Breaking News! Curlin Wins 4 Year-Old Debut!

What a good boy! Yesterday Curlin won the $175,000 Jaguar Cup at the Nad al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai. And he won easily. In fact, his trainer and rider felt he was a little rank, full of himself, in the race. Ready to romp! He got pulled off the rail by Albarado because he was being such a bull and then at the end just surged ahead easily, happily, smoothly to win with grade in a breeze. No pushing, no jockeying, just romping! He won by 2 1/4 lengths over the other 5 horses all of whom carried significantly less weight than our American champion!

These AP photos by Tracy Brand capture some of the excitement. Notice that in every photo, Curlin's ears are forward. He's not working hard. He's just having fun, ears pricked and at complete dominating ease. I'm not sure based on those photos that he even knows he's in a race! No wonder the AP reporting said he had a "perfect trip."

His jockey, Robby Albarado, says, "It is a real honor to be associated with him and he has shown why tonight. I took him wide to settle him as he was a bit keen and from then I was never concerned."

So, far our big American sweetheart has a 10:7-1-2 record and has earned $5,247,800. He came in third at the Kentucky Derby, won the Preakness, got beat by my girl Rags to Riches in the Belmont, and won the Jockey Gold Cup and Breeders Cup Classic. He is prepped and ready to roll for the March 29th, $6 million Dubai World Cup

Cute Rory on a cold Saturday Morning!

Here's my new kitten shortly after she was adopted in January. She's enjoying a cold early Saturday morning in this photo. I was getting ready to go visit my equine girls and Rory gave me a morning greeting.

Breaking News! Breeders Cup goes Feminist!

Here is a photo taken by Vanessa Ng of Honey Ryder. Honey Ryder competed in the 2007 Breeders Cup and placed! What a good competitive girl.

Yesterday, the equine industry announced that the Breeders Cup was moving to a new format with this year's October 24-25th competition at Santa Anita Race Track. Friday would be an all-female championship schedule. And the cool Breeders Cup folk are not only going to honor fillies and mares with a special day of rich racing, they are going to schedule a series of festivities to promote women's health!

How cool is that? And right when I was feeling low about women's rights too. Also, as a last note, they are renaming the G1 Breeders Cup Distaff to the G1 Breeders Cup Ladies Classic.

Tsin-Tsin!

Peace Pilgrim

Please help me to be a peace pilgrim like Mildred Norman Ryder.

http://www.peacepilgrim.net/index.htm

Breaking News! Curlin Gets Set in Dubai!

Okay, I'm not happy about Curlin being in Dubai, but what can you do. Maybe he can be a messenger for world peace as well the Eclipse Horse of the Year and 2007 Breeders Cup Classic Winner!

He arrived on February 17th and began training on February 20th. He's getting ready for the March 29th, Dubai World Cup, but his first race as a four year-old will be tomorrow at Nad Al Sheba racecourse in the $175,000 handicap race, the Jaguar Cup.

He is with his assistant trainer, Steve Biasi. In this photo, you see Curlin with his regular exercise rider, Carmen Rosas, and with Mr. Biasi leading on Poncho. He'll be ridden by his regular jockey, Robby Albarado. And he'll be carrying 132 pounts, 15 more pounds than his other 5 competitors. The distance is set at 1 1/4 miles, just like the Dubai World Cup.

So, this marks the first time that an American horse trained in Dubai for a major race, so I am sure they are very happy. Asmussen wants Curlin ready for the particular strains and newnesses of Dubai. Curlin lives in a barn all by himself in a quarantined area and he's close to a mosque, so he hears the morning prayers regularly (which must be nice). The sights, sounds, smells, everything is new to him. Even the breaking gates are much smaller than in the United States, and they expect him to stand in the paddocks an hour well before the race so people can see him, and he's got to walk very very close to the grandstands under big lights. So, that'll be a big experience for him too! He trains pretty much in solitude, unlike his life at the Fair Grounds, where not only is there lots of equine traffic, but there's always an odd chance that a horse will break free and run right at you (like what happened to Pyro at the Fair Grounds last week on February 18th).

His assistant trainer, Mr. Biasi, says, "Everybody thinks it's a big vacation, but it's the same hours. I get to the barn at 3:30am. We get there in the morning, I tie him to the wall just like at Fair Grounds, wash his poultice off, get a cup of coffee, and sit and wait to train him. I've kept him on the same schedule so he knows when things are going to happen. He gets his breakfast at 4am, gets his lunch the same time every day."

