Independent George was larger than life, quirky and opinionated during his long racing career – an unforgettable character in every respect. The winner of multiple stakes races, he had his first start at Gulfstream Park as a 3-year-old in 2006 and wrapped things up with a win in a claiming race at Tampa Bay Downs at age 9 in 2012. His unlikely second career was as a trail horse in the Badlands of North Dakota with his very devoted and loving owner, Kari Kay Thorson (pictured). Kari Kay kept her social media pages populated with photos and videos of their extraordinary adventures, which George clearly embraced and enjoyed. Sadly, George passed away after a paddock accident in 2019…and Kari Kay misses him to this day.
“I just wish I’d had more time.”
Independent George
Gray/Roan Gelding, April 30, 2003
Cozzene – Daylight Ridge, by Dayjur
Bred by Mike G. Rutherford
44 – 8 – 9 – 4 $395,464
Multiple Stakes Winner
Sara Renzulli
Sara Renzulli is a Mid-Atlantic artist who has been drawn to oils and pastels depicting rural life, spending 20 years painting sporting art subjects for commissions and galleries. Sara is now president of Sarafina Fiber Art, a world wide distributor of needle felting supplies. Her work can be found on Facebook at Sarafina Fiber Art and Sarafina Fine Art.