Horse Sense: Setting Riding Goals!

I am writing this entry on June 3rd, 2007. I purchased Violet last June, so we are coming up on our year anniversary. She was a sweet and quiet filly when I bought her at 3. She's now turned 4 and puts her heart into her work. When I show up, she's kind, focused, and manageable. When I lunge her, she is light on the lunge and floating around. She's smart and watchful. We are working on getting comfortable. I prefer a higher headset than hunters are supposed to carry, so she and I are working on getting a frame and collection and finding a soft spot for her bit. Just lately, I've been able to ride without the jitters and I can feel my shoulders relax and my breathing is easy and my head is up, and I'm starting to hold more firmly with my entire legs rather than gripping with my knees! We are coming along together!! I am glad to have her.

Anyway, here's what I read in this March 2007 Practical Horseman. The magazine article said that you should set riding goals to improve. I'm taking twice-weekly riding lessons and riding 3-4 times a week. The article said that you should be SMART! Set a specific goal that is measurable and achievable. Make sure that goal is realistic and timed! So, I talked with Stephanie, and we are setting a goal of having me canter by August 1st and start over low cross-bars by September 1st. I think this is realistic. My legs are going from "dead" to more active each ride! I am working on having an independent seat and moving her into the bridle rather than snatching at her face when I'm nervous. It helps that I enjoy riding and that Violet is eager to learn how to be an excellent hunter, english pleasure, and lower-level dressage horse. She is ready to please and start her life's work!!

This picture is a painting by Francis Mabel Hollams

Sir Gallahad and my girls!!

My girls are related to the handsome, sweet Sir Gallahad. A.B. Hancock fell in love with him and worked very hard to purchase him. Finally, his English owner stated an astronomical sum, so Hancock got three of his other friends, William Woodward, R.A. Fairbairn, and Marshall Field, to form a syndicate, probably the first stallion syndicate in America! And so the handsome stallion came to live at Claiborne Farm! It was a good idea because as the Blood Horse publication, Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments says of him, he "displayed the breed's most desirable traits: size and scope; a muscular, well-built body; intelligent eyes; a kind expression; and a quiet manner. He liked nothing better than to have his tongue pulled and to receive an affectionate pat." He was so loveable and sweet that Hancock said, "Gallahad has given me more pleasure than any horse I ever was connected with." His dad was Teddyand his mom was Plucky Liege. She was almost kidnapped by the Germans during WWII, but they passed her up because she looked downtrodden and starved...poor thing!! Anyway, in Sir Gallahad's very first foal crop, he produced the Triple Crown winning Gallant Fox. The gentlemen in the syndicate felt so lucky that they ordered another stud from England, Blenheim (also a relation of my girls), and right away in his first foal crop, he had theTriple Crown winning Whirlaway! Can you believe how lucky those guys were!!! Anyway, Sir Gallahad topped the leading sire list 4 times in his life, and was a North American broodmare sire leader 12 times, including 10 times consecutively!! You can read more about Sir Gallahad at the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Gallahad_III

or

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

Jockeys Weigh In!!

Here's a photo of jockeys getting weighed before their races at Keeneland Race Track. This 1948 circa photo was at Barbara Livingston's Gallery in the Thoroughbred Gallery. I really encourage you equine historians to check the thoroughbred gallery. It has so many fabulous photos of famous people, famous horses, candid shots of famous horses in their favorite pastures, etc. You can really get lost in time!

Gainsborough and Violet!

Gainsborough was bred and owned by Lady James Douglas. His track record was 9:5-1-1 and he lived a nice long life of 30 years. He is the sire of Hyperion and Mah Mahal, the dam of Mahmoud. All off these horses are part of Violet's family tree! Gainsborough's dad was Bayardo who was distinguished by being the dad of TWO English Triple Crown winners, Gainsborough and Gay Crusader -- both again, part of Violet's family! When he won the 2000 Guineas (the first jewel in the Triple Crown), it was the first time in history that a woman bred a U.K. classic race winner and the first time in history that a horse wore a woman's colors!! His jockey, Joseph Childs, donated his winnings to his regiment as part of the war effort. He retired to a brilliant stellar stud career! You can read more about this elegant champion and the lady who loved him at the following links:

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

or

http://www.horseracinghistory.co.uk/hrho/action/viewDocument?id=868

Bucephalus!

