Easy Living: Champion Wise Dan Enjoying Retirement

As he has for the past few years, two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan is enjoying the winter days at trainer Charles LoPresti's Forest Lane Farm near Athens, Ky. The 9-year-old gelding has spent each winter between racing seasons at the farm, and is familiar with the farm and routine.

This time it's a bit different for Wise Dan. The location and surroundings are the same, but this time, Wise Dan is a 'retiree' – and he's enjoying every minute of his relaxed life on the farm.

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary recently interviewed Charlie and Amy LoPresti, and checked in to see what Wise Dan has been up to since he was retired in September. Many of Wise Dan's days are spent sharing a pasture with his half-brother, Successful Dan, and two Black Angus heifers.

The chestnut gelding has been under saddle a few times; Amy has ridden him out with Forest Lane's recently broken yearlings.

“You know, so many of these racehorses come home with big old ankles and they have no life after that,” LoPresti said. “He's going to have a life, and that was a goal of mine. I wanted him to have a normal life. We can do a lot of things with him.”

Read more at Thoroughbred Racing Commentary