And really, whether you are the Eclipse Horse of the Year or you are Violet in Ohio, what more could you really want -- knowing exactly when and where the next meal is coming from!

Interrupted Kisses!

Here is a little video of my girls giving themselves gentle kisses. This video was taken in mid-January. Since then, my girls have become cranky. Hailee is huge, like a planet, with her foal. And Violet is bored and unhappy with the winter and lack of work or attention. On Monday, Violet took a huge bite out of Hailee's neck, removing layers of skin and all the hair for a section the size of my hand. Hailee screamed out in pain. They were building up to that sort of outburst. H has been pin-earred with V who is desperate for attention and needy. Can't wait for the spring! Warm sun, green pastures, new baby, and happy working productive mares!!!

I send up prayers that I will have the financial security in my life to carry through with the social contract I have with these girls. I hope they can count on me for their well-being.

Breaking News! War Pass and Cool Coal Man have big weekend!

Here are photos of War Pass and Cool Coal Man taken this past weekend as they won their races. Both horses are owned by Robert LePenta and trained by Nick Zito, so the whole family is very happy. War Pass earned his 5th win in 5 starts in his 3 year-old debut in a $60,000 allowance race in Gulfstream Park. He is the 2007 Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old colt Champion and a top contender for the Kentucky Derby this spring. He won the Breeder's Cup Juvenile last October. So far, he's earned $1,433,400 for his dad. He won his spring debut by 7 1/2 lengths!

His trainer said, "He broke like a rocket." His parents are Cherokee Run and Vue by Mr. Prospector, so he is closely related to Violet, especially on her dad's side. Dame Francesca is War Pass's grandma, and Cherokee Run's dad is Runaway Groom! He also has Nasrullah, War Admiral and Count Fleet.

Cool Coal Man is also a contender for the Kentucky Derby and here you see him edging to a win in the $350,000 G2 Fountain of Youth race shortly after his brother, War Pass, won his allowance race.

Both horses are fabulous, truly fabulous. So, no wonder their dad said, "Right now, you'd have to say we're over the moon!" He is excited about his boys!

Breaking News! Another Winter Day!

I went to bed early last night and woke up to a winter wonderland in late February! Zelia and I were so excited. We took a walk to the park and Z ran around like a young puppy!

What a nice way to start our day!

Farmers Market in January!

Here is my beloved Farmers Market in January! Inside that Open side is a place brimful of happy, nice people with organic hoop grown winter vegetables, wax candles, honey, coffee, etc. It's wonderful. And behind this building is my lady who sells me antiobiotic-free Amish chicken and cheese. Namaste, Toledo Farmers Market!

Violet's New Cooler!

Mom and Elena gave me a gift certificate to the Sporthorse Saddlery store for Christmas. So, I bought this beautiful cooler for Violet. It's the most soft, sort of oily, jet black color with beautiful purple trim. I didn't think she would ever need it because we never break a sweat in the winter!

But one day, she pulled out the Thoroughbred big time! I was lunging her and she chose to just tear off, galloping around the arena, in big, coming around the final turn, in the longstretch, running-for-home kind of way. She got herself into a wet steaming curly-haired lather.

So, I broke out her new cooler and put it on. She was cute as a button and it worked like magic. Within 5 minutes, the surface of the cooler was all wet to the touch and my beautiful Thoroughbred girl was all warm, cozy dry, smooth haired, and looking calm like a princess. She probably thought she was wearing her prize cooler after winning the big race. Such a lovely young super girl!

Sugar Swirl and My Girls!

Sugar Swirl and Violet share the same birthday, March 8, 2003! Sugar's parents are Touch Gold and Astrapi by Distinctive Pro. She is owned by Adena Springs, Ontario, by Frank Stronach, the same guy who gets to own Ginger Punch. She is in her 5th year and is still racing. Her career record so far is 18: 8-3-4 and she's won 5 stakes races! She has earned over $620,000!

This weekend before, on Sunday at Gulfstream Park, she won in a way that the NTRA says "dazzles." She won the $150,000 Hurricane Bertie G3 race by 8 3/4 lengths. This was her second stakes race win in a row and her third race win in a row.

Her jockey said of her easy, driving victory, which she finished at leisure "in hand," "I had a ton of horse going for home!" He thinks she can run farther!