Here is a statue of Alexander taming the stallion Bucephalus. The statue is outside the City Chambers at Edinburgh, Scotland. Bucephalus was a Thessalonian stallion. A Delphic Oracle said that he who would tame the horse with the Ox Head mark would rule the world. When Alexander was a boy, Bucephalus was unrideable, and Alexander begged his father for a chance to tame him. His father reluctantly agreed. Alexander turned poor Bucephalus' head away from the sun, so that he would not see his shadow and rode him for a long time into the sun. By the time they turned around, B trusted Alexander. His father was so amazed that he said, "O my son, look thee out a kingdom equal to and worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee." His dad was proud of his intelligent equestrian son. Bucephalus lived a very long life, a fierce warrior steed who protected Alexander and helped him win the world. He was killed in battle, during his very late 20s, and Alexander buried him in honor and founded a city as his namesake. Art work about this famed stallion of antiquity can be found all over the world!!! You can read more about him at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucephalus
or
http://faq.macedonia.org/history/buke.html
or
http://www.equinenet.org/heroes/bucephal.html
or
http://www.bucephalus.net/
or
http://www.pothos.org/alexander.asp?paraID=121&keyword_id=6&title=Bucephalus

Lord Lyon and my Girls!!

Both my girls are related to Lord Lyon, the third British Triple Crown winner in history, in 1866. He started 21 times and won 18 of them. He was a good stallion, and his influence is felt through his kid Minting. He also was the leading earner among the famous Stockwell's progeny. My girls are related to him through his dad, Stockwell, and through Touchstone. In the racing painting, Harry Hall is the artist depicting Lord Lyon's win in the St. Leger! Actually, it represents Sir Sutton's Lord Lyon winning against Lord Ailesbury's Savernake! Here are two cool things about his name. There is a pub named after him in the heart of racing country in England!! And the Lord Lyon Court is the Scottish administrative unit that controls all badges and heraldry!! You can read more about him and his bar and his royal badges at the following links:

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

or

http://www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk/lyoncourt.html

or

http://www.lordlyon.com/

or

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

Plucky Liege and My Girls!

My girls are related to Plucky Liege, one of the most important broodmares of the 20th century and a true Blue Hen!! She is the mother of Bull Dog and Sir Gallahad, leading sires in the United States, and Bois Roussel and Admiral Drake, sires of classic winners in Ireland, England, and France. She is the daughter of Spearmint who won the Epsom Derby and Grand Prix de Paris. She was named after Liege, France, a city whose townsfolk put up a big defense in World War I. She had 12 foals, 11 were winners, 6 won stakes, and 2 were classics winners. She was the oldest 20th century mare to produce an Epsom Derby winner, a foal she produced in her 23rd year of life! Nearly every major racer in the world has at least one line of her! Both my girls have Sir Gallahad and Violet has Bull Dog and Admiral Drake on top of that!! In this photo, you see her handsome son, Bull Dog!! You can read more about this important mare at the following link:

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

Sometimes true beauty is UGLY!

Here's a photo of Seabiscuit with his rider "Red" or George Woolf in the saddle. I love this photo. You can really see that Seabiscuit is over the knee in front. He's a crooked boy. He had conformation flaws. But still he is a perfect little creation. A small intact miracle. He had his moment in history and gave his heart to his work. And his small imperfections only add to the allure, the mystery of his coolness. Tsin-Tsin to Seabiscuit -- a horse who makes us proud to be American!!

Horse Sense: Violet and I take Lessons!

Today as I write this note it is Wednesday, May 20th. I am writing this blog after a lovely afternoon. Violet and I had a riding lesson with Stephanie, our trainer. It was a nice breezy afternoon, punctuated by a slight rain! I practiced relaxing at the trot, using my legs and seat on serpentines, small circles, figure 8s, and ground poles. I practiced stopping with a deep seat. And Violet practiced being sweet and light and pliable. She loves the ground poles and patterns. And she loves being praised. Her ears prick up and she listens when I call her a good girl! Here we are right before our lesson! What a cute team!! Today is also the day immediately after I got the official word that Hailee is in foal. So, you can see the satisfaction on my face! I've just got done telling Violet that she's going to be an aunt and godmother!

