Posterponies to welcome 2012 – Allyouneedislove and She’s A Queen

The posterpony for Christmas 2011

From foals to broodies and young horses in work #horseslearninghowtorace

A long overdue post/update of our horses – plenty has changed since September: including two new members to our little team -

Cooberpedy’s (cheeky) Starcraft colt

Shantreusse’s Starcraft filly –> she looks very much like her big brother Startreusse when he was a foal.

Last year only two out of our small band of five broodmares got in foal, thankfully the mares in general have been very kind to us this breeding season. With the exception of Artebella being tricky to get in foal (we finally received a 16 days +ve PG to Rothesay last week, much to our relief – still keeping fingers crossed) the other ladies kindly got in foal on their first cover this season.

We retired Elle after her second bone chip surgery. Despite showing ability in her work, being a robust-type had an impact on her soundness as a racehorse and unfortunately she had her fair share of leg problems. Interestingly enough, her fizzy nature disappeared once she was covered by Street Sense and wanted nothing more than to be a Mum. We’re happy she’s happy – I’m pretty sure everyone at the farm is happy too since she’s a gem to be around these days!

The other three broodies are 45 days +ve in foal: Pleasant Change (IFT Dane Shadow), Shantreusse (IFT Starcraft) and Cooberpedy (IFT Lope De Vega).

We are delighted to welcome two healthy foals this breeding season, over Spring Carnival the best two words I heard after each mare foaled: “all good.” Big relief!

Plenty of changes with our mares and even more with our young horses in work. I’m not meant to play favourites but it’s no secret She’s A Queen is pretty special to me –  it’s hard not to feel exceptionally attached after watching her take her first breath in 09:

Minutes after Cooberpedy foaled Queenie 

Queenie as a 2Yo – enjoying her spell, can’t see the dapples in her coat but they were out!  

It’s been a bit of a battle getting She’s A Queen (aka Queenie) into the stable. Physically she looks like an early-type but Queenie also has her quirks. Tim Boland and his team at Limitless Lodge have put in plenty of effort in pre-training and putting her on the aquaciser to take the fizzy edge off her and repetitively teach her some manners. Queenie’s always been bit spoilt (we swear it’s not our fault!) and since she was a weanling seemed to be the boss in the paddock.

Queenie and her paddock-mate (read: boss) Lovely

Things changed for her after being paired with 3YO Allyouneedislove (Lovely). Lovely’s divine with people, she is so honest in her work and always enjoys a good cuddle. With horses, she is completely oblivious to the fact she’s neat (aka small) and most likely smaller than the other fillies. So, when Queenie tried to get to the feed bin before Lovely (obviously ignoring the pecking-order), Queenie copped a haematoma on her chest from Lovely’s hoof. Queenie’s fine now, though when we visited her she was quiet as a lamb and even cuddly – very unlike the filly six months ago that required 45 minutes to be caught in the paddock!

Queenie’s attitude has changed a fair bit and to much joy, she made it into the stable for her first preparation a couple of weeks ago. She spelled well and when she first arrived to her new home, Queenie was a highly strung. Since then, she’s grown into a big athletic filly and though she still has a few “Queenie’s Quirks” moments, she’s adapting well and when I received a photo of her 2 weeks ago from Matthew Smith, I was absolutely elated to see her at trackwork:

I hoped to see her in work during my Spring trackwork visits at Warwick Farm, but Queenie needed more time in pre-training and we’re happy to have her progress at her own pace/within her comfort zone. Though it’s still a long way to go before getting Queenie to the races, it’s been quite a journey getting her into the stables – certainly has come a long way since watching her stand up for the first time!

We’ve always been patient with Allyouneedislove (Lovely) as she’s still a bit immature but so honest in her work – always tries, what more could we ask from her? In her last prep, I watched her in trackwork and she was most obliging in the barriers and this is an awesome photo of Lovely (inside) jumping out:

Lovely is back in pre training at the moment. Our little filly was set to trial last preparation and on trial day she had an elevated temperature, we decided to tip her out for a spell shortly after. On an optimistic note, she certainly kept Queenie in check during their spell!

