Our Commitment
Phantom On Tour - Official 'Spokeshorse'
Phantom on Tour, the official "spokeshorse" for the Green Pastures Program and the Kentucky Derby Museum's Resident Thoroughbred, is probably best known for the race he didn't win. He finished sixth in the 123rd "Run for the Roses" behind 1997 Kentucky Derby winner and eventual 3-year-old champion Silver Charm.
During his sophomore campaign, the flashy chestnut with a distinctive white blaze and four white socks was owned by the late W. Cal Partee and trained by Lynn Whiting, the duo that claimed the 1992 Derby with Lil E. Tee.
A decisive victory in the Rebel Stakes (Grade III) at Oaklawn Park put Phantom on the Kentucky Derby trail. While he didn't smell the roses as a 3-year-old, Phantom rebounded nicely to enjoy a successful 4-year-old season, scoring victories in Oaklawn's Crabapple Stakes and the Grade III New Orleans Handicap at the Fairgrounds. Despite his success in the handicap division, injury forced his retirement at the end of 1998.
Phantom proved to be infertile and unsuitable as a stallion prospect, and through an unusual - but not uncommon - set of circumstances, he returned to racing in August 2001. Unfortunately, he did not enjoy the same triumphs he achieved in his youth.
A group of racing fans that wanted to see Phantom retired permanently started a fund-raising campaign, hoping to purchase him and turn him over to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation ("TRF"). The group contacted Churchill Downs Incorporated for assistance, and within a matter of days the Company and Calder Race Course, its Miami-area racetrack, contributed the remaining funds needed to retire Phantom and, with the TRF's help, arrange for his adoption by the Kentucky Derby Museum.
In addition to his "spokeshorse" duties of promoting the Green Pastures Program and the benefits of adopting and sponsoring retired racehorses, Phantom will help find homes for retired Thoroughbreds. During Phantom's regular vacations, another TRF retiree suitable for adoption will take up residence in Phantom's paddock behind the Museum. Information about adopting the visiting horse - and about TRF's racehorse adoption and sponsorship programs - will be provided to the Museum's many visitors.
