Eye of the Tiger, a two-time graded stakes winner, was found dead in his paddock March 18 at Old Friends in Georgetown, Ky. Necropsy results are pending. Eye of the Tiger was 23 and had been at the farm since June 27, 2016.
Bred and owned by John D. Gunther, the son of American Chance—Dial a Trick, by Phone Trick, Eye of the Tiger was foaled in Kentucky on April 10, 2000.
First trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Eye of the Tiger captured his debut at Golden Gate Fields at 2 and later went on to win the Affirmed Handicap (G3) as a 3-year-old at Hollywood Park for his first graded stakes victory. Also that year, Eye of the Tiger competed in the Kentucky Derby (G1), finishing fifth behind Funny Cide.
For his 4-year-old season, Kiaran McLaughlin picked up the training duties for Eye of the Tiger's final five races. It was under McLaughlin's care he scored the biggest win of his career in the Washington Park Handicap (G2) at Arlington Park.
He retired with five wins, two seconds, four thirds, and $535,679 in earnings from 19 career starts.
Eye of the Tiger entered stud at Gunther's Glennwood Farm near Versailles, Ky., in 2006.
In 2016, Eye of the Tiger was pensioned and sent to Old Friends to enjoy his retirement.
"Eye of the Tiger was the Garbo of Old Friends," said Old Friends' owner Michael Blowen. "Give me what I need and get lost. Handsome, self-reliant, and now missed."