Sweet Hailee the Broodmare!

Okay, this morning I spent a few minutes looking for "foal gestational development blogs" and I found these two adorable blogs devoted to the experience of "foal watch!" -- Waiting for Baby!!

Check them out, they are cute. I especially like the one where the lady checks her mare constantly and the mare pins her ears each time and then one night, after a restless sleep at the barn, the lady wakes up and peeks in the stall and there's two sets of pinned ears -- mama and baby and baby already learning from mama to be ungrateful to grandma! I can't wait to see Hailee Jr.!
http://thelazyf.homestead.com/foalwatch.html
or
http://www.roads-end-farm.net/farm/Mares/Sophie/SophieWatch2003.htm

Little Mama! February 23rd, 2008!

Hi. I took these "Little Mama" pictures on Friday, February 22nd because I am going to Elena and Steve's for the weekend to visit my nieces. I stopped by the stable after work and my girls were hanging out together. They were glad to see me. Hailee was in a loving quiet girl mood and Violet was in a playful Thoroughbred mood! Look at that little baby bump! Jr. is getting bigger!



I had lunch with Barbie today (Friday). It was so nice to catch up and to see her baby, KT. We had a good chat.

nice picture of me and my girl

Here's a picture from mid-February. You can see me and Hailee and there is my little Violet, peeking at us from her stall. We are a blessed family. We are happy and quiet and pleasantly waiting for Hailee Jr.

Christmas Dinner 2007!

Here we are at Christmas dinner. The only little face missing is sweet Clara who is hiding behind Jane. We had a feast. Thank you for this family.

Stymie the High-Headed Horse

Here's another photo, courtesy of Rancho San Antonio, of the beautiful, handsome, crowd-pleasing, hard-working, dutiful Stymie. He was born April 14, 1941 at King Ranch in Texas. His parents were Equestrian and Stop Watch by On Watch. Between the ages of 2-8, he ran and won races from anywhere of 1 to 2 1/2 miles! He was the Eclipse Champion Handicap Horse in 1945. He ended up racing 131 times for a final record of 35(25), 33(19), 28(19). He earned $918,485 and remained the highest earner until the first milionaire, Citation.

His first owner, Max Hirsch, put him in a $1,500 claiming race very early in his career and he was claimed by his trainer and then lifetime owner, Hirsch Jacobs, who transferred his ownership to his good wife, Ethel. Ethel was Stymie's mom for the rest of his days until he passed in 1962.

From 1945-1947, he won 24 races and finished in the top 3 in 50 of his 58 starts! He ran 28 times as a 2 year-old and 29 times as a 3 year-old. He got a small breather, a chance to rest, because of a racing ban during World War II. And when they finally lifted the ban after his rest, he started to win like crazy!

During his career, he set 3 track records, and twice each he won the Metropolitan, Saratoga Cup, Gallant Fox, Grey Lag, Aqueduct, and Sussex Handicaps. He earned #41 on the Top 100 thoroughbreds of the 20th century and was inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in 1975!

As a stud, he was pretty good, producing 6% stakeswinners! Among his progeny, he can count my little Violet, such a good solid sweet girl. I hope she has his stamina!

Breaking News! Rags to Riches Only Living Triple Crown Filly

Here's a photo by Terence Dulay after Rags won the Belmont Stakes for her family. Here is some important news: Now that Winning Colors has passed, Rags to Riches is the only living filly to have won either the Kentucky Derby, Preakness or Belmont Stakes. She is a precious, precious girl.

Here's some history. Of the 112 fillies to have run in any of the jewels, only 10 have won. Of the 38 fillies to run in the Kentucky Derby since 1875, only three won: Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and our recently dearly departed Winning Colors (1988).

Of the 52 fillies to run in the Preakness Stakes since 1873, only four have won: Flocarline (1903), Whimsical (1906), Rhine Maiden (1915), and Nellie Morse (1924).

Of the 21 fillies to run in the Belmont Stakes since 1867, only three have won: Ruthless (1867), Tanya (1905), and Rags to Riches (2007).

1915 would have been a fun year -- two girls taking the Kentucky Derby and Preakness!

Bless the strong champion hearts of these good girls and their 102 other big-hearted racing sisters.

Fond Memories of Winning Colors

Here is a photo from 1988 of Winning Colors with her trainers D. Wayne and Jeff Lukas, father and son. Today the Daily Racing Form and NTRA webpages had very nice stories about this proud, big girl.

