Breaking News! Rags to Riches Injured

This past Saturday, September 15th, Rags to Riches lugged a bit in the homestretch as she placed by half a length behind Lear's Princess in the Gazelle Stakes. She cooled out fine, but the next morning was lame. She was x-rayed and they discovered sadly that she has a hairline fracture in her right front pastern. So, at 10:45am Monday, Rags left her trainer, Tom Pletcher's Belmont Park barn to travel to her dad's, John Magnier's Kentucky farm, the Ashford Stud near Versailles.

She will undergo 6 weeks stall rest and then on November 1st be re-Xrayed to see if she can go into training again and race as a 4 year-old. Some feel that she received this injury in the Belmont when she stumbled out of the gate, but then went on to become the first filly to win in 102 years. Pletcher describes her as a competitive, macho, rambunctious young race horse, and he feels that she will race again. Though he admits that if she were a colt, she would retire now.

When asked when he suspected the injury was evident he replied, "How can you ever know? Sometimes you have horses that have some sort of injury and it never manifests or surfaces until they get into a race situation. No matter what you do training or how much galloping or breezing they do, there's a difference between running as fast as you can and not. But anytime you have a horse take a step like she did out of the gate in the Belmont, you always worry that somewhere down the road it can catch up with you."

Despite this injury and her inability to race in the Breeder's Cup in October, she is a virtual lock for Champion 3 year-old filly of the year. I think she should be the Eclipse Horse of the Year.

But whenever she received the injury, she's been sort of out of commission since the Belmont. She had two fevers, and her exercise rider, Lauren, pulled her up after a brief run recently because she felt "off." She was sent to the Bolton Center, but they could find absolutely nothing wrong with her, so she was put in the Gazelle Stakes.

I certainly hope this wonderful filly recovers well and doesn't drive herself too stir crazy while she's on stall rest! The following links post news about this Ashford Stud, the Kentucky division of Coolmore. Some of the movie Dreamer was filmed at this beautiful facility!
http://www.coolmore.com/stallions/america/
or
http://www.horse-races.net/library/farms06-ashford.htm
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashford_Stud
or
http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Graves/cem/GraveMattersAshford.html
or
http://www.coolmore.com/

Kentucky 2007: Claiborne's During!

Here is a photo of During, standing at stud at Claiborne Farms. He is very closely related to Violet. His dad is Cherokee Run who stands at stud at the Darley Stud. Cherokee Run is the 3/4ths brother of Violet's dad, Groomstick. They share the same dad, Runaway Groom, and then the same granddam on their mom's side -- Dame Francesca. During's dam is Blazing Saddle by Blade. Blade is a stud who is a Bold Ruler -- Nasrullah kid and who also has what Violet has -- the Nasrullah/Princequillo sires of sire/dam crosses that lots of horses related to Secretariat luckily have!
In these photos, you can see that During is all lazy on a cool Kentucky morning and he has to suffer the indignity of showing his racing tattoo on his upper lip! What a cutie pie!

His career record is 22: 6-3-4. He is the #2 Top Earner for his dad, right behind the filly Chilluki and right before Zanjero. At 3, he won the Swaps Stakes, Jerome Handicap, and Discovery Handicap, and took second in the Sir Barton Stakes. At 4, he won the San Fernando Breeders Stakes. So, he knows what it is to stand in the winners circles with his jockey, trainer and loving family. What a good boy. You can read about his sister, Chilukki, at the following link:
http://members.tripod.com/zetties/horseracing.html

Kentucky 2007: Claiborne's Eddington!

So, on the morning Barbie, Gummy and I visited Claiborne, we were in a group of nice ladies -- one lady who married into a Paris, Kentucky family and who had seen Secretariat at Claiborne Farms as a child and who was now bringing a friend for the tour, and two other ladies from Great Britain. We delighted in the lady's story about how territorial and powerful Secretariat was and we enjoyed the Breeding Shed.

Then our tour guide brought us to the Stallion Barn and showed us such important stalls! Bold Ruler and Round Table were born the same day and then as they stood at stud, they shared the same barn. We saw Secretariat's stall which Eddington now calls home. And then our tour guide brought out Eddington himself!! He strolled out all sweet and kind and beautiful and then when he was stood outside, it was like he had hit his mark on a stage. He got all puffy and posey and macho and sexy. He just preened like a peacock, looking all alert and powerful and vigilant. He was Stud Macho!!! You can see it in these photos! No wonder his 2007 breeding fee was $20,000! He is on his dad's Top 10 Runners by Lifetime earnings list in 9th place right behind Grindstone and Unbridled's Song.