Lovely 

Hometown Glory has had two preparations and we recently tipped her out for a 3 month spell. She was a bit nervous at the barriers initially, but she is obliging in her work and has nice long strides. Blogged earlier about her open knees as a yearling, recent x-rays show mild improvement but she’ll benefit from a lengthy spell to mature.

Hometown Glory – couldn’t get a better photo of her as it started bucketing down at WF shortly after 

Thunor (Flying Spur ex Tully Thunder) has recently been gelded. Being top-heavy his knees felt the pressure/weight and has come through the gelding sound and we’ll give him a couple of months off to mature as his physique shows he’s a late 3YO type.

Thunor 

I visited Zenny at Ballarat (trained by Andrew Payne) during Spring and she looked elated as always in her new home. She was out for a spell when I saw her in a very big paddock all to herself with a good view of the track. She’s always a pleasure to visit and her story is one I hold very close to my heart: Taking Zenny Home

Zenny and her view of Ballarat 

Pleasant Change’s 2yo God’s Own filly broke in well. Below is a pic of her (left) with Star Ripper – I yelled out to Tim and Matt “Ripper better not be teaching her his barrier antics!” (getting Ripper out of the barriers is still a work-in-progress in which his slow work has now become lead-pony work – earning his keep)

She arrived at Patrick Payne’s last week and has taken a few days to get settled into her new home. She was a bit nervous in her new surroundings upon arrival and being by God’s Own and out of a Zabeel mare, she’ll need plenty of time to mature. In work she has good action and is clean winded – which is a nice start.

God’s Own ex Pleasant Change filly 

Flying Pegasus ex Queen Dido filly is in work at Tony Noonan’s Perth stable, she’s been working over 1200m and hopefully isn’t too far off from trialling if all goes well.

Flying Pegasus ex Queen Dido filly

Newly named Agree With Me (Dylan Thomas ex My Wife’s Advice) came into work and from her first preparation has always shown a good/precocious attitude. In her recent prep she looked like she may be going through a growth spurt in which we’ve decided to tip her out for a spell to mature.

Agree With Me 

Allez Flash improved in his work this preparation. Likewise Agree With Me, he shows a precocious attitude and both 2YOs have been in/out most preps out of all our young horses. Flashy had his first jumpout and we thought he may be ready to trial this preparation but he pulled up shinsore after trackwork and is enjoying a 6 week spell at Limitless Lodge.

Allez Flash

I may be repeating this line “tip him/her out for a spell to mature” in this blogpost several times when writing about young horses – all part and parcel of (hopefully) getting them to race day. It certainly doesn’t happen overnight and the lengthy process makes the ‘good days’ at the races so much more fulfilling.

 

Day-to-day updates are often posted via Twitter: @inkmarksofsu 

Young Horses and All About Patience #horseslearninghowtorace

About a week ago during a Tweet-convo, I mentioned it’s vital for owners to understand the concept of patience with racing horses. Young horses in particular. I’m a firm believer that in selling a racehorse, it’s best to ‘sell the experience/journey and not the dream.’ We cannot stop people from having elevated expectations, but certainly do not endorse them as once a new owner feels the sting of disappointment, we will most likely never see them again as owners in this sport.

Speaking of patience and young horses, here’s a mini-update on some of our fillies going in/out of work in the stables for their education process:

3YO Allyouneedislove is back in work, she’s lengthened and appears more athletic in physique this preparation and has certainly spelled well at Limitless Lodge. She has a great attitude and I feel she still needs time to mature, very happy to give her all the time she needs to let us know when she’s ready to trial. Taking baby-steps with her and I much enjoy each visit as she has physically improved significantly, great to see her grow into her own skin.

2YO Hometown Glory (Churchill Downs ex Miss Josephine) named after the song by Adele has since gone out for a spell since I visited her at track work three weeks ago. Her sweet-nature (one may believe it’s because she has a lot of Danehill about her as pedigree and conformation suggests) has made her a big favourite with her trackwork rider and during her education process has displayed long strides in her action.

2YO Dylan Thomas ex My Wife’s Advice comes across as one of our more forward 2YOs as her attitude and work suggests – one can only hope (without any expectations) she may go early if soundness/ability permits her to do so. She’s back in for another short preparation and is due to be tipped out for another spell in a week. The filly has certainly strengthened and appears robust in each prep with a mature attitude in work.