Her grandma was purchased with a filly at side by the Sucher family at Echo Valley Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky. That filly became Winning Colors' mama. When they went to sell Winning Colors as a yearling, D. Wayne Lukas saw her and knew that she was a big girl with big muscle. He purchased her for Eugene V. Klein. The daughter in this family, Carmie, now 44, said that she remembered Winning Colors as headstrong -- her first word for her.

Carmie said, "She was one of those horses that did what she wanted to do. She had a plan. She was a strong, husky filly, and she was always very attractive with her roan color. She stood out. She was a good horse, but she could drag you around when you walked her, if she wanted to go look at something. She wasn't laid back. She always had a mission."

They sold her as a yearling, and then didn't see her again until she was 3 in the Derby. The 1988 Derby that she won was the only Derby Carmie has been to. Winning Colors gave the first Derby victory to her entire family -- to her parents -- the Suchers, to her trainers Jeff and Wayne, and to her new dad, Eugene V. Klein. They had never had a taste of the roses before this big girl won the roses for them.

Carmie said of that Derby day, "We hadn't seen her since she was a yearling, and she was just huge. She was larger than life then."

Another nice story about Winning Colors came out of Southeast Oklahoma from the little town of 2,988 people Atoka. Jeff Lukas, WC's trainer, now lives in Atoka. He said fondly of her, "She was always a big, tall, long-striding filly -- an extremely well-structured individual. The thing about her was just controlling her. She was not the kind that would just settle down. We had to keep her from doing too much because she tried to put a lot into her training that wasn't necessary. "

In the Daily Racing Form article today, he discusses the need for strong understanding exercise riders and about how she'd bring her heart to specific tracks.

His story is amazing because it's a miracle he has memories at all. On December 15, 1993, he was knocked into the ground by a runaway colt, Tabasco Cat, who would go on to win the 1994 Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Mr. Lukas received a head injury so severe that he went into a coma and was under peril of dying because blood kept going into his lower brain column's entry into the spine. They drilled a hole into his head. The doctor said that the injury was as severe as a serious automobile or motorcycle accident.

Jeff Lukas left horse training and lost his marriage, though he still has a good fathering relationship with his growing children. Now he works for a bank of a family friend in Atoka. And he says of the hand that life dealt him, "Getting out of the house, working full-time, it feels great. I turned 5-0 last year, and it was no problem. After all I've been through, I'm glad to have birthdays."

Isn't this a nice group of people and a nice powerful, bossy, girl with a mission? We don't have any more living fillies

My Sweet and Loving Violet

Here's a little photo taken October 22, 2007 of my sweet, darling Violet.

This smart sweet girl, this beautiful creation, likes me lots. She gives me big-hearted, open-faced love. She comes toward me and greets me when I visit. She is glad to claim me. I'm a lucky girl.

Breaking News! Winning Colors Passes at 23

This past Sunday morning, at age 23, Winning Colors was euthanized after complications from colic surgery. She was one of three fillies to win the Kentucky Derby. Her sisters in pride are Regret and Genuine Risk. This good girl was born on Valentine's Day, 1985.

Here is a photo of Winning Colors defeating 49er for the Derby win back in 1988. Before this race, she had won both the Santa Anita Oaks and Santa Anita Derby, and Gary Stevens, her jockey, rode her to the first derby win for her trainer, Wayne Lukas, after 12 tries.

Secretariat's son, Risen Star, then beat her in both the Preakness and Belmont, but her record still shines! She won the 1988 Eclipse Award for Champion 3 year-old filly.

Lukas said of her, "Of all the horses that we had in our stable, and we've been blessed with some good ones, she was probably the one that was closest to Jeff (Lukas' son)." Jeff assisted his dad in preparing Winning Colors in preparing for her Derby win.

She passed hands a few times when she retired, but was a good broodmare and well beloved. Rest in Peace, you champion girl!

Touch Your Horse with Your Heart! -- Being in the Moment!

I could have labelled this entry "the Perfect Day" because of how wonderful it was. Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night, feeling bad for H and V because the winter is boring and they get no challenges. So, I was determined to drag something new there and pull out the PVC poles to work with our lunging.

And then when I woke up, my horse magazine listed a series of letters from people who were talking about how to "mix it up" in the winter to fight the winter blues.