Keeneland Race Track and Sales!!

Last October, 2006, I went to Kentucky to visit Barbie, Tom, the new little KT, and, of course, my beautiful Hailee. The weather was gorgeaus that weekend, so we went to Keeneland Race Track for an afternoon. Keeneland is one of the most lovely places in the United States. The grounds are beautiful. The horses are elegant. You have to love a place whose motto is "We're all about Thoroughbreds!" They had just transitioned to the new poly-track to prevent injuries. It was an afternoon of wonderful racing, a cute little baby, and a dinner afterwards at The Chase Restaurant in Lexington. A really big wonderful day. You can read more about the very important Keeneland at the following links! Notice that it is so important that it's on the National Registry of Historical Landmarks!!!
http://ww2.keeneland.com/default.aspx
or

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

or

http://www.cr.nps.gov/NR/travel/lexington/kee.htm

A Horse Tribute to My Dad -- Joe Sanchez!

My dad was born in Wakefield, Michigan and attended Michigan Tech University and Wayne State University. He cherishes Wakefield and the larger Gogebic County. Gogebic County depended on mining and logging, during "the day", so I wanted to show that horses were important to that life too. I lifted this photo from the Bessemer Historical Society webpage. It shows hard-working logging horses. Horses also worked in mining and for the fire department. There's a story at the Bessemer Historical Society weblink which displays the labor of horses in the Great Ironwood Fire. You can go to the Bessemer Historical Society at the following link:

http://bessemerhistoricalsociety.com/

Jane's Changing of the Guard

My cousin, Jane Marie, travelled throughout Europe this spring. She set aside several days in London! Smart girl! She took a few photos of horses for me and here's a photo of a beautiful white horse who is participating in a Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Horses are important, as you know, and here's one who is participating in the history of the empire on which the sun never sets!!! You'll recall from my earlier blogs that I too have been to Buckingham Palace and viewed lovely horses in Hyde Park and at the Royal Mews!!

Jane's Royal Horses!

My cousin Jane loved going to the Tower of London. She was thrilled to be where Henry VIII kept his prisoners and where Princess Elizabeth was interrogated about her fealty. And she, of course, loved seeing the Royal jewels! But while she was travelling through this little slice of bloody history, she caught a snapshot of statues commemorating the important regal horses of our English kings!! Here they are, beautiful, serene and powerful at the Tower of London!!

Azeri and My Girls!

In 2002, Azeri earned the Eclipse Horse of the Year Award, the first filly since Lady's Secret. She also earned the Champion older female in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Her trainer, Laura de Seroux, was the first woman to train a Horse of the Year winner. The award ceremony that year included Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, and Chris Cooper, as they were promoting Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit. So, describing Azeri's grace on the track, Laura de Seroux accepted the award, saying "This is Azeri's Oscar." She said that her filly had all 3 elements of a champion -- class, brilliance and consistency. Laura de Seroux said, "Horse of the Year should be there all year. You did not elect her by default, but by the purest criteria." She was a heavy winner of the Eclipse of the Year Award, earning 189 of 228 votes, and all 227 votes for those who voted for Older female. That year, she had won 10 out of 11 starts and earned $2,227,740. For her entire racing career, she started 24: 17-4-0 for total earnings of $4,079,820. She's owned by the son of her breeder. Her breeder passed before ever seeing her run, so she is especially beloved by the son now. She retired and is boarded at Hill 'N Dale Farms where she was barren to Storm Cat in 2006, but delivered her first colt foal to A.P. Indy on February 14, 2007 -- Valentine's Day!!!! She's to be bred to Storm Cat again this year! Of course, my proud girls are related to her. They share many relatives including the following: Case Ace, Nasrullah, Teddy, Man o' War, Whisk Broom, Count Fleet, Bull Dog, Blue Larkspur, Bull Lea, War Relic, Hyperion, War Admiral, Traffic Court, and Bubbling Over! You can read more about this important filly at the following links:

http://www.drf.com/eclipse/2002/winners/winners.html

or

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

Hailee's Diamond Jubilee!

