Hailee's veterinarian report

Here's a photo of my baby girl last October, taking a morning nap with her boyfriend, Ed. This weekend, Barbie managed a vet visit for Hailee to take stock of her fertility cycle for another attempt with Blue Who. Barbie and Tom have been working hard with her with the teaser stallion and monitoring her progress. Turns out the vet says that she has fast cycles and small follicles. She is still breedable, but it'll be more difficult than with an older, experienced, routine mare. Barbie, Tom and the vet are going to try a special technique later this week. I hope it works for her -- she would be a good mom and make a good foal! I'll keep you posted! Wish her bon chance!

Hailee's Joe Hancock!

Hailee is related to Foundation Horse and AQHA Hall of Famer, Joe Hancock. He is one of the all-time great sires of rope horses. And before his career was over, he was open to the world at any distance from the starting line to 3/8ths of a mile. In fact, he was so fast that people said that he brought tears to his riders' eyes. He was 1/4th Percheron which people think made him stout, tough, and with good bone. He's also the grandson of Peter McCue. Among his parents, he has two Quarter Horses, the Percheron, and a dash of Thoroughbred. He was a big eater, and was known more than once to eat all of his own bedding. He was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1992. Babies by him are known for their good sense, strong conformation, and remarkable speed. You can read more about this remarkable Foundation Horse at the following links:

This one is great:

http://www.cnrquarterhorses.com/joe-hancock.htm

or

http://www.havensfarms.com/King_Joe_Hancock_and_Joe_Reed_II.html

or

http://www.foundationhorses.com/joehancockped.htm

or

http://www.western-saddle-horse-tack-for-sale.com/joe-hancock.html

Pony Power at the Rolex!!!

History was made today at the Kentucky Rolex!! A PONY took third place!! He kept climbing up the ranks with great performances. He had a solid 15th place after dressage, climbed to 10th with a nearly perfect cross-country ride. The Rolex reporting said of his eventing that Teddy "clearly ready, met every fence dead-on." Of her cross-country ride, Karen O'Connor said, "It was a great learning experience. I'm still drunk on 'pony power.'" And THEN at stadium jumping, he jumped a clear round under time. He earned third!!! And, in fact, the first and second horse jumped clear rounds, but they had time faults, so Teddy's stadium round was better than theirs!!! I love pony power!!! The winning Rolex team was Clayton Fredericks on Ben Along Time and second place went to Phillip Dutton and Connaught. But our little Theodore O'Connor made a little teeny place in history with his enormous courageous heart. I hope Hailee gets to meet him some day!

Nicanor -- Barbaro's Baby Brother

Next week is the Kentucky Derby and another champion will run into the history books. This photo is taken from a really neat link by a gentleman named John who writes his thoughts about various issues facing horses around the world. I encourage you to go to his link which I post below. He is really an engaging thinker and has grown with a true appreciation for the importance of horses. Anyway, he was writing about "catching lightning in a bottle" and whether one could recapture the magic of any particular horse. He was mentioning how everyone has high hopes for Nicanor here, Barbaro's full-brother out of Dynaformer and La Ville Rouge. He talked about a few famous full-siblings in history, mentioning Ridan and Moccasin. You'll remember that Ridan was a famous horse who was beat in a match race in the Travers Stakes by Violet's relative Jaipur. I'll be writing about Moccasin, his champion sister, in a few weeks. He then mentioned Secretariat and his two full-sibling sisters. Secretariat's one sister, Syrian Sea won 2 graded stakes as a 2-year-old and became a great broodmare. Of his other sister, The Bride, his owner Penny Chenery said, "She couldn't beat a fat man running downhill." I got a big kick out of that. Anyway, visit John's site. He has an unusual point of view, a taste for travel, a respect for horses of all types and stripes, and a real perspective on social justice with animals. Namaste!!

http://www.horsesdiary.com

My Girls are Imps!!!

Imp was born in 1894 and lived for 15 years, passing in 1909. She raced a grueling 171 races, placing in the money 126 times. Her record was 171: 62-35-29. She beat the best boys of her day. She was owned and bred by Daniel R. Harness of Chillicothe, Ohio!! She was both a sprinter and a stayer, earning $70,069 in her career. She was voted U.S. Horse of the Year in 1899 and U.S. Champion Handicap Mare. She was inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame in 1965. She was so famous that when she returned to Chillicothe for a visit, the town declared it a public holiday and had a parade and band. They played the popular song of the time, "My Coal Black Lady" after their famous equine citizen. She was buried in Lexington, but Walmart trampled over her grave, along with the graves of other famous horses. My girls are related to her indirectly through their own connections to Eclipse. You can read more about this famous girl at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imp_(horse)

or

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=91

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Champs/AmHorseoftheYear.html

or

http://www.pedigreequery.com/imp

A Pony Takes Rolex by Storm!!!

This weekend is Rolex at the Kentucky Horse Park! I am sorry to be missing it, but have to focus on work for now! This year is a special Rolex because for the first time in history a PONY is competing in this major Four Star event!! Theodore O'Connor is being ridden by Karen O'Connor, a U.S. Olympian and spouse to David O'Connor, Olympic Gold Medalist and President of the United States Equestrian Federation. Theodore O'Connor's pet name by Karen is Theadorable. He is only 14' 1 3/4", so he is officially shorter than my sweet Hailee! He was 7th after the dressage test and he is 9th now, after the cross country. I hope he kicks butt tomorrow at the stadium jumping competition. I can hardly believe that he managed the huge, maximum-sized jumps of the cross country. And they say that this year's cross-country is much longer than any previously! Karen says of Teddy, "He doesn't know he's small. He thinks anything is possible!" What a good pony! I believe that Hailee could produce such fabulous kinds of ponies too! Anyway, he is 3/4ths thoroughred and a dash of Arabian and Shetland. And guess what? No surprise. He is heavily related to Violet and Hailee. He has Count Fleet, Reigh Count, Fair Play, Teddy, Discovery, La Troienne, Plucky Liege, Nasrullah, Sir Gallahad, Bend Or, and Questionnaire in his blood lines, to name a few of their relations. He even has Honest Pleasure in his background, an indirect relation to my girls! You can read more about this macho, history-making pony at the following links:

http://www.oconnoreventteam.com/horses_teddy.html
or
http://www.sportponiesunlimited.com/Sportponies_Unlimited_Connor.html
or
http://pets.webshots.com/album/500898533mACuGZ
or
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2007/04/185.shtml

Hastings and My Girls!