So, I get a big piece of poster board and I go to the barn and V and H are happy to see me. And they are intrigued when I am hauling these big poles into the barn. They were watching with ears pricked. I let V into the arena while I was sitting up the poles as 4 points in a big circle. She was fascinated because she is a lively intelligent young thing!

And she was such a good girl! She enjoyed lunging over those poles in both directions, trotting and cantering with energy and joy and direction and focus and lively spirits. And then I set up two jumps rather than 4 points. One jump was a little ditch -- two poles separated on the ground. And the other jump was your basic X set to about 8 inches. She just sniffed and sniffed those jumps.

And I could tell right off that she knew what to do! And boy did she do it! She cantered big and loose and focused and powered over the jumps. She didn't pause or make small work of the ground ditch either, but popped right over. Yes, she knocked the X jump over both directions, but it was her first time at this activity and I was proud of her willingness to "pop" over and try her best. She was happy to work with me on this task. Then when I pulled out the big posterboard to see if she would walk over it, she beat me to it. I threw it on the ground, and she walked over, sniffed, and stomped on it. Brave smart trusting girl.

Then, of course, we did some Parellis. She is so smart that we tried different sorts of new challenges. She thinks that backing through tight spaces is no big deal. And she thinks that pausing before walking through a gate is just courteous good sense.

My smart thoroughbred. You should have seen her eyes shine today! She was happy, loose, relaxed. I'd be in some spot in the arena and she would power walk that long lean thoroughbred way with her ears pricked forward to get to me. I can tell that she liked the fact that we mixed it up and I offered her a new job today. I am proud of her.

And H! She was not to be outdone. She was as sweet as pie. She let me lunge her both directions with sweetness and spirit. She tried to canter a few steps each direction just to show me that she still can. And then she stood patient and sweet and quiet as I worked foal introductions with her in her stall.

A perfect day. Treats for everyone. Namaste.

Annoyed Racehorse!

Check this out. Does this not tell you everything you need to know about what super jet-charged creatures of air these thoroughbreds are?!

This horse looks like a space craft ready to launch. And I definitely wouldn't want to be there when those hind legs flash out.

I wonder what annoying thing his handlers did to him to set him off! I can just imagine what he's thinking. "Let go! Let go! Let go! I want to run, run, run!!"

Octave, Panty Raid, and Rags to Riches

In these photos by Cindy Pierson Dulay, Barbara Livingston, and Equisport Photos, you see the lovely competitors for this year's Eclipse Champion Three-year-old Filly Award -- Panty Raid,Octave and Rags to Riches.

Octave was foaled April 13, 2004 and purchased for $350K at the Keeneland Sales in September 2005. Her parents are Unbridleds Song and Belle Nuit by Dr. Carter. Her record was 13: 4-7-2 and she earned $1,660,934, so she definitely paid back her purchase price! She won 2 Grade 1 races, the Mother Goose and Coaching Club American Oaks, and was runner-up in the Fairgrounds Oaks and Kentucky Oaks. She was purchased by Darley Stud to be a broodmare, and she retired in November 2007. She'll be bred to the freshman sire, Discreet Cat.

Panty Raid was foaled March 8, 2004, Violet's birthday, but a year later! Her parents are Include and Adventurous Di by Private Account. She was purchased in April 2006 for $275K at the Keeneland Sales. Her race record is 9: 5-1-1 and she has earned so far $1,052,380, again, earning her keep! She won the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.

Rags to Riches was foaled February 27, 2004 and her parents were A.P. Indy and Better than Honour by Deputy Minister. She was purchased at the September 2005 Keeneland Sales for $1.9 million! So far, she has earned $1,342,528, so she hasn't quite paid herself off yet. However, she did give her human parents a big dose of pride in winning the Belmont Stakes and earning the NTRA "Moment of the Year" by kicking the butt of Curlin, this year's Eclipse Horse of the Year winner! She won her Champion three-year-old filly Eclipse Award and was a runner for Horse of the Year, losing to the boy she beat -- another story of a great gal falling to the politics of the old boys network! Aargh. Anyway, she not only has won the Belmont Stakes, but she has also won the Kentucky Oaks (practically yawning, it was so easy) and the Santa Anita Oaks and Las Virgenes Stakes.

Such lovely girls!

We are the coolest people we know!

Here we are! Hailee, Wilbur, Vi in the background in her stall, and fat and sassy me! I could not be happier. I am so happy, my eyes are half-closed in buddhist bliss!

