars and enchanted us for nearly 17 years," said Blowen. "He was a great symbol of our growth. I can't thank Jerry and Ann and (racing manager) Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs enough for allowing us to spend all this time with their treasure."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