Man 'o War's grandpa on his sire's side is Hastings, born in 1893 near Versailles, Kentucky. His parents were Spendthrift and Cinderella. His race record was 21: 10-8-0 with a lifetime track earnings of $16,340. He was a great race horse, and ran some amazing courageous competitive races. He won the Belmont Stakes. He was purchased by August Belmont II for a record-setting $37,000. His mom, Cinderella, was ugly, mean-tempered, small and weedy. Even her heritage is dubious, as people question the likelihood of her parentage between two family lines. But his dad, Spendthrift, has a veritable royal pedigree, including the first English Triple Crown winner, West Australian. Hastings was a mean, combative, somewhat violent horse who fought his trainers, jockeys and handlers. He was notorious for biting other horses, during races. He was so naughty when he retired to the breed shed that they had to build a ramp between his stall and his turnout, so that people wouldn't have to handle him. He was routinely approached by people holding big ol' sticks!! He was even combative at the end of his life when he was paralyzed, and eventually put to sleep. But here's the thing -- he produced awesome, stakes-winning colts and fillies, including, of course, Fair Play, Man o' War's dad. Even his very first crop had smashing horses, though he was only bred to middling to fair mares. So, it's not surprising that he was the leading sire in 1902 and 1908. He produced major babies, from middling mares to great mares. He was all about baby-making!! Though, yes, he sometimes did pass on his crankiness that he earned from his mama. You can read more about him at the following links:

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Hastings.html

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Hastings.html

Hailee and Violet's Luke McLuke!!!

Hailee and Violet are related to Luke McLuke who won the 1914 Belmont Stakes by 8 lengths. He is the grandsire of Three Bars on his dam side, having produced Myrtle Dee. Hailee is related to him through her Miss Night Bar line and through her other several Three Bars lines. Violet is related to him through her Mark-Ye-Well line through Luke McLuke's daughter, Nellie Morse who was crossed with a Man 'o War son. He's a big handsome boy! He is very influential as a foundation stallion across several important breeds! He is registered as a Thoroughbred, but also cross-registered with the AQHA and APHA!!

My Beautiful Spring Pony!!!

This week, Barbie sent me photos of my beautiful Hailee enjoying a pleasant spring weekend day in her Paris home. Look how leisurely and joyful she seems. I just have to post these photos, so you can appreciate my beautiful muscular Easy Jet girl. I am certain that my Miss Hailee is a double copy mare. She has one very big heart!!! In the second photo, you see her all blissful with her old dear friend, Ed. Look how glossy and healthy she is. It's only April and she's already been receiving Betadine baths to clean up her winter scurf. Thanks for sending the photos!!

New York City's Finest!

I travelled to New York City and stayed at the Algonquin Hotel on 44th street between 5th and 6th Avenue for this year's Population Association of America Annual Meetings. This beautiful spring morning, I was walking on my way to Central Park when I saw this police officer and his police horse outside of Tiffany's (in the background). Horses are so important and work so hard for us!

Violet and Colin!!

Violet is related to Colin, born in 1905 and with a perfect race record at 15: 15-0-0. His lifetime earnings were $178,110 and he earned the 1908 3-year-old Champion of the Year Award, as well as the 1907 and 1908 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year. He was inducted into the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in 1956, and was voted #15 by Blood Horse magazine for Top 100 race horses of the 20th century. He won many stakes races, including the Belmont!! His perfect record stood unchallenged for 80 years before repeated by Personal Ensign. He is related to Violet through her Classic Music line. He helped produce the famous Stymie in that line. His grandsire is Domino who produced Commando who produced Colin out of an English stakeswinner filly named Pastorella. He was trained by James G. Rowe, Sr., the Hall of Fame trainer who has trained the most horses who were inducted into the Hall of Fame. He trained Sysonby, Hindoo, the first Kentucky Derby winning filly, Regret. He trained the following horses who were also inducted: Miss Woodford, Luke Blackburn, Whisk Broom, Commando, and Peter Pan. He gave his horses profound personal care, and in the case of Colin this included traveling with him, so that he could care for a swollen, mis-shapen hock. During his day, Rowe was considered America's greatest trainer. But all he wanted put on his tombstone were the words: He trained Colin! You can read more about Violet's Colin and about Colin's trainer, Mr. Rowe at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_(horse)

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Champs/AmChamp3yoMale.html

or

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=49

or

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/trainer.asp?ID=285

or

http://www.thoroughbredchampions.com/biographies/colin.htm

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Colin.html

or

http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/colin.html

Hailee's Ultrasound

My girl, Hailee, had her ultrasound, after her first insemination by Hootie. She's not pregnant this time! Hopefully, she'll get in foal, during her next spring heat. Here's a picture of me and my girl last October. I want to go visit her soon.

The Lovely Carriage Horses of New York!

Here are some of the lovely carriage horses of New York, out and about near Trump Plaza and in Central Park. They are working hard to bring us romance and magic in the Big Apple! I visited them in March 2007!