So, Eddington was born on March 25, 2001 and his career record is 17: 6-3-6. He earned $1,216,760 on the track, and in 2004 took first in the Calder Derby, 2nd in the Pegasus Handicap, and 3rd in the Wood Memorial, Travers Stakes, Preakness Stakes, and Gotham Stakes. In 2005, he earned 1st in the Pimlico Special and Gulfstream Handicap, and 3rd in the Donn Handicap and Oaklawn Handicap. He was retired on 6/29/05 to stud duty at Claiborne after a soft tissue injury.

He has a dubious achievement as well -- his jockey, Jerry Bailey, is under a cloud. He rode Eddington at a furious pace in the Belmont Stakes and it is unclear whether he was purposefully trying to "use up" Eddington in order to rattle Smarty Jones and spoil his chance for the Triple Crown. We'll never know, but certainly Smarty Jones just blazed in that race, trying to beat the early speed of Eddington and Rock Hard Ten.

And talk about small world among thoroughbreds!! When he ran in the Belmont Stakes, he was beaten by Birdstone who won and whose grandpa is Unbridled!

Anyway, Eddington's dad is Unbridled and so he is related to Mr. Prospector, Buckpasser, and Dr. Fager. Through his mom, Fashion Star, he is related to Danzig and Secretariat. He even has, get this, a Blue Nola filly in his family tree! And, yes, of course, he is related to my girls, through many connections, but here are a few: Wild Risk, Wild Violet, Wood Violet, Count Fleet, Better Self, Bimelech, Princequillo, Nasrullah, Case Ace and Turn-To.

He is a beautiful stallion. I feel blessed to have seen him stand with pride and power.

Kentucky 2007: The Claiborne Breeding Shed!

Okay, so here it is! The Breeding Shed at Claiborne Farms -- our piece of American equine history! The motto of the good people who manage this place is "take care of the horses." And they care about being "practical and solid rather than fancy and showy." A.B. Hancock was from a pillar of equine society in Virginia, but he married into the Kentucky Clay family and began Claiborne Farms, the 2,764 acre facility that shapes our thoroughbred industry.

I will never be able to tell you how important this little black box of a place is! But here's some small statistics to give you an idea. Six of our 11 Triple Crown winners were conceived in this shed! Secretariat was a twinkle in his dad's eye in this shed. The following stallions served in this shed: Nasrullah, Princequillo, Abiorix, Double Jay, Round Table, Bold Ruler, Buckpasser, Forli, Herbager, Hoist the Flag, Secretariat, Nijinsky II, Danzig, and Mr. Prospector! I can't believe that I was standing in the room where Secretariat was made and where he later made Lady's Secret!

What confused me about the facility when we first arrived is that it was just so plain. I kept waiting for the tour guide to say, this is just the holding area, now we'll show you the deluxe shed we have. And the reason I felt that way was because Tom had taken us to a breeding at Hill 'n Dale farm and that place was just swank. The breeding shed was gorgeaus and they had this huge elegant viewing room above the breeding shed. Plus they had this really large area for the veterinarian and other staff and a large room for the washing of the mares and stallion. But Claiborne just has this shed and they use simple paper buckets to wash the horses.

And that's because of their generations of tradition. The shed is a private activity where superstars are conceived. I can hardly believe the great outcomes from such humble beginnings!

Kentucky 2007: Paris and Louie's!

Here are photos taken from my August trip to Paris. In the photo are Tom, Barbie, Montgomery, and Karrington. After our drive past Stoner Creek Stud Farm and Claiborne Farms, we stopped at Louie's restaurant for a great Southern-style lunch. It was fantastic. There are photos of famous horses, trainers, and jockeys hanging everywhere, and since the restaurant is just a stone's throw from Claiborne Farms, Secretariat is featured heavily. This is a local place where the hard-working horsey people come. In the morning, they can come for the Sire's Breakfast Special and you'll see the place filled with grooms, handlers, etc. This place is so famous that around Kentucky Derby time it becomes packed with famous people, including Keanue Reeves who stopped by. You can read more about my favorite Parisian restaurant at the following links:
http://www.louiesrestaurant.net/
or
http://www.courier-journal.com/html/derby2005/derbymag/louies_place.htm
or
http://www.parisky.com/restaurants.html
or
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=307

Kentucky 2007: Count Fleet's Stoner Creek Stud Farm!

When I visited Kentucky this past August, Tom took us for a drive through the Paris countryside to see different horse farms, and pastures filled with mares and foals, and fields filled with big beautiful yellowing tobacco leaves. As part of this beautiful afternoon drive, we passed Stoner Creek Stud Farm where Count Fleet lived and is now buried. This fabulous farm was once owned by John D. Hertz and his wife Fannie, but now has become a standardbred breeding operation of international fame.



You wouldn't believe how huge it is. We just drove and drove and drove along this Scottish stone wall and then took a left and drove and drove and drove until we came to these gates. It's an enormous gorgeaus facility. Someday I'd like to take a tour and visit Count Fleet to share a few words. You can read more about this farm at the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoner_Creek_Stud

Kentucky 2007: Silent Classic and My Girls!

