Free Spirit's Joy headed to Old Friends retirement home

Free Sprit’s Joy, winner of the 1991 Super Derby, is the newest addition to the Old Friends equine retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky.

A 22-year-old Joey Bob stallion, Free Sprit’s Joy had been retired in Colorado but will relocate to Old Friends largely through the efforts of former jockey Suzie Picou-Oldham, daughter of Free Spirit’s Joy’s trainer, Clarence Picou. Picou-Oldham is a bloodstock associate at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington.

A Louisiana-bred, Free Spirit’s Joy won 8 of 32 starts before retiring from the racetrack in 1995. He also finished second 6 times and third 7 times and earned $841,277. The Grade 1 Super Derby was his only graded victory, but Free Spirit’s Joy also won four other stakes, all at Louisiana Downs, and placed in six.

Free Spirit’s Joy is out of Rays Joy, a Grade 3-placed Staunch Avenger mare who also produced seven-time stakes-winner Sprirtbound and stake-placed R. B Spirit.