Hailee is related to Diamond Jubilee, born in 1897 to his owner/breeder, the future king, Edward VII. He is in Hailee's Lena Valenti line. He won many races, including the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, St. Leger Stakes, Eclipse Stakes, Boscawen Stakes and Newmarket Stakes. So, yes, he is an English Triple Crown winner!! Hailee has Diamond Jubilee and Lord Lyon as her unique English Triple Crown winner to bring her and Violet's ETC relations to 11 out of 15!! He had flawless conformation, but a nasty temper. He once savaged a jockey and he was often rearing. He was not allowed to be beaten because his owner didn't want to ruffle his feathers or break his spirit! In England, he sired the important mare, Taormina who among others foaled Traumer, a stakes winner and stud in the United States. Taormina and Traumer are in Hailee's family tree!! Diamond Jubilee was sent to Argentina where he was a leading sire in 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1921. He passed in 1923. You can read more about Diamond Jubilee at the following links: http://www.horseracinghistory.co.uk/hrho/action/viewDocument?id=1038 or http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/StSimon.html

Stockwell and My Girls!

My girls are related to the 1849 born Stockwell who was considered "the very incarnation of ugliness" and "a bit savage," but also considered to be a very fine racer and the "emperor of stallions." He was 7 times the leading sire in England and the leading sire of the 1860s. His progeny through Phalaris were responsible for 70% of the stakes winners in the 1990s. Violet shares these Phalaris connections through Nasrullah, and Turn-To. Northern Dancer and Raise a Native are also part of this illustrious history, though only indirect relations to my girls. Hailee shares in Stockwell's glory through his English Triple Crown-winning progeny Lord Lyon, as well as his other progeny Man o' War and Doncaster! Stockwell is responsible for carrying the Eclipse line through to the modern day thoroughbred. When I look at my girls, I can see his nobility shining through. What beautiful girls I have! You can read more about their champion relative at the following links:

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

or

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

or

http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Bios/Stockwell.htm

Arcangelo injures his paws

This morning was a beautiful, sunny summer day. I slept in. And finally my kitties woke me up, insisting on their start to the day. So, I was happily about my morning business with Jackie and Moibeal strolling about and little Arcangelo zipping around and flirting like he loves to do in the morning. And then he got injured. I was boiling eggs to take to work with me, and standing in the kitchen, when Arcangelo came in to flirt some more. He jumped up onto the stove in order to do his flirt dance to jump to the top of the fridge. But he hit the very heated part of my flat top and really burned his four pads. His front left was especially burned. He and I just went to the vet where he was such a good boy. He was still and kind and patient with us, as the vet cut the injured tissue off and wrapped him. She gave him some pain killers and he'll have to wear an Elizabethan collar and wraps for a few days. And he'll have to be on antibiotics. We all feel sad in the Sanchez household. Our little goofy flirt is hurt. He's our gorgeaus clown and we want him back to his old flirty, goofy, zippy, sassy self as soon as possible!

Pegasus at Grand Central Station

When I was in New York City this past March, I enjoyed looking for evidence of horses. When I was at Grand Central Station, these beautiful arched ceilings had paintings of constellations, and one of them was of the powerful Pegasus above. You can't see it so well in the photo, but it's really a sort of miracle, it's so lovely. I was glad to be standing in that great hall in Grand Central!

Rags is Violet's twin sister!!!

Here's a picture of Todd Pletcher hanging out with Violet! Okay, I'm just kidding. It's Rags to Riches, hanging out with her personal trainer after winning the Belmont. But can you believe it? She looks just like my cutie pie girl, including having a little dash of pink on her bottom lip, as well as top lip. You know why? Both related to champions. Both decked out on the big heart genes. Both related to Big Red. 'Nuff said.

Look at the little brave macha!!!

Okay, so everyone knows that Rags stumbled out of the gate before gamely winning the Belmont Stakes. But here's a photo to give you perspective. I mean, the sweet girl took a real nose dive and had some work to regroup. But she truly did just stumble out of it and shook it off!!! She was not going to let a little thing like a stumble ruin her day. She was "in it to win it!"

Meghan O'Rourke and her love of horses!

