Fighting Ferrari, Equine Star of the Hit Movie "Seabiscuit"
a Favorite with Wranglers and Guests.

(Telluride, Colorado)

Guests coming to the Skyline Ranch this fall and for future summer seasons to come will have the added treat of a personal encounter with a Hollywood star. Fighting Ferrari, the horse that played the starring role of Seabiscuit in the hit 2003 movie of the same name is now a permanent resident at the ranch. Chosen by Director Gary Ross for his uncanny likeness to the 1930's racing legend Seabiscuit, Fighting Ferrari has adapted well to his new life and surroundings. Ranch owners Dave and Sherry Farny plan to eventually work him into the string of horses regularly ridden by ranch guests.

Seabiscuit producers Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy who own property neighboring Skyline Ranch fell in love with Fighting Ferrari because of his easy demeanor and loveable resemblance. They bought him from the movie company for $5,000. When it came time to place him in a good home, they immediately thought of their friends the Farnys and Skyline where, in the words of Kennedy, "he could have a nice life."

In the movie, the role of Seabiscuit was played by a total of ten different horses, but Fighting Ferrari stood out as the director's choice. Bred as a racer, Fighting Ferrari won a $5,000 claiming race at River Downs in Ohio in 2002. It proved to be the only cash win of his short career. The thoroughbred was later discovered and then picked to play the superstar Seabiscuit in all of the close-up scenes on the track and in the crowd because of his looks and cool-headed nature.

Tobey Maguire (a.k.a. Spiderman) who played the part of Seabiscuit's legendary jockey Red Pollard, developed a special relationship with Fighting Ferrari during the filming. In a recent interview Maguire noted, "I didn't get to know all the horses that well but I probably had the greatest relationship with the one named Fighting Ferrari. I do love horses!"

It was the friendship between the Farnys and their neighbors Marshall and Kennedy that brought Fighting Ferrari to the Skyline Ranch. Located in the San Juan Mountains of Western Colorado, just eight miles from the trendy town of Telluride, Skyline sits among the aspens and pine at an elevation of 9,600 feet surrounded by the mesmerizing beauty of 14,000-foot peaks. (For years) Marshall and Kennedy have granted Skyline Ranch permission to run trail rides across their adjacent property. It has been their expressed desire to preserve and protect the natural beauty of their land and subsequently decided not to develop it into a ranch with facilities for horses. After acquiring Fighting Ferrari it was a logical decision to retire him to the care of the Farnys, the spellbinding beauty of the Rockies, and the active life of a guest ranch horse.

Skyline Ranch Manager John Fugatt admits that "Seabiscuit's" arrival has caused quite a stir. "For one thing, he was the star of the recent Telluride Film Festival brunch we hosted at the ranch. Everyone wanted to pet him and get a picture," claimed Fugatt. "Right now he has his own V.I.P. stall in the barn but he's slowly adapting to life with the rest of the herd."

His levelheaded character lends itself well to Skyline's goal of eventually using him in their regular string of dude horses. "He's a wonderful horse to ride," states ranch owner Dave Farny, "very smooth and sure-footed. Better yet, he has a great personality and is wonderful with the guests."

Fighting Ferrari came to the ranch in early August in excellent shape, coming off a series of promotional appearances associated with the release of the movie. Since then he's settled into ranch life, even gaining a few extra pounds claims Fugatt. "But once he's involved in the regular routine and we get him into training, especially at this altitude, he'll be fit as ever."

Folks wanting to book a stay at Skyline Ranch and meet this year's most celebrated horse best do so quickly. The ranch is only open through September 28th. Fighting Ferrari will be moved along with the rest of the string to the Farny's winter ranch outside of Norwood, Colorado. But he will be back again next year on June 13th, 2004 as Skyline kicks off its summer ranch season.

For the balance of this year the ranch offers a three-night stay with check-in on Sunday evening and check-out on Wednesday morning for $750 per person. A four-night package runs Wednesday evening through Sunday morning and is priced at $1,000 per person. The standard seven-night package runs Sunday to Sunday and is priced at $1,800 per person. Rates are all-inclusive with the exception of tax, gratuities, optional activities, and items of a personal nature.

In one of the world's most breathtaking mountain settings, Skyline Ranch provides Summer, Fall, and Winter adventures with an emphasis on nature and the outdoors. Life in the mountains tends to be unpredictable, which makes the experience you get at Skyline very real and alive.

For more information, space availability, reservations and a chance to interact with "Seabiscuit" call toll-free, 888-754-1126 or log onto www.skylineguestranch.com.

Skyline Guest Ranch
Phone: 970-728-3757
Fax: 970-728-6728
Web site: www.skylineguestranch.com