2YO She’s A Queen is in pre-training at Limitless Lodge and will (if all goes well) begin her first preparation in two weeks time at the stables. Looking at the recent photo of her she’s put on condition during her spell and working on the aquaciser is calming the quirky filly in pre-training. The change of environment is doing her the world of good, looking forward to seeing her in trackwork. It’s an exciting feeling of anticipation as I watched her being foaled – the journey so far may appear short but two years watching her grow from her first breath with her little nostrils to a 2YO in pre-training: So Exciting!

2YO God’s Own ex Pleasant Change is being broken in at the moment before making her way down to Melbourne. Being out of a Zabeel mare and a big filly with a fair bit of scope about her, we’re happy to take our time with breaking her in. I saw her last Friday and she’s breaking in well, though a little bit annoyed she’s boxed in and not out in the paddock with her mates!

Each horse is different and matures at their own pace. It’s hard enough sometimes just getting them into the stables, let alone show up on race day – each win always perceived as a huge bonus. Many believe it’s vital to keep the dream alive, I believe the journey/experience keeps me hopeful and that’s more than enough to keep my passion for the Sport of Kings (read: Sport of Patience) very much alive.

Zenny in her new home #horseslearninghowtorace

The last time I saw Zenny  she was at the sales complex and like most horses in that environment – not particularly happy. Three months after, Zenny is well settled in her new home at Ballarat and all I can say is – She looks so happy and that makes me happy.

She’s been doing well in work and is coming to the end of her preparation. As mentioned in my first post about Zenny, she’s not perfect in conformation and we’re happy to wait till she’s physically developed to press on with her work. Zenny has a precocious attitude and it’s great to hear from her trainer, Andrew Payne that she wants to be a racehorse.

This morning she looked bright as a button and I think a picture says a thousand words – doesn’t Zenny look perky and chirpy this morning?

 

 

Update: Fillies Spelling #horseslearninghowtorace

Received a couple of photos of our fillies at Limitless Lodge:

She’s A Queen: Her first spell at Limitless Lodge, the lean and sometimes feisty filly is doing well in her new surroundings and made a full recovery from the float kicking-fiesta aftermath.

Dylan Thomas ex My Wife’s Advice: Spelled well and is due to return to work in a couple of weeks. She’s an athletic, early type and pleases in work.

Allyouneedislove: Improved and matured during her spell. She looks like a completely different horse from when I bought her at the Magic Millions last year. She has been in and out of work for plenty of education as she is a late maturing type, delighted she’s filled out nicely and has a good attitude in work.

Oh how they grow up so quickly #horseslearninghowtorace

It’s intriguing to watch homebred babies grow up and this fella (09 Red Ransom ex Shantreusse) started off as a foal that needed to be tube-fed on his first day because he wouldn’t latch on. We kid that he was just too lazy to feed himself and he knew everyone else would do it for him!

lil fella less than a day old and passed out after a good feed

As a foal he was goofy colt and often lost track of Shantreusse- busy looking around and what’s going on before scurrying to catch up with his mum at Princes Farm – foaled and raised.

And all grown up after being broken in as a yearling at Limitless Lodge.

Photos from trackwork at Warwick Farm via trainer Matthew Smith.

Well wishes of racing luck and wellness to his connections and stable. In my humble opinion, this sport (for me) is built on 100% hope/faith and 0% expectations. So we can only hope he will enjoy his racing career and show promise with much faith. After all, this is the Sport of Patience, not so much the Sport of Kings.

Birthday Wishes to All Horses

Best Wishes of Wellness, Success, Joy, Love and Racing Luck 

to

All Horses

Happy Birthday! 

Horses Learning How-To Race #horseracing

We came into 2011 pretty quiet with our horses in racing after selling most of the geldings and retiring Allez Wonder and Elle. A decision had been made to start fresh with a couple of yearlings, 3YO gelding Mr Gold recovering from tie-back surgery and late maturing 2YO Allyouneedislove.

Allyouneedislove (Lonhro ex Flying Mahal) just finished another prep at Matthew Smith’s stables, we’re taking our time with her as she needs time to mature and fill out. Her name is fitting to her nature as she’s the ultimate lovebug.

