Fortunate Prospect dies at age 31

Twelve-time stakes winner and pensioned sire Fortunate Prospect died March 15 at the Old Friends equine retirement haven, the Georgetown, Ky., farm announced Friday.

The 31-year-old Northern Prospect horse was euthanized due to age-related complications, farm founder Michael Blowen said. Fortunate Prospect was the farm’s oldest retiree.

“Old Friends veterinarian Dr. Doug Byars arrived at the farm within minutes of Fortunate Prospect showing signs of distress and advised euthanasia after a thorough examination,” an Old Friends release noted.

Florida-bred Fortunate Prospect won a dozen stakes between 1983 and 1986 at racetracks from California to New Jersey to Florida, headlined by a Grade 3 win in Santa Anita’s 1984 San Vicente Stakes and back-to-back wins in the 1985 and 1986 Equus Handicap at Garden State Park, including a track record-equaling performance in the race’s first division in 1985.

Fortunate Prospect retired from racing with 13 wins in 39 starts as well as five seconds and three thirds. He earned $439,875.

As a sire at Farnsworth Farms, his top runners included Suave Prospect, runner-up in the 1995 Florida Derby; Grade 1 placed Pocho’s Dream Girl, dam of 2012 graded placed Mark Valeski; graded winners Fortunate Faith, Vesta, Bold World, Dominant Prospect, and Notagoldbrick; and two-time Puerto Rican Horse of the Year Lightning Al.

Fortunate Prospect’s most lasting influence is likely to be as a broodmare sire. He is the broodmare sire of Successful Appeal, Musket Man, Z Fortune, and 2012 Santa Anita Handicap winner Ron the Greek.