TRF PRESS RELEASE (Edited)

OCALA, FL—The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is deeply saddened to share the passing of Florida-bred millionaire Forbidden Apple, a cherished 30-year-old member of the TRF herd. Forbidden Apple was humanely euthanized on Monday, June 16t, due to the infirmities of old age.

Arriving at the TRF’s Second Chances Program at Lowell Correctional Facility in Ocala, Fla. on Aug. 2, 2013, Forbidden Apple spent the last 12 years of his life teaching, healing, and inspiring the incarcerated women of Lowell, who cared for him daily.

A Grade 1 winner with lifetime earnings of $1.6 million, Forbidden Apple made 31 career starts, including three appearances in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), including a second-place finish to Val Royal (Fr) in 2001 at Belmont Park. He is one of only 12 Florida-breds to make at least three starts in a Breeders’ Cup race.

A homebred for the late Arthur I. Appleton, Forbidden Apple counted among his most significant victories the 2001 Manhattan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park, the Kelso Handicap (G2) twice in 2000 and 2001, and the Belmont Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2) in 2000.

His time after racing was just as important as his time on the track. At Lowell, Forbidden Apple, affectionately known as “Apple,” quickly became a favorite among Second Chances Program students and staff. His gentle demeanor, playful nature, and deep love for treats and grooming brushes made him both a teacher and a companion to all who knew him.

Spoiled in all the right ways, Forbidden Apple enjoyed a peaceful retirement, surrounded by people who loved and cared for him every day. Whether trotting across the pasture or gently nosing a brush from a student’s pocket, Forbidden Apple found a forever place in the hearts of everyone he met.

Forbidden Apple lived a long and meaningful life, filled with success, love and sanctity. The TRF family is especially grateful for the years he spent at Lowell, gently guiding and teaching the women in our Second Chances Program, and being a steady, four-legged friend to all who knew him.

The Forbidden Apple Stakes is run each July at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York.

Return to the June 21 issue of Wire to Wire