Old Fashioned (gray horse, 2006, by Unbridled’s Song x Collect Call, by Meadowlake)
Taylor Made; $12,500
Upon arriving at the stallion complex on Taylor Made, I was greatly anticipating what I’d find out about their new stallion Old Fashioned. The gray had such an impressive juvenile season in 2008 that I thought he was the best 2-year-old colt of the crop, even though he did not have the experience of several others and had not tested some of the better colts in the premier races.
At 2, Old Fashioned had won all three of his starts, including the G2 Remsen Stakes by 7 1/4 lengths. He was visually very impressive, and his times were good enough to earn a 100 Beyer Speed Figure for the Remsen and rave reviews from Thoro-Graph sheets maker Jerry Brown.
Those are impressive independent evaluations of the form this colt produced. The 2009 season for Old Fashioned was, however, mostly a disappointment, with only his victory in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn, followed by seconds in the Rebel and Arkansas Derby to Win Willy and Papa Clem. As later events would indicate, that wasn’t bad form, but Old Fashioned came out of his last race with an injury. That was the end of his racing career.
So when I approached the stallion barn to look at Old Fashioned, I was wondering what might have been. And my first impression of him could hardly have been more positive. A really well-balanced and attractive horse, Old Fashioned has a very good head with an intelligent eye, very good length, a strong and deep shoulder, allied with a powerful and lengthy hip.
The 4-year-old is deceptively large — standing a fraction over 16 hands — but he is no giant like his sire and grandsire. And standing back from him, he doesn’t look even even 16 hands because he is so harmoniously balanced and handsomely formed. In short, he looks like a horse who could sell for $800,000 as a yearling in the opening hour of the Keeneland September sale.
Old Fashioned has good bone, well-defined tendons, nicely shaped feet, and stands over plenty of ground. He turns out just a touch in front and is notably offset through the right knee.
The young stallion prospect carries plenty of condition, girths 76.5 inches, and has very good width and muscular development across his back. His mechanical traits are quite good and should match a very respectable number of mares.
bloodstock in the bluegrass 
Hi Frank,
I enjoyed your article today on the Paulick Report, which led me to your blog. I was a big fan of Old Fashioned, well actually I love all the Unbridled Songs and always take a second look, because even though the line has a reputation for unsoundness ( how true is that? ) most of them can run. So my question is ; did it appear to you, that it was the offset knee that did him in, or something else? Just curious about that. Thanks for your thoughts.
I have started a blog, it’s not even two weeks old!) and it’s in it’s infancy stage, and will probably be a continual work in progress, but if you care to visit, let me know what you think. Posts are short and sweet for now, again, “a work in progress”
http://asaturdayhorse.blogspot.com/
Susan,
I’m glad you enjoyed the story about Man o’ War and sons at Paulick Report.
With regard to the Unbridled’s Song stock, there is some tendency to soundness issues. I look at it this way: big + fast = higher stress = increased risk of soundness trouble.
I do not fall into the trap of saying “a horse is unsound.” What does that mean? Missing a leg? Most unsoundness is caused by doing something the horse isn’t supposed to be doing … like running really fast before it is reasonably mature, and additional time for maturing is something that would likely help all the USongs. A few have been reserved for racing later with very good results.
Anyway, with regard to Old Fashioned, yes, his offset knee is the key to his lack of a longer career, I believe. He had a ton of talent, and he is not a giant horse, unlike some of the other USongs. He is quite beautifully balanced and shows up well on nearly every mechanical profile you’d like. He’s a peach. BUT I would not send a mare to him who didn’t show a history of getting stock with some toughness and with hard, well-aligned knees.
All the best with your blog. I look forward to checking it out.
Frank.