I was surfing the internet and found a blog entry by Meghan O'Rourke published in 2004. She's writing about her childhood love for horses and her strange adult love -- her worries for their well-being and her amazement at their nobility. You can read her blog at the link. This beautiful painting is by Francis Mabel Hollams.

http://www.slate.com/id/2100554/

Robert E. Lee's Confederate Grey Traveller

Throughout most of the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee used the brave and dependable Traveller, pictured here. Traveller was born in 1857 in what is now West Virginia. He died after General Lee, after stepping on a rusty nail and developing lock jaw at the tender age of 13. You can read more about this historically significant horse at the following links:

http://www.stratfordhall.org/leehorses.html

or

http://www.equinenet.org/heroes/travelle.html

or

http://www.allposters.com/-sp/-Posters_i139072_.htm

Touchstone and my Girls!

Both my girls are related to Touchstone, one of the most influential sires of the 19th century and a 4x leader on the sire lists! When he was grown, he was only 15.2 hands with a too long back. When he ran, he was very odd-looking with his hocks turned out and his knees super straight. He would veer if the jockey used the whip, and he'd start slow, but once he got going, his jockey could not pull him down. He favored long races where he "could stay forever." And at exercise, the Thoroughbred Gallery reports that "he was very lazy, and could hardly be kicked along!" During his career, he won the Ascot Gold Cup twice, the St. Leger Stakes, and the Doncaster. He features in this painting by John Frederick Herring. Among the ways my girls are related to him, Hailee has one of his kids, Flatcatcher, and Violet has Orlando! The Sir Dixon line carries Touchstone. You can read more about Touchstone at the following link:
http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Touchstone.html

Violet, Hailee, Rags to Riches, 3 peas in a pod!

Here's a picture of Rags to Riches right after her historical win with her beautiful blanket of white carnations. Doesn't she look happy! Anyway, Rags, Violet, and Hailee share relatives. Rags to Riches' dad is A.P. Indy (who won the Belmont) and her mom is Better than Honour (who produced last year's Belmont Stakes winner, Jazil). So, apparently, Better than Honour deserves a special mother's day card, since she keeps producing Belmont-winning babies! You go, girl!! Rags to Riches also has the very special Secretariat and Seattle Slew in her tree. And what I think is very cool is that she has Busher, War Admiral's rockin' sockin' daughter. Now, here are some of the relatives my girls share with Rags: Blushing Groom, Bimelech, Nasrullah, Traffic Court, War Admiral, Baby League, Bubbling Over, and Equipoise, among many others. In fact, Violet can be proud that they share the same great-grandpa (Rags has Blushing Groom on the bottom, Violet has him on top). And Hailee can be super proud that they share Bubbling Over and Baby League! I am so proud to own a filly thoroughbred, and in the first year that Violet is part of my family, her close filly relative wins the Belmont in historical style. It's good to be part of the equine power girls!!!

Our Filly Cousin wins Belmont!! 1st in 105 Years!

Saturday was a moment in history! Rags to Riches became the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in 105 years! In 1905, Tanya had won, and Ruthless won the very first Belmont. Overall, 22 fillies have tried to take it from the boys. It was an exciting race, let me tell you. She was ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Todd Pletcher. She stumbled right out of the gate, a heavy over her knees, crunched over fetlocks stumble and the boys just took off in front of her. She shook it off, like the champion she is! She was in the outside gate and was on the far outside the entire mile and a half. Velazquez had been told to save her energy and keep mud from being flipped up on her too much. So, she came around the backstretch far out on the track, and Curlin was winning. Well, she stalked him down and it was just the two of them for about a half mile. She had it most of the way, by a girl's nose, and then he surged and took it from her. But -- get this -- she took it back and refused to lose. She won by a clear head victory! Let me tell you, the grandstand went nuts!!! The first filly to win in 105 years for goodness' sake!!! And the first filly to win since they extended the Belmont's distance. Velazquez was thrilled because though he had won the 2004 Eclipse Award for jockey of the year (the year Rags was born, mind you), he was 0 for 20 in Triple Crown races. And her trainer, Todd Pletcher, while the nation's leading trainer for 3 years running, has gone 0 for 28 up until now for Triple Crown Races. Rags has given him his first jewel!! Rags has two dads, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, who think of her win not as a feminist victory because they are used to the European racing tradition, where people think of the girls as just as macho competitors as the boys!! Of their decision to put Rags in the Belmont, her dad Tabor said, "It was a fantastic feat. We thought it was something the public would like to see." Yes, the public did enjoy it! Who doesn't like to witness a flatout moment in history!!!

