Narrow Escape, the first Thoroughbred pensioned at Old Friends retirement facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, was euthanized on Saturday because of complications from colic and old age.

The 26-year-old Exceller mare out of Gantlette (Ire), by Run the Gantlet, was a three-time winner from 21 starts. She joined Old Friends in 2004 after she was listed as reserve not attained on final bid of $1,000 at the ’04 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale.

Owner Barbara Frank donated Narrow Escape to Old Friends.

“She was just a wonderful mare,” said Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends. “And this loss is very hard. She was the grand dame of our farm, and with a name like Narrow Escape, it was inevitable that she should end up here.”

A memorial service for Narrow Escape will be announced at a later date. For more information, contact the farm at 502-863-1775.