Sir Dixon and My Girls!

Both my girls are related to Sir Dixon (1885), the leading sire of 1901 and Champion of his crop in his 2nd and 3rd year. He won the Withers Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, Carlton Stakes, and Lorillard Stakes. One of the ways he is related to Violet is through her Count Fleet line on his mama Quickly's side. And one of his connections to Hailee is through her Moon Deck side through Man O' War's daughter Frilette. They both share Sir Dixon through his grandson Whisk Broom. Can you believe that Whisk Broom has one grandpa (Ben Brush) who won the Kentucky Derby and another (Sir Dixon) who won the Belmont Stakes. This explains why my girls are able to burst with speed and kick lickety split around their pastures!!! You can read more about Sir Dixon and the rich genealogies he shares at the following link:

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Billet.html#SirDixon

Happy Earth Day!

I celebrated Earth Day today with my brother-in-law and sister and my two nieces, Emma and Clara. We started our day at church where Elena was leading the Bell Choir in an 8-page song called Exultant Praise! It was awesome. Then Elena and I took the girls to Kensington Gardens to the Barn Farm to see the horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, ducks, chickens, etc. Emma, of course, loved the horses and she petted a goat!! It was a gorgeaus Earth Day to be with my favorite girls of all -- Elena, Emma and Clara!!! Steve made us a great dinner of brats! My first brats of the year! Happy Earth Day to you all!!

Serena's Song and My Girls!

My girls are related to Serena's Song, the 1995 Eclipse Award winner for Champion 3-year-old filly of the Year! Her track record was 38: 18-11-3 and she earned $3,283,388 on the track. Among her wins, she took the Mother Goose, Haskell Invitational Handicap, Beldame Stakes, Hollywood Starlet Stakes, Santa Anita Oaks, Gazelle Handicap, Oak Leaf Stakes, Las Virgenes Stakes, Santa Monica Handicap, Santa Maria Handicap, Jim Beam Stakes, Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and Landaluce Stakes. Her owners were Robert and Beverly Lewis, trainer Wayne Lukas, and jockey Gary Stevens. She was inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in 2002. She retired from the track to a life as a broodmare at Denali Stud near Paris, Kentucky. So far, she is the dam of 7 foals, 6 to race. She has had 5 winners so far. Her winning children include Grand Reward and Sophisticat sired by Storm Cat, Serena's Tune (a winning filly!) sired by Mr. Prospector, and Harlington sired by Unbridled. She is related to my girls in multiple ways, including Blushing Groom who is the sire's sire of Serena's Song. They also share (among others) Blue Larkspur, Sir Gallahad, Gainsborough, Teddy, Plucky Liege, Mahmoud, Hyperion, Man 'O War, Frillery, Broomstick, Nearco, Bulldog, Discovery, Whisk Broom, Sweep, and John P. Grier. Here's a photo of Serena's Song and one of her babies. You can read more about her and see more photos of her very beautiful children at the following links:

http://horseracing.about.com/library/weekly/aa022600a.htm

or

http://horseracing.about.com/library/pics/blserena1.htm

or

http://www.finalturngallery.com/Storm-Tides-album?page=1

or

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/stallion-directory/stallion.aspx?stallion_no=6091773

or

http://www.hillndalefarms.com/stallions/grand-reward.shtml

or

http://horseracing.about.com/library/weekly/aa090800a.htm

or

http://www.denalistud.com/photoalbum.shtml

or

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=377

The Cloud Foundation

I encourage you to read information about The Cloud Foundation and the International Fund for Horses. In the 19th century, it was estimated that there were over 2 million horses roaming wild in the United States, direct descendants of the Spanish mustangs brought over from the conquistadors. Now there are only a few hundred left who are being over-grazed, over-drugged, and are so few in number that their genetic diversity and fitness is in peril. Ginger Kathrens, a Bowling Green native and Emmy award-winning documentarian has explored the life of Cloud, a wild horse from Montana. I was lucky enough to meet her and have lunch with her, along with my colleague and buddy, Joe Jacoby, on a day BGSU celebrated her accomplishments. Anyway, please learn more about this great woman artist and scientist, and about our imperiled fragile mustang horses at the following lnks:

http://www.thecloudfoundation.org/

or

http://www.fund4horses.org/info.php?id=827

My Girls and Fair Play!

My girls are related to the very famous Fair Play born in 1905. His race racord was 32: 10-11-3. He led the American sire list in 1920, 1924, and 1927 and was inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in 1956. Some of his famous children were Man 'O War, Chance Play (the 1927 Hourse of the Year), Mad Play (1924 Belmont Stakes winner), Chance Shot (1927 Belmont Stakes winner), Mad Hatter (1924 Champion Handicap Horse) and Display (1926 Preakness Stakes winner). His impact on the hertiage of throughbreds is inestimable. In fact, 11 members of the Hall of Fame trace to him through their tale male line. He was bred and owned by August Belmont, and when Mr. Belmont passed, his horses were scattered in a dispersal sale. On that day, Mr. and Mrs. Peter A.B. Widener II arrived at the sale, where they bought him. Of this day, Mr. Widener said, "The course of our lives had been changed by a golden horse. The horse was the grand old man of the American turf, Fair Play, sire of Man 'O War. I'll never forget him as he stood in the sale ring. The bright Kentucky sun streamed down upon him, burnishing his chestnut sides, as if with gilt. He looked a king. The energy of the 20-year-old horse, his royal impatience, got me." You can read more about this influential stallion and see pictures of him, his cemetary, and his kids at the following links:
http://pets.webshots.com/album/90145804tFqKFr?start=0
or
http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/fairplay.html
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Play_(horse)
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_E._Widener
or
http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/FairPlay.html
or
http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Bios2/Bios-EF/FairPlay.htm
or
http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=69

Counting equine blessings, Snowflake, Hailee, and Violet!

