Gold Round, the first group stakes winner produced by Wertheimer et Frere's blue hen mare Born Gold, was euthanized in her paddock at the Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm Dec. 19 due to complications from colic.
The 27-year-old daughter of Caerleon was a half sister to three-time Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) winner Goldikova and the last remaining retiree of the three original LNJ Foxwoods mares retired to Old Friends in Georgetown, Ky. The others were 22-year-old Mystery Trip, who was euthanized May 1, 2023, due to chronic foot issues, and 24-year-old Hi Dubai, who died Aug. 24. LNJ Foxwoods owners Larry, Nanci, and Jaime Roth sent Gold Round to Old Friends in September 2020.
"I am saddened by the loss of Gold Round," said John Nicholson, president and CEO of Old Friends. "I enjoyed seeing this sweet mare in the LNJ Foxwoods paddock every day from my office window. In addition to being a remarkably successful broodmare, she and her paddock mates served as a reminder of the Roth family's devotion to their horses and their partnership with Old Friends. We are consoled that leaving us at 27 years old, she enjoyed rich and happy retirement years with her LNJ Foxwood companions."
Raced as a homebred by Wertheimer et Frere, Irish-bred Gold Round won or placed four times out of six starts at 2 and became a stakes winner in the 1999 Prix des Sablonnets. At 3, she became a group winner in the Prix Cleopatre (G3) at Saint Cloud and also ran third in the Prix de la Grotte (G3) at Longchamp. She retired after her sophomore campaign with a 3-2-1 record out of 10 starts and earnings of $82,340.
Gold Round shone brightest as a broodmare. For Wertheimer ed Frere she produced Prix du Lys (G3) winner Goldwaki, a son of Dalakhani; stakes winner Spectaculaire (Spectrum); and, six other winners. LNJ Foxwoods bought Gold Round at the 2012 Arqana December Sale in foal to Dalakhani for €520,000 (US$672,152) through Solis/Litt Bloodstock.
For LNJ Foxwoods, Gold Round produced five more stakes performers including Prix Minerve (G3) winner Golden Valentine, who the mare was carrying when she was sold at Arqana; and, grade 1-placed, grade 3 winner Luck (Kitten's Joy), who won the 2022 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) and ran second in the 2021 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1T). The mare's other stakes performers are grade 3-placed winner Golden (Tapit ) and stakes-placed winners Golden Attitude (Redoute's Choice) and Golden Box (Kitten's Joy). Out of 14 foals to race, Gold Round produced 13 winners and four stakes winners, which included three grade/group winners. Her progeny has earned more than $1.6 million.
Gold Round was retired as a broodmare at 23. In 2020, the Roth family approached Old Friends founder Michael Blowen about retiring some of its mares to the farm. As part of the agreement, LNJ Foxwoods built a dedicated paddock for them and provided a stipend to cover their retirement cost. The first two mares the owner/breeders sent to Old Friends were Gold Round and Mystery Trip and followed soon after by Hi Dubai.