Little Mama! February 16th, 2008!

Here we are on Saturday, February 16th! Jr. really had a growing spurt this week. S/he's making her presence known.

We had a lovely morning. I groomed Hailee, talked sweet to the girls, lunged H and V, chatted with Stephanie and Debbie, fussed around in my nest, played with girls, and enjoyed my amazing life.

Here is a photo as we think about just how much Jr. has grown since last Saturday! Loving thoughts to Little Mama!

Jr. on Valentine's Day!

Check this out! Jr. is on a HUGE growing spurt this week. S/he's just growing big and strong, and feeling all safe and warm with her mom! We love this baby and look forward to meeting her or him!

My Valentine Girls!

On my Valentine's Day, I received sweet messages from friends, a treat or two and laughs, text messages with words of happiness. It was a nice Valentine's Day!

And I also went to visit my girls after a hard day at work. They were having their evening snack. Don't they just look beautiful? Violet is a dear -- she loves me so. Hailee is a darling -- she trusts me so. We are a happy family.

Steph had text messaged me in the afternoon, telling me that Hailee was getting bigger by the minute. And you can see in her photo -- Jr. is taking form, gaining weight, getting strong, becoming a presence in this world. I talked to him or her this evening, talked words of love, words of happiness, words of gratitude. And I told the baby how wonderful his/her mama will be! And grandma too! And Auntie Vi! Namaste, happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from me to all my favorite people -- great students, great friends, family, nieces, pets, horses, artists, researchers, peace pilgrims, yogis, farmers, gardeners, ladies who lunch.

And bless the hearts of those who love me exactly the way I am.

Smooches!

Breaking News! A Beagle Wins Best at Show at Westminster!

For the first time in the Westminster Kennel show history, a beagle won Best of Show! His pet name is Uno and everyone went wild when he won. I didn't watch. I always burst into tears when I see all the little doggies who tried their very bestest for their mommies and daddies and who don't win. I can't take it. I just think these shows should end with all the judges and mommies and daddies suddenly jumping up and down giving all the doggies lots of love while saying, "Who's the bestest doggie? Who's the bestest doggie? You's the bestest doggie, yes, you is!" That would be a much nicer way to end the show.

Anyway, Uno gets to do up the Big Apple today and even has a special steak lunch date at Sardi's. Lucky dog.

But really. I know I'm biased, but still. Here's a picture of Zelia. One of Uno's criteria as best of Beagles was to be a representative of a "merry little dog." Who's more merry than Zelia? Such a sweetie. I know she would win Best of Show! She's won the Best of Show in this household anyway!

Light Exercise for Little Mama!

Here's a video of my pregnant girl from mid-January having a light exercise. She is really good about lunging. She's so sensitive, pays such good attention. You can really see her Quarter Horse intelligence. She is ready to move in a flash. She's much bigger now than she was in this video, but still super light on her hooves! This photo was taken on Feb. 9th while I was standing on a ladder in Violet's stall next door. I was hanging treats and toys for my active bored thoroughbred.

Breaking News! Green Monkey Retires in February!

The news announced that Green Monkey will be returning home to Ocala, Florida to retire to stud at Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds. This young stud was born February 4, 2004, in Ocala, so he's younger than my own little Violet!. He's also from her home town!

He is the most expensive horse sold at public auction, going for $16 million at the Fasig-Tipton Calder February 2006 Sale after a bidding wore between Coolmore in Kentucky and Sheik Mohammed al-Maktoum's Darley Stud. Coolmore won.

GM's parents are Forestry and Magical Masquerade by Unbridled. He was named after a golf course in Barbados and also because he was foaled in the Chinese year of the monkey.

He hurt his gluteal muscle, so his trainer, Todd Pletcher, didn't run him until September 2007. He ran twice, in September and October, at Belmont. In the first race he finished 3rd, in the second, he finished 4th of 7. In race earnings, he recoupled .0325% of his initial sale tag! Good boy. Just like Violet.

It doesn't matter though because at that level, people are simply buying his ancestry for a stud farm. He turned in blistering fast "sale" workouts, so people knew he would be a good investment even if he wasn't a super winner on the track. He'll be offically at stud in 2009!
Now I mention that he is the most expensive horse sold at public auction, BUT that doesn't mean that there' weren't possibly more expensive sales transactions for Thoroughbreds. People with "that" kind of money often like to do things "privately."