Last night, I went to Breezy Acres to visit Violet, and she was lovely, sweet, kind, intelligent, and friendly, as usual. I lunged her, chatted with her, and rode her. The wind was whipping and the ring walls and ceiling were creaking, but my big beautiful red thoroughbred girl just stepped out, floated, and gave her best to the task. I was happy with our quiet ride together. I am sharing in history -- I am so fortunate! I ride the descendant of Man 'O War, Count Fleet, War Admiral, and other fleet-footed noble big-hearted creatures.

And here's a picture of my first pony, Snowflakes Princess, who is a POA. My parents purchased her in 1979 when I was 15. I will never forget the day I went to the stable to meet her for the first time. Her sweet little grey nose, intelligent inquisitive face, peeking out at me from her stall. I knew immediately, right then that she was my girl. I was blessed that my parents brought that pony into my life -- she was the sweetest, kindest, most gentle and bright little pony. She just radiated good will and sweetness. And gorgeaus? Let me tell you! That Arab little face, grey dappled body, and white blanket with big black spots. Ouch. She was lovely. She gave me lots and lots of confidence and joy. I'll be writing about her more over the next few weeks, but for now, this morning, I just wanted to say that I've been one lucky person -- Snowflake, Hailee, and Violet. Three lovely ladies.

Clara's Birthday!

My baby niece, Clara Jane, celebrated her first birthday with an Old McDonald party theme. Her big sister, Emma Elizabeth, was there to help celebrate. They had horse and cow cakes and a little herd of pig cupcakes. Little Clara was born the day after Violet on March 9th. So, March is filled with sweetie pies!!!

Violet's Gay Crusader!

Violet is related to the 1917 English Triple Crown winner, Gay Crusader. Gay Crusader's track record was 10: 8-1-0, and he retired relatively early at age 4 due to a training injury. He earned $69,480. He almost didn't have a chance to win the English Triple Crown because the British government considered banning racing due to the war. But the British public and racing industry wanted racing to continue for morale and to keep up with the history of knowing who are the most fierce competitors among thoroughbreds. Gay Crusader was a bad-tempered boy, out of Bayardo and Gay Laura. He is the damsire of Prince Rose the sire of Princequillo. So, Gay Crusader is part of Violet's big heart lines through her Classicist family. You can read more about this Triple Crown winner at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_Crusader

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Bayardo.html

George Stubbs at the Frick Mansion!

On Thursday, March 29th, 2007, I went on a lovely spring sunshiney day walk through Midtown Manhattan. I walked to the Public Library, Grand Central Station, the U.N., Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and down 5th Avenue along Central Park to the Frick Mansion on 72nd Street. The Frick Mansion had pulled together an exhibit on George Stubbs, so I was able to see his paintings of horses, dogs, lions, monkeys, cows, the reapers and haymakers. I also saw his "Mares and Foals," "Otho," "Grey Hunter," "Horse Afraid of Lion," and "Horse Devoured by Lion." I saw this famous 1762 painting, Molly Longlegs. It was gorgeaus. Molly Longlegs twice won 200 guinea prizes at the Newmarket Races and she was owned by Lord Bolingbroke. This painting was on loan from the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. I was very excited because not only were his paintings beautiful, but I had already seen the horses afraid and devoured by a lion and the very famous "Mares and Foals" at the Tate when I visited London. So, it was nice to see these gorgeaus paintings constructed right when the modern thoroughbred was being created in two important cities -- London and New York! Now, here's the important part -- Hailee and Violet are related to Molly Longlegs through the Godolphin Arabian and the Byerley Turk!!

http://www.frick.org/

or

http://www.frick.org/exhibitions/stubbs/index.htm

Whisk Broom and my Girls!

My girls are related to the famous Whisk Broom II, born in 1907 to Broomstick and Audience. Audience was sired by the 1888 Belmont Stakes winner, Sir Dixon, and her dam was sired by Hindoo, a major stakes winner and Kentucky Derby winner. Whisk Broom was born at the Kentucky Horse Park, then called Senorita Farms, and was sent to England to race. In Great Britain, he won the Prince of Wales Plate, the Trial Stakes, Select Stakes, Peril of the Peak, Victoria Cup, and came third in the 2,000 Guineas. When he came to the United States, he raced only three times, but won the most difficult Triple Crown of Racing, the New York Handicap Triple Crown -- the Metropolitan, Suburban Handicap and Brooklyn Handicap. Only Tom Fool and Fit to Fight ever duplicated this amazing feat of winning the Handicap Triple Crown! In his last race ever, he carried a staggering 139 lbs to the second place horse's 112 lbs and still set a scorching track record!!! His final race record was 26: 10-7-1 for total earnings of $47.931. He won the 1913 U.S. Horse of the Year Award and U.S. Champion Handicap Horse of the Year, and the U.S. Handicap Triple Crown. In retirement, he sired 163 foals with 23 stakes winners for a stakes percentage of 16%. He was inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in 1979. Among his children, he sired Upset, the only horse to deliver Man 'O War a defeat. He also foaled the Kentucky Derby winner, Whiskery, and Whiskaway, as well as the Preakness winner, Victorian, who was the damsire of Seabiscuit. You can visit him in his family cemetary at C.V. Whitney Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. He is related to both Hailee and Violet. An obvious connection for Hailee is in her Bim-a-Nick line, where Whisk Broom produced the sire John P. Grier. This is a pretty interesting line -- Whisk Broom and Fair Play were the sires of horses crossed to produce Algeria who was bred to Bubbling Over to produce Airegla to be bred to Bimelech to produce Sir Bim. For Violet, you can see Whisk Broom in her Boodle line where his son John P. Grier is crossed with the famous mare Elf to produce Boojum. You can read more about the fabulous, tough, world-travelling, Triple Crown winning sweetheart at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisk_Broom_II

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Broomstick.html

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Graves/cem/GraveMattersWhitney.html

or

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=160

or

http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/whisk.html

The Vengeful Busher and my girls!!!