Lady's Secret -- Secretariat's Baby!

Lady's Secret was Secretariat's daughter and most successful progeny. She was so successful that it's hard to know where to begin! Her record was 45: 25-9-3 with total earnings of $3,021,328. She was trained by D. Wayne Lukas. She was voted #76 on the Blood Horse Top 100 race horses of the 20th century list. In 1986, as an older mare, she defeated the best male horses in our nation four times! She won 10 of her 15 starts in her fourth year, and every single one was a Graded Stakes race! Eight of those 10 wins were in Grade 1 Stakes Races!! No other horse in history has won that many Graded Stakes races in a single season. She was the first filly to win the Whitney Stakes since Gallorette. So, no wonder that she won the Eclipse Outstanding Older Female Horse Award and the very privileged, rarely won by fillies, Eclipse Horse of the Year Award! She is the all-time highest female money-earner. She was inducted in the Hall of Fame the year I earned my Ph.D., 1992!!! How cool is that! Her nickname was "Iron Lady" and she was ridden frequently by Pat Day. But another of her riders, Chris McCarron said of her, "Lady's Secret was awesome! She brought a very tough attitude with her into every race!" The Lady's Secret Cafe at Monmouth Park in New Jersey and the Lady's Secret Breeder's Cup Handicap at Santa Anita honor her! On All Saint's Day in 1986, she won the Breeder's Cup Distaff, sealing her fate as an Eclipse Winner. In one of the links below, you can see that race! It's fabulous! She ran like her daddy. She was out front right at the start, relaxed, calm, smooth, running her own private race. She stays out front the entire time, mostly at 5 1/2 lengths. They try to close on her, but as the announcer says, she "puts it in another gear." As she sails effortlessly over the finish line, way, way in front, the announcer goes nuts and says, "[she is] a brilliant champion! Another flawless performance!" She retired to become a mother and bore 11 kids. She died due to complications of childbirth on March 4, 2003, the same week that Violet was born. Her last foal is named Cool Valley Cowboy! You can read more about this amazing filly at the following links:

http://www.tmeter.com/horses/ladyssecret.html
or
http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=99
or
http://www.thoroughbredchampions.com/biographies/ladyssecret.htm
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady

Hailee and her sister Violet!

Hailee shares some small sweet connections to Violet. She has Violet's Mint Sauce in a few of her lines, including the Rosewood, Percentage and Chicle lines. She also has Violet Melrose and Violet in their shared Helene de Troie lines!! I just think that's very sweet. Remember too that they share a horse named Laura and Violet has a Gay Laura too. So, we all happily share a few namesakes, just like family should!

Rags to Riches enters Belmont Stakes!

Violet's cousin, Rags to Riches, will run in the Belmont Stakes this Saturday! She'll be one of 22 fillies who has tried to win over its more than 100 years. The last filly to win was 105 years ago -- only two fillies have ever won, Ruthless in the very first and then Tanya a few years later! So, there will be 7 horses running, with Curlin and Hard Spun the favorites. Violet and Rags share the same great-grandpa, Blushing Groom. And Rags has Secretariat and A.P. Indy. A.P. Indy is the first stud to successfully produce a baby from the Eclipse Horse of the Year Azeri who just had her first filly this spring and who is now bred to Storm Cat! Anyway, Violet and I will be rooting for her gal cousin!