Barbie and Tom take care of thoroughbreds who need special care, either for injuries or senior care, for example. And they also engage in rescuing thoroughbreds too. In this photo, you see Silent Classic, a very important mare who travelled from Florida to live at Valentine Hall Farm. She was born in 1986, the year I graduated from college. Her sire is Danzig by Northern Dancer and her dam is Sweetest Chant by Mr. Leader.

She was a winner at 2 and 3, and earned $78,100. She has 11 registered foals, 9 raced, and 6 are winners. Her children include A Man of Class, Classic Boom, Creative Control, Jamies Silent Bid, Lang Pup, One Special Lady, Song of Songs, Very Classy Lady, and the filly in this photo the 2005 Silent Western. Silent Classic has had children in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and then 2005. She's been a productive hard-working racer and mother. Of course, she's related to my girls, in many ways, but here are a few: Nearctic, Nearco, Turn-To, Hail to Reason, Eight Thirty, Man 'O War, Whisk Broom, Blenheim, Gay Crusader, and Teddy! Doesn't she look elegant standing all relaxed and royal in her pasture with her other gal pals?!

Kentucky 2007: Thoroughbreds at Valentine Hall Farm

Here are two photos taken at Valentine Hall Farm this August! In the first, is a snapshot of a foaling field where young baby thoroughbreds are hanging with their mommies! In the second photo are "rescue" thoroughbreds, thoroughbreds who Barbie and Tom found in dire circumstances -- one penned in a chicken coop, one in a dangerous junk yard with untended hooves -- you get the point. Anyway, these grand dames are resting and relaxing in a beautiful pasture in Paris, Kentucky. The fortunes of animals depend on the angels of our better natures.

Kentucky 2007: The Hunter Pony Sale at KHP!

Here are photos from the American Hunter Pony Classic Sale on August 15th at the Kentucky Horse Park. This sale was held in conjunction with the 2007 USEF Pony Finals! In the bottom photo, you see a pony who is related to the stud that is the sire of Hailee's foal. We watched the sale of a few ponies by Blue Who (Hailee's foal's sire) and Blue Rain, the sire of Blue Who. The ponies were selling in the $5,700 to $17,000 range with the lower priced one being a very young 2 year-old who is already 14.1 hands -- people were worried about that pony growing taller than the pony height of 14.2 hands. The higher priced ponies were those which were perfectly 3 to 7 years of age and comfortably below 14.2. We bred Hailee who is 14.2 and a 3/4s inch to a 11 hand pony, so we hope to get an athletic, powerful, graceful, agile medium pony with the best of the Welsh and the sweet coolness of Hailee!

Kentucky 2007: Plump Hailee!

Here's my sweet girl. When I first showed up, she wasn't that interested in greeting me. But after awhile, she remembered me and was willing to accept my love. Here she is looking happy and cute. We shared some private words and stories. Look at how she's battered that halter. She has a real passion about being free!! What a smart young girl!

Kentucky 2007: Hailee and Friends

Here are photos of Hailee with her temporary friends before she is released back with the pregnant girls in the back pasture. She is having a snack with Faith, her old pasturemate and friend from Showgate Stables. When they were young girls together, they used to stand face to face and rub their heads and teeth along each other's backs. They would hang out with Hope, Faith's mom.

In the photo below, she's enjoying an early foggy Friday morning after a relieving night of rain that broke the oppressive heat. They are all hanging their heads over the fenceline, hoping that Marty will give them a snack. They are looking for some food and love!

Kentucky 2007: Hailee and me!

Here is a photo that Barbie's eldest daughter, Montgomery, took! Didn't she do a terrific job!? I just love how she caught the glint of the sun off Hailee's brass name tag on her halter!

Kentucky 2007: Hailee is a Broodmare!

I visited Barbie, Tom and the girls August 15th-17th and had a great time. I'll be reporting over the next few weeks about this Kentucky visit. I went down to see the Hunter Pony Sales at the Kentucky Horse Park and also to see my own little broodmare!


Here's Hailee in her pasture looking plump and fit and sleek and happy. I can't believe how lucky I am!

My Beautiful Nieces at the Blackswamp Festival!

Here are my loveliest nieces! Elena brought them to visit on the Saturday of our BlackSwamp Festival. We went to the kids' section and Emma and Clara *loved* it! Emma enjoyed rocking out with a band named Wilson Lake and the Rock Bass singing songs about burned marshmallows, walking in the woods, the King of Speed (a guy who boats fast on the lake), etc. And Emma had a butterfly painted onto her face and made knocking sticks and her fabulous hat! Clara was a wild rocker, jumping up and down in her stroller and getting a balloon. It was a wonderful day!

Thank you for coming to Bowling Green, you dear girls and my dear little sister!