Okay, so even this story seems just too over the top for me. My girls are heavily, heavily related to Busher, the #40 Top Race Horse of the 20th Century and 1945 Eclipse winner for U.S. Horse of the Year Award!!! Busher was born in 1942 to War Admiral and Baby League. So, she is heavily related to both my girls on both her sire and dam side, along all family chains. Remember that War Admiral is a Triple Crown winner, and Baby League is out of Bubbling Over, a Kentucky Derby winner, and La Troienne, one of the most influential broodmares in history! Thus, Hailee and Violet are so heavily related right away that there's really not much more to say! Anyway, Busher's race record was 21-15-3-1 for total earnings of $334,035. She was the 1944 Champion 2-year-old filly, and 1945 Horse of the Year and Champion 3-year-old filly. She is full sister to Striking, half-sister to Bimelech, and dam of Jet Action (her only foal of 5 who raced). Her mom, Baby League was the third foal of the most influential foundation mare of the 20th century, La Troienne. Busher was bred and born on Idle Hour Stock Farm where all the foals' names began with a "B." What's funny is that Colonel Edward R. Bradley (her owner) didn't want to breed Baby League to War Admiral because he considered the Triple Crown winner to hot-blooded. But someone reminded him that War Admiral looked lots like the great horse Sweep, so he relented. Many of Hailee and Violet's relatives were born and raised at Idle Hour Farm, including Black Toney, Blue Larkspur, and Burgoo King. Colonel Bradley sold Busher to Louis B. Mayer, the movie mogul, and she quickly made him richer under Hall of Fame Jockey, Johnny Longdon. Her racing colors were French Blue and Pink. What else that's cool? She regularly beat the boys. And, get this, on the odd occasion that she was beat, she always beat her competitor in another race. In fact, William H.P. Robertson, turf authority and historian wrote in his History of Thoroughbred Racing in America that "the salient attribute of War Admiral's little daughter was she always took revenge." Because of this macho cool hip suaveness, she was voted #40 of the Top 100 race horses of the 20th century, and was inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in 1964. She is among only a handful of fillies which earned the Eclipse Award. You go, girl! And you go, my sweet Hailee and Violet!!!! Busher died during foal birth in 1955. She bore 5 foals, Bush Pilot, Golden Heart, Jet Action, Miss Busher, and Popularity. Jet Action was her only baby boy! You can read more about this lovely lady at the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busher_(horse)
or
http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=39

Jackass, Arcangelo, and Moibeal

Hailee and Violet also have three cat siblings in Jacques Mamou Lagniappe (Jackie or Jackass), Moibeal Edana Seiseagh, and Arcangelo Sanyama Lilidh. Jackie, Arcy, and Moibeal are all dear to me. Jackie is also a New Orleans street cat adopted as a kitten from the Japonica Street animal shelter. He pulled a bait and switch. He acted all sweet, scared, and demure and then before I even got him home, he started bossing me around in the car. Nothing has changed! He rules our home. Arcangelo is a siamese adopted from San Diego, California, invited to join our home after Teacake Whim Fuselage passed away a few years ago. He is Jackie's boyfriend. And little Moibeal is from the Wood County Humane Society. She is a lovely little grey tabby girl who tolerates her brothers' bossiness.

My Beautiful Zelia

Hailee and Violet have a sister named Zelia Orleana Cypress. Zelia is a New Orleans street trash dog with chow and lab in her pedigree. Joel Devine found her and brought her into my life and in the first few months that I had her, she bore a litter of 9 puppies of which 8 survived by a neighborhood dog named Teddy. Teddy was well-named. He was a gorgeaus, fluffy teddy bear and a perfectly lovely agreeable Chow. The morning after the first day I adopted Zelia, she and I took a walk in the cemetary by Commander's Palace because I wanted inspiration in naming her. Zelia chose her own name. She walked everywhere and then sat on the grave of a woman named Zelia. It's been a perfect name for her. And she is without doubt, the perfect dog. She is so smart and kind and loving. She knows how to gladpaw the harassed crowds!

Nobiz like Shobiz wins the Wood Memorial!

The Derby contenders are starting to sort themselves out. This past Saturday, Nobiz like Shobiz won the $750,000 Wood Memorial by half a length and became the odds-on-favorite. Street Sense is currently the number 2 favorite. Cornelio Valasquez is his jockey and Barclay Tagg is his trainer. Tagg says that he's a great horse, but that sometimes he can be dumb and goofy. He has won 4 out of his 6 starts, and for the Wood Memorial wore blinkers for the first time and had his ears stuffed with cotton. Of this win, Tagg said that his main job is to keep Nobiz healthy for Derby day and that "These horses have to win these races themselves. I never get overly confident about anything. So many things can happen in a race." Now, here's the cool thing -- he is highly, closely related to my sweet Violet and Hailee. Of the many relatives they share, they include the following: Princequillo, Count Fleet, Blue Larkspur, Gay Crusader, Discovery, Teddy, Nasrullah, Hail to Reason, Sir Gallahad, Man 'o War, Hyperion, Tuder Minstrel, Sweep, Bull Dog, Bimelech, Black Helen, Case Ace, Better Self, Bull Lea, Eight Thirty, Broomstick, War Admiral, and Bubbling Over. You can read more about Nobiz at the following links (and also at the Kentucky Derby link!):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_Memorial_Stakes

or

http://www.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=20881

or

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0728237120070407?feedType=RSS

Cobalt Blue and the 2007 Run for the Roses!

