Williamstown gets safe home

Williamstown, track record-setting winner of the 1993 Withers, has been retired from stud duty to the Old Friends equine retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., because of infertility.

A 17-year-old Seattle Slew horse, Williamstown had stood in Kentucky, New York, and Iowa in his breeding career. But he was found to be infertile this year while at Rockin River Ranch in Iowa, where he stood for $2,500 in 2007.

His owners filed an insurance claim, transferring ownership to Aubrey Insurance, which tried to relocate the horse to the University of Minnesota's equine program.

"I think he was only there about 10 days before they determined he wouldn't fit in their program," said Michael Blowen, founder of Old Friends.

Williamstown appeared to be out of options, and the insurers had signed an order to euthanize the horse last month. Three days before Williamstown was to be euthanized, an Aubrey employee contacted Blowen.

"This was the first time we've gotten a call from an insurance company asking, 'Do you want him?' " Blowen said. "I remembered this horse so well. I used to bet on him when he ran in New York."

Williamstown set a one-mile track record of 1:32.79 at Belmont with his Withers win, a mark that stood for 10 years. He also won or placed in 10 stakes, including a second in the Grade 1 King's Bishop. He earned $360,884.