By: Ewan Thomson

Funny Cide was an amazing horse that won the 2003 Kentucky Derby, a horse race that helps young racehorses grow. Sadly, he died last week in a farmhouse at the age of 23.

Funny Cide was very impressive and won multiple races. In Funny Cide’s first race, his owners were astounded at how well he was performing. According to NPR KQED, One of The Funny Cide’s co-owners reported that he, “could not believe my eyes.” They also said, “That’s our horse out front. I kept waiting for something to fall apart.” It was a life-changing moment for The Funny Cide’s lucky owners as it made them dedicate the life to racing. The Funny Cide also won $3.5 million for his owners before he retired when most horse owners don’t even get back their investment on the hose. Horse races make money off of bets from the public that is pooled and distributed.

Winning the Kentucky Derby just was not only because of luck however, because Funny Cide did it again. Just two weeks after he won the Kentucky Derby he won at the Preakness Stakes, dominating the field by almost 10 lengths. Unfortunately, Funny Cide did not win the triple crown. To win the triple crown you need to win the 3 big races for young horses and Funny Cide only won 2.

All in all, it was a very impressive run for Funny Cide. After retirement, Funny Cide spent the last 15 years of his life at a horse farm in Kentucky before dying this week of complications linked to Colic. Colic is pain in a horses abdomen and is the leading cause of premature death in domesticated horses. According to NPR KQED Constance said, “Funny Cide just loved to run,” a great passion for running that he used well throughout his career.

Now that you have read this article I have a simple request to watch a horse race or maybe buy one yourself.