This year marks the first Kentucky Derby in which I owned a thoroughbred! I remember watching the 1973 Derby when beautiful, sweet Secretariat was getting ready to race into history. Little did I know that one day, I would join his family through Hailee and Violet. Anyway, here's a photo of Cobalt Blue, one of the colts among 20 who is a contender for the roses! He was bought by Merv Griffin for $325,000. His trainer said, "He's a gorgeaus colt. That's the most Merv Griffin ever paid for a horse. He's probably the most beautiful colt I ever bought, and we got him on the only bid we made. He's perfectly put together and very correct. He would have gone for a lot more, but he's by Golden Missile, who's not in vogue." When he was 2, he raced twice and won once, and now that he's three he's raced twice and won both times. He has earned $207,000 so far. What's amazing to me is that he has an even lower DI than Violet which means that Violet should be faster than him over shorter distances -- she could beat him in the Derby!!! After he won the San Felipe, his trainer said, "He looks great and ate up like a tiger. He's so big and strong, he was just dragging the hot walker back to the test barn." Cobalt Blue is heavily related to Hailee and Violet. He shares many lines, including the following: La Troienne, Baby League, Bimelech, Nearco, Princequillo, Discovery, Nasrullah, Eight Thirty, Friar Rock, Man 'O War, Ultimus, Commando, Rock Sand, Black Toney, Hyperion, Gainborough, Bull Dog, Bull Lea, Better Self, Whisk Broom, Count Fleet, Gay Crusader, Gay Laura, Domino, Busher, War Admiral, Bubbling Over, Equipoise, and Blue Larkspur. I think that Cobalt Blue has a really interesting, diverse pedigree, and he is even directly related to Secretariat, but I'm not sure he's my favored pick to win the Derby yet. I am just talking about him to mention that this year, you can be sure I'll watch the Derby to see my girls' relatives compete! And it will be very exciting and gratifying to trace how my girls are related to these great, noble, obedient, but spirited champion athletes! You can read more about this year's contenders for the roses at the following link:
http://www.horse-races.net/library/links-derby.htm

Breaking News! Violet has a touch of Scratches!

Violet's veterinarian visited for a spring checkup and her vaccinations, as well as to review her condition. She has a tiny bit of scratches or a skin condition on the white of her hindlegs, and she probably could use a touch of fat in her diet to help shine her coat and strengthen her tail! I am going to treat her scratches with Malaseb Concentrate for the next two weeks and explore what Smartpak might do to supplement her diet with a good omega-like fat! I will report in a few weeks how her cosmetic and health improvements go! Her doctor says that her teeth look great! Which I am glad about because she's taken up bored grinding (just to annoy me when I'm grooming her!).

Violet's Rugged Well-Used Stymie!

I am very proud to say that Violet is related to Stymie through her Classicist line. Stymie was born in 1941 and had a final track record of 131-35-33-28. Can you believe that he raced 131 times in his career? He began as a claiming race runner and was doing poorly, until a trainer saw his potential and saw that he was frightened of people and needed consistent handling. In two years, he had been to the post 57 times! Once they sorted out his troubles and found his distance, he just burned up the tracks. He was Champion Handicap Horse of 1945 and was voted the #41 Top Race Horse of the 20th Century by Blood Horse magazine. He was inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in 1975, and was so famous, some say as famous with average Americans as Seabiscuit, that he had the Stymie Handicap named after him. He was beloved for his very exciting style of racing. He was a hero to racing fans because of his heart-stopping come-from-behind finishes, sometimes by as many as 20 lengths. In his career, he beat Gallorette and Assault at The Metropolitan Handicap (a race he won twice). And he beat Assault, Natchez, and Phalanx in the International Gold Cup. Remember that Assault was a Triple Crown Winner and Gallorette the highest money-earning filly of her time. So, by the time his long, long, long career was over, Stymie had gone from losing claiming races to a leading money winner in the world. He won 25 stakes races while competing against some of the best horses of all time!! His career was ended by a sesamoid bone fracture. His owner took the winnings he earned from Stymie and built Stymie Manor in Maryland. And when Stymie passed, he was buried at Hagyard Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Charles Hagyard of the world famous Hagyard-Davidson-McGee Veterinary owns this place. Stymie has an amazing pedigree all to himself. His dad and mom are Equestrian and Stopwatch. He has Man 'O War on the dam side of both his dam and sire. He also has Commando's kids, Peter Pan and Colin (#15 of Top 100 race horses 20th century) in his recent family tree, and lots and lots of Broomstick, Ben Brush, and Hindoo. Remember that Commando won the Belmont Stakes in 1901 and then his two boys won in 1907 and 1908. And Ben Brush and Hindoo are Kentucky Derby winners, and Man 'O War himself won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes and probably would have won the Derby, if his owner, Samuel Riddle had entered him! Anyway, Stymie has Colin twice on both sides of the dam and sire of his mom. Colin is the sire of the sire of his mom. And his daughter is bred to Man 'O War to produce the dam of his mom. What I think is really lovely is that Stymie's daughter, Classic Music, was bred to Princequillo to produce Classicist. That's lovely because that means that two big-hearted lines were crossed to produce a filly. What's more, Classicist was bred to Jaipur, and so you have three big-heart lines meeting -- Nasrullah, Princequillo, and Classic Music!! You can read more about this tough, hard-running guy at the following cites:

http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/stymie.html

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stymie_(horse)

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stymie

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Graves/cem/GraveMattersHagyard.html