Angel Cordero -- jockey and exercise rider

Angel Cordero was in the press a few weeks ago because he is an exercise rider and jockey's agent. He's been advising Calvin Borel about mounts, and encouraged him to take Street Sense in the Derby. It was interesting to read up on him, as I hadn't heard about him in awhile. He was born in 1942 in Santurce, Puero Rico and immigrated to the States in 1962. He won 2 Eclipse Awards, and led in wins in 1968 and was among the top money-earning jockeys in 1976, 1982, and 1985. He is only one of 4 jockeys who have won the Kentucky Derby 3 times, which he won on Cannonade, Bold Forbes, and Spend A Buck. He has won jewels in the Triple Crown 6 times. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1988, and he was a big time favorite at Saratoga! When he retired, with well over 7,000 rides, he had a 18.3% win rate. In 1992, he was injured in a horse race, and came back briefly in 1995. Of his recovery process, he said that he felt better, more fit, more well, riding than not, so he had to talk his doctor into giving the green light. But now, he exercise rides and that's enough! One of his more famous quotes is, "If a horse has four legs, and I'm riding it, I think I can win!" You can read more about him at the following links:

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/jockey.asp?ID=177

or

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

Hyde Park, London!

When we were staying at Claridges in London, we were right by Hyde Park. I loved to get up in the morning and scoot down past the American Embassy and head into the park. I saw Kensington Palace, the new fountain dedicated to Princess Diana, the Prince Albert Royal Museum. I enjoyed going to the waterways and walking the bridle paths. And it was fun to come to the edges of the park and discover different neighborhoods, like the Italian district and China Town. I also enjoyed going to the Poet's Corner with Marty and Vicki. Hyde Park was a special part of our trip. And I would get an adrenalin fit whenever I would see people hacking in the park on their horses. Can you imagine? English riding in Hyde Park in England!!! How cool is that!?! Here is a photo I took off the internet of a group of goofy people taking a Christmas ride in Hyde Park!

Ace Card and my Violet!

Violet is related to the Kentucky Broodmare of the Year and Gazelle Stakes winner, Ace Card. Ace Card has a great pedigree since her grandsires are Man 'O War and Teddy. For Violet, Ace Card is bred to Count Fleet (Triple Crown winner) to produce One Count(Belmont Stakes winner) who is bred to a filly by War Admiral! Completely cool. In this photo, you see one of Ace Card's boyfriends, the handsome Count Fleet. You can read more about this broodmare of the year at the following links:

http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Graves/cem/GraveMattersFaraway.html
or
http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricDams/AmBroodmareofYear.html
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazelle_Handicap
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Count

Statue of Felipe III in Plaza Mayor, Madrid Spain!

When Anita and I were in Madrid, we often spent time in the Plaza Mayor. This statute of the King on a fat horse is right in the middle of the Plaza. It was given to Felipe III by the Florentine ruler, Cosimo de Medici in 1616. It was sculpted by two Italian artists, Pietro Tacca and Giambologna. Don't you just love that name, Cosimo? I think it's grand that I have been in both Florence and Madrid!!

My Favorite Man 'O War photo

Here's my favorite photo of Man 'O War with his groom, Mr. Will Harbut. You can tell that they have great love for each other.

Twilight Tear and My Girls!

My girls are closely related to a very famous racing filly, Twilight Tear. In fact, Violet is very closely related to her. Twilight Tear "Suzie" was born in 1941 and she was the daughter of Bull Lea and Lady Lark, Blue Larkspur's daughter. Suzie was Calumet Farm's first champion sired by Bull Lea and was 1 of 3 champions in his very first foal crop -- Durazna and Armed. It's important to note that Bull Lea was a leading American Sire 5 times, producing 58 stakes winners, 4 Horses of the Year, and 3 Kentucky Derby winners! His daughter Suzie was one of those Horses of the Year! Her trainer, Ben A. Jones, who had already trained Whirlaway, said of her that she was the best he had ever trained, though later he would train her daddy's Triple Crown son, Citation!. So, no faint praise for her! She beat Violet's Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner relative, Pensive. She even beat boys with a 2 length victory in the Arlington Classic! That was her 11th straight victory in her third year! She closed out that year when "she met two-time handicap champion Devil Diver in the Pimlico Special. The older colt was beaten in the first quarter, and Twilight Tear went on to win by 6 lengths, tying the track record set by Seabiscuit in his 1938 victory over War Admiral" (cited from the Unofficial thoroughbred hall of fame website). So, at the close of her third year, she claimed the Eclipse Horse of the Year award, the first filly to do that since 40 years earlier by Beldame. She also had taken the 2 year-old filly of the year, 3 year-old filly of the year, and Champion Handicap Mare! Her final track record was 24: 18-2-2, $202,165. She retired in her fourth year because of bleeding. She was inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in the year of my birth, 1963! And she was voted 59th out of the Top 100 race horses of the 20th century. And in a 1955 trainers' association poll, she was voted the second greatest filly in American racing history, behind the fabulous Gallorette. She is related to both my girls, but is closely, closely related to Violet. Among many, they share Ormonde, St. Simon, Bull Lea, Blue Larkspur, Durazna. You can read more about this super amazing filly at the following links:

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

or

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

or

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=156

West Australian and My Girls!