The rising 3yo filly has an obliging attitude and shown good action in trackwork. She enjoys the company of people around her, quite happy to have us hangout with her in her box though she’s not as obliging with other horses around her. Allyouneedislove often forgets she’s a bit smaller than the rest and still lets out a bite or kick when other horses get too close to her paddock bestie or human-friends. Too cute, huh?

She’s A Queen (09′ Charge Forward ex Cooberpedy) finished a second round of barrier education and was due to begin her first prep at Matthew Smith’s stable. Along her first road trip as a yearling to the stables, the feisty filly let out a kicking spree in the float and sustained a cut on her off fore fetlock. The joint needed to be flushed and as of Sunday she trotted up well at Randwick Equine post surgery and is healthy to travel out for a 4 week spell before a second try at a preparation. She’s racy and lovely to ride, just very big on personal space and a bit of princess!

There’s a reason why her nickname is ‘cheeky-pedy’ and once she put on a patience-testing act whereby it took 45minutes to catch her in the paddock After rounding up her friends first. She also tried to throw in a kick or two during the process of this little exercise. As the sheepish owner/breeder I’ve apologised on her behalf, though I partially blame her ‘hippie-mum’ Cooberpedy for being one of those mothers: letting her babies run wild and shall I say, ‘free spirited.’

Dylan Thomas ex My Wife’s Advice ’09 filly has been tipped out for a spell as they found an infection in her guttural pouch over a week ago. The infection has cleared up and she will return to Matthew Smith’s stable in 4 weeks. She’s an athletic filly that keeps her mind on the job during trackwork and was purchased by Matthew at the ’11 Magic Millions GC Yearling Sale in January.

Mr Gold (Encosta De Lago ex Coliape) for SC Khaw has resumed work at Bart Cummings’ stable after over 4 months off. The time off we feel is well suited for the 18HH rising 4YO gentle giant.

Zenny aka ’09 God’s Own ex Golden Zen filly has broken in well and is due to make a roadtrip to her new home to Andrew Payne’s stable at Ballarat. The cheeky hat stealing filly has a charismatic nature and I’m looking forward to racing her with the Paynes and their mates. Zenny holds a special place in my heart and though the circumstances at the sale were grim, I’m truly heartened by how the situation has panned out for all of us. As the experience and journey about the begin has started with all connections on the same page: love & patience for horses and passion for racing. Certainly something to look forward to! We’ve yet to name her but it seems fitting to find a name in honour of Allez Wonder.

We have a couple of yearlings that have recently been broken in:

Flying Spur ex Tully Thunder ‘09 colt purchased at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Matthew Smith for SC Khaw and partners.

Flying Pegasus ex Queen Dido ’09 filly purchased at the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale by Tony Noonan for partners and Suez Thoroughbreds.

Red Ransom ex Shantreusse ’09 colt purchased at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Inglis as Agent for Matthew Smith and SC Khaw.

Churchill Downs ex Miss Josephine ’09 filly (in her flashy winter coat) purchased at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Su-Ann Khaw for Suez Thoroughbreds.

As for the God’s Own ex Pleasant Change ’09 filly for SC Khaw, she’s yet to be broken in as being a God’s Own filly out of a Zabeel mare, she’s a late maturing type that will need plenty of time – in which we’re happy to give her all the time she needs. Once she’s broken in, she will head down to Patrick Payne’s stable.

Some say horseracing is “The Sport of Kings.” In my honest opinion, I believe it is “The Sport of Patience.”

All In a Name #horseracing

After watching Cooberpedy foal her 09 Charge Forward filly and being the first foaling experience for me, it only seemed fitting to retain the filly to race for sentimental reasons. People may say that you can’t or shouldn’t have sentiment in business and that may be applicable to most businesses. Horseracing, to me is enjoyable and driven by passion. Passion is intangible and it’s part of what we feel, as I’ve said before, the day I feel no sentiment or emotions in this sport it’s time to move on.

So what’s in a name? The 09 Charge Forward filly is out of Cooberpedy (Desert King ex Tears for Fears) – also known as the town Priscilla Queen of the Desert was filmed at. After two tries of songs from the soundtrack only available in 2012, we’ve decided to name her: She’s A Queen. 

She’s A Queen