Counting my blessings

In your life, you gather your own unique blessings, your private joys. I've had some very special ones in my life. I have my family, my unusual and loving family. I have my sister and my beautiful nieces. I had Tigi and Teacake, the most wonderful cats. I have Jackass, Zelia and the other critters. I have lovely Hailee and Violet. I've been blessed with a job that I enjoy. And I've been blessed to live in a 165 year-old home in New Orleans. My home is beautiful with three fireplaces and these old lovely hand-crafted appointments, tall ceilings, pocket doors, cypress floors, ancient rose bush and Sweet Olive tree. I was never afraid in my lovely home. It never creaked and never made noise, even in the biggest of storms. And it always radiated care. And it survived hurricanes for over a century, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. My friend, Mark of New Orleans, stopped by my old street the other day and took a picture for me. The house next door is the worse for wear, but my home is solid as usual, lovely and solid. Over the years, my neighbors in that hurting home included Mike, a single guy who left for California, and the Hollidays, a family with the most sweet daughters, including Shamika -- the dancing warrioress for Jesus and Love. Thank you, Mark, for sending this photo of my sweet place. I sat on those steps so many times, smoking cigarettes (on the rare occasion) or drinking coffee, and watching the street life of NOLA. I am grateful for my blessings.

Breaking News! Blue Who has High Motility!

Barbie delivered the Hootie's sperm report to me as part of Hailee's illustrious family records. Turns out that Blue Who has a recorded count of 1 billion sperm per dose!!! The lab work suggests that he had 990 million motile sperm available for my girl. I am hoping that means he really is super duper prepotent. And I am hoping that Hailee has a big fat giant sticky slow-moving grabby aching-for-a-date egg available. You just never know! Also, yesterday, I received my first vet bill from Lexington, Kentucky. Very exciting to be wrapped up in the history of horses in Kentucky. Namaste, more news later on the baby-making front!

Jackson Square, New Orleans

Jackson Square in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana is rich in history and has an equestrian statue of our 7th President, General Andrew Jackson. Jackson Square originally overlooked the Mississippi River, but later large levees were built obstructing the view. The city is largely turned over to the shipping industry, but Mayor Moon Landrieu built a beautiful walkway along the Mississippi River by Jackson Square which was named The Moonwalk, in his honor. In Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral dominates, with the Cabildo (the old city hall) on one side where the Louisiana Purchase was finalized and the Presbytere on the other, which originally housed administrators, priests, etc. from the Catholic Church, later became a courthouse, and now is a museum. The Pontalba buildings, built in the 1840s flank each side of Jackson Square and host, among other things, the oldest continuously rented apartments in the United States. At the corner is Cafe du Monde, a continuously running, open air cafe where you can get cafe au lait with chicory and fabulous, flaky, sweet beignets. Anyway, General Andrew Jackson's nickname was "Old Hickory" and he was commander of the Armed Forces in the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, among other important accomplishments. He is credited with being the founder of the modern Democratic Party. Get out! You got to go to New Orleans, if you want to see the Mardi Gras! I want to see that Zulu Queen!

Hailee's A.D. Reed

In Hailee's Camelot's Honesty line, she is related to A.D. Reed, the offspring of Peter McCue and a 100% Foundation Horse. A.D. Reed was born in Oklahoma and passed in New Mexico (1916-1935). He had a big impact on the AQHA through his daughters!

May Good Things be with you

My girls are related to Mahubah, Man O' War's mom. She started 5 times with a 1-0-1 record. She was considered Fair Play's wife because she was only bred to him and foaled 5 times between 1916 and 1920. She was out of the British Triple Crown winner Rock Sand. Her children were Mazda, Man O' War, Play Fellow, My Play, and Mirabell. She was bred to Fair Play because she was so gentle and sweet and they were hoping that she would even out Fair Play's hot temper! She is buried with Fair Play at the foot of his statue at Normandy Farm in Lexington, Kentucky! Mahubah's name means "may good things be with you." You can read more about this amazing family at:

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/ManOWar.html

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Graves/cem/GraveMattersNormandy.html

My Sweet Violet's sweet eyes!

Here is my grubby Violet on the first day of spring. She's taking a peek outside from the indoor riding ring at Breezy Acres. She looked so muddy that day! But even today, 3/22/07, she's looking more lovely and red and soft and glossy. I spent a lovely afternoon trimming her bridal path, mane, and fetlocks, and just curry brushing her loose hairs and mud. I can't wait until she's summer glossy! I gave her a hug tonight while she was having her dinner. She gave me a happy look with that ever-sweet eye! What a honey! So, here's something cool that I've found exploring her pedigree. On her Runaway Bride/Wild Risk side, she has relatives named Wild Violet and Wood Violet. And on her Classic Music/Jacola side, she has relatives named Violet Melrose and Violet!! I didn't know this when she and I chose her family pet name. She must have sent me mental images of her four Violet's!!

Breaking News! Hailee is inseminated for first time!

Yesterday, on Good Friday, Hailee was inseminated for the first time with a donation from Blue Who. On Thursday, Blue Who's owner worked to prepare the donation to be special fed-exed to Kentucky from Florida and it arrived Friday morning. Hailee was inseminated and released from her holding area back into her larger herd. I bet she was thrilled. Now, we'll hope for the best and wait two weeks before giving her an ultrasound. I hope she becomes pregnant. We'll see. In other news, Violet seems to be going bald and losing hair in her tail! I'm told that this is pretty normal for a thoroughbred after winter, but it's upsetting to me to see her tail lose it's burgunday hairs and for her legs to be losing hair. I have an appointment with her vet for this Wednesday and Barbie is bringing some special skin medication up from Kentucky.

Sweep and My Girls!