In the past 150 years of racing the English Triple Crown, only 15 horses have won it. My girls share in the pedigree of the very first one, West Australian. Here he is in a painting by Harry Hall. West Australianwas born in 1850 to Melbourne and Mowerina, a filly born from the champion-producing, Emma, daughter of Touchstone. West Australian was a vigorous descendant of the Godolphin Arabian line. His jockey was Frank Butler, and original owner was John Bowes. The trainer was John Scott. West Australian's record was 11: 10-1-0. And he won the St. Leger in a canter. Of this accomplishment, Butler said, "I only touched him with the whip once and I was glad to get him stopped!" He ended his amazing race career with a 20-length victory in a stakes race. Unfortunately, he was not celebrated for his stud work in his life time. He produced Australian and Solon and through these and his other kids, produced amazing horses, such as Spendthrift, Kingston, Hastings, Fair Play, Man 'O War, Spearmint, and Plucky Liege. These are all noble horses in Violet and Hailee's pedigree. So, it wasn't until much later that he became known for his amazing contributions to the genetic heritage of thoroughbreds. Sort of like a Van Gogh among horses. In fact, he was even overshadowed in death. He died 3 days before Stockwell at age 20, while he was living in France. And so the media covered Stockwell's death in great detail and mentioned West Australian as an afterthought. We got wise later. He later received honors and memorials for his special gifts. You can read more about Violet and Hailee's English Triple Crown winner at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_Crown_of_Thoroughbred_Racing
or
http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/WestAustralian.html
or
http://www.thoroughbredchampions.com/library/engtrip2.htm

Queen Elizabeth II Visits Kentucky (Again!)

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, is too cool! When she came to the states this spring, she stayed in the Lexington area to visit friends and to watch the Kentucky Derby. She had a private box overlooking the finish line, so she could watch Street Sense win. Then, because she's so hip, she invited the winning jockey, Calvin Borel, to a white tie state dinner at the White House on the Monday following the Derby. How cool is that? Mr. Bush thinks of that white tie dinner as the most important of his presidency! But that's not all. HRH Queen Elizabeth visited family back in 1984. Her father, King George VI, bred Knight's Daughter, but sold her to Claiborne Farms. She had been a speedy sprinter, but he sold her. She was bred to Violet's relative, Princequillo, and the result was Round Table. Round Table raced 66: 43 - 8 -5 and earned $1,749,869. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972, was voted #17 on the Blood Horse Top 100 of the 20th century list, was voted U.S. Horse of the Year in 1958, and Leading Sire in North America in 1972. He was U.S. Champion Turf Horse in 1957, 1958, and 1959. And he was U.S. Champion Male Handicap Horse in 1958 and 1959. He was a leading broodmare sire for a loooong time. He was amazing because he got the best traits from both his mom, the sprinter, and his dad, the distance runner. Speaking of magic, he was born on the same farm and the same day as Bold Ruler, another very important race horse and stud! Some of Round Table's important matings were with Moccasin, a very important racing filly! Anyway, back to the Queen. When she visited the States in 1984, she asked to be taken especially to visit and pay her respects to the elder statesman, Round Table. She asked to visit her family! She must have been wanting to see Knight's Daughter's baby! He died at the age of 33, a few years later in 1987 and is buried at Claiborne Farm. Anyway, you know I think the Queen is cool! When she comes to the states, she goes to visit her friends in Lexington, including her horsey friends. What a lady!

You can read more about Round Table at the following links:
http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=127
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Round_Table_(horse)
or
http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/roundtable.html
or
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/article.cgi?id=3729