Both my girls are related to Sweep, son of Ben Brush and Pink Domino. He was born in 1907 and won the 1910 Belmont Stakes. He is cross-listed with the AQHA. His final record was 13-9-2-2, and in 1909 he was Champion 2-year-old and 1910 Champion 3-year-old. He is noted as being a great broodmare sire. He had 3 daughters who produced Kentucky Derby winners. Beaming Beauty produced Hailee's Bubbling Over, Brushup produced Violet's War Admiral, and Dustwhirl produced Whirlaway. Sweep is recognized for passing the big heart gene to his daughters. His grandson, War Admiral, is one of the four largest heart lines in today's pedigrees, along with Princequillo, Blue Larkspur, and Mahmoud. Notice that Violet is related to all four of those big-heart lines! In the photos, you see Sweep and his son War Admiral winning the Preakness Stakes! Hailee also has Sweep through his son Eternal.

Hailee's Lena's Bar!

Lena's Bar is Hailee's great-great-grandma on her daddy's side. She was bred to Jet Deck to produce Easy Jet. She was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2003, and her Quarter Horse race track record was 76-24-18-10. Her sire was Three Bars and dam was Lena Valenti. She had six children, 4 boys, 2 girls. Easy Jet had a full brother named Jet Smooth whose children won $2,546,842 on the track. Lena's Bar has a royal pedigree herself, including Commando, Sweep, Eclipse, Pocahontas and Derby winner Ben Brush. Through Lena's Bar, Hailee is related to two English Triple Crown winners, Diamond Jubilee and West Australian. Look at the photo -- she looks just like my sweet, independent, fierce little mare! You can read more about Lena's Bar at the following link:

http://www.qhd.com/horse/stallion.asp?id=23302&sex=mare

Rock Sand and my girls

My girls are related to Rock Sand, the 1903 English Triple Crown winner and damsire of Man 'O War through his daughter Mahubah. His record was 20-16-1-3. Look at how beautiful he is, you can really see that War Admiral takes after him! You can read more about their English Triple Crown winner at the following links:

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/RockSand.html

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Sand

The Fountain of Neptune in Florence, Italy!

In 2002, I stayed at a villa outside of Florence, Italy. We travelled to Firenza a few times and I so enjoyed la Piazza della Signoria, the L-Shaped square in front of Palazza Vecchio. This internationally known square was the political hub of the city in the 14th century. One of my favorite parts of this beautiful space was the fountain statue of Neptune in a shell-shaped chariot being pulled out of the water by 4 horses!

Commando and my girls!

Commando was the 1900 Champion 2-year-old colt and Horse of the Year and 1901 Champion 3-year-old colt and Horse of the Year. He earned Horse of the Year twice before retiring with a 9:7-2 record. He won the Belmont Stakes, and Carlton, Montauk, Zephyr, and Junior Champion Stakes. He died very young of tetanus, but not before siring 10 stakes winners from 27 foals. He sired Colin, Celt, and Peter Pan. Just think, he won the Belmont in 1901, and then his kids Peter Pan and Colin won in 1907 and 1908. He was inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in 1956. Hailee is related to him through her Jet Deck, Three Bars, Custus Rastus, Flying Bob, Miss Chicaro, Lady Heart, Sir Bim, Lightning Bar and Black Beggar lines. She has multiple occurrences of Peter Pan (10) and Ultimus (3), Commando's kids. In fact, Ultimus has a double Domino cross on both his sire and dam's side. Violet is also related to Peter Pan, Colin and Ultimus, but I did not explore the number of instances. However, she has Colin through her Stymie line which means that she has nice heavy doses of him with criss-crosses through Man o' War. You can read more about Commando at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commando_(horse)

or

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=50

or

http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/commando.html

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Domino.html

Invasor and the 2007 Dubai World Cup!

On Saturday, March 31st, 2007, Invasor won the $6 million Dubai World Cup -- the duel in the desert!! He earned $3.6 million for his first place effort for the Sheik Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum who had purchased him for his Shadwell Stable for the sum of $1.4 million. Invasor was born in 2002 in Argentina and was the winner of the 2005 Triple Crown in Uruguay. He won the 2006 $5 million Breeder's Cup, as well as the Pimlico, Suburban Handicap, and Whitney Stakes. Out of 12 starts, he has won 11. His only loss occurred in the UAE when he came in 4th. He has earned the U.S. Horse of the Year, and the Eclipse Award for Champion Older Horse. His jockey is 18-year-old Fernando Jara, and his trainer is the New York-based Kiaran McLaughlin. Of his latest win in Dubai, his owner said, "I am over the moon. I've had a lot of good horses, but Invasor's one of the top horses that I've owned ever. It was great how he won in America. It's best when he wins here." So, of course, Violet and Hailee are related to this champion runner. His grandsire on his sire's side is Blushing Groom, which is the great-grandsire on Voilet's sire side. They also share War Admiral and Man o' War among many other connections! You can read more about this champion at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasor_(horse)

or

http://www.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=17932

or

http://www.shadwellfarm.com/news/

My Girls are Ruthless!!!

Ruthless was a filly out of Eclipse and Barbarity. She was the first of 5 fillies from that combination. Her sisters included Relentless, Remorseless, Regardless, and Merciless. They were collectively called The Barbarous Battalion!. Ruthless was the first horse to win the Belmont Stakes in 1867, and one of only 2 fillies who have ever won the Belmont in over 100 years of the race's history. She was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1975, and has a race named after her at Aqueduct called "The Ruthless." Hailee and Violet are related to this macho girl through the following horses (and others): Orlando, Whalebone, Touchstone, Bay Middleton, Selim, Camel, and, of course, Eclipse! You can read more about this Belmont Girl at the following links:

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=129

http://saratogaracing.com/Aqueduct/stakes/Ruthless.html