Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin

I’ll never forget my first racetrack shopping trip. I was in high school and my trainer asked me if I wanted to go with her to Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, to test-drive the horses and help with the 11-hour drive. No brainer!

Of the no-telling-how-many horses we looked at, we came home with six that seemed to have a little extra sparkle. And even more fun than shopping was helping show them the ropes of a new career. There’s nothing more rewarding than heading out of the cross-country start box or spending a day in the hunt field with a horse that, just months before, you spotted on the backside of a small-town racetrack.

These days OTTB shopping is more streamlined than ever, with organizations in place around the country to connect ex-racers with new careers. Here are three that caught our eye this week.

Untitled

Photo via CANTER Mid-Atlantic.

One of the fun things about having a youngster is getting to install all their buttons exactly how you want them. Who doesn’t want a custom-built horse?

At only three years old with just two race starts under his belt, Mr. Prado (Fort PradoSwains Royalty, by Swain (IRE)) is a blank canvas with a world of possibility in front of him. He’s tall, dark and handsome, standing 16.3 hands and still growing. Look at that nice uphill build! His trainers say he’s “super quiet and a total gentleman” — come and get him!

Located in Charles Town, West Virginia.

View Mr. Prado on CANTER Mid-Atlantic.

winner7

Photo via New Vocations.

Winner’s Legacy (Midnight LuteVery Very, by Royal Academy) is a drop-dead gorgeous 6-year-old 16.1-hand mare who has a elegant topline and feminine features.

She has the swan neck to turn heads and when she learns to really carry herself, she will be a standout. She was a solid racehorse, finishing third or better in seven of 18 starts and earning over $86,000, and retired without any apparent injuries. Now she’s ready to excel in a new sport and she’s already got a head start on her off-the-track training.

Described as a supremely confident mare who thinks she owns the arena, she has also has been fairly unflappable on trail rides around the farm though she does get a bit antsy heading for home. “Winner” has a pretty, smooth trot and a canter that is coming together with work. She can be opinionated but goes well with a confident rider who calls the shots —  riders who embrace mare personalities will have a blast with her potential. Winner took to her first jumping experience like a natural and has the athleticism to go far.

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Winner’s Legacy on New Vocations.

21299047693_4a39d6ed43

Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds, Inc.

FLF Have Another Look (Graeme HallFirst Look, by Montbrook) is a 2011 model 15.3-hand gelding who became a Finger Lakes Finest project because he was too cute and sweet to resist!

With his deep caramel liver chestnut coat and athletic build, he’s as handsome as he is friendly — he loves snuggling and having his head held. He is now beginning work as a riding horse after a two-month vacation from the track and his trainers describe him as a very quick learner and eager to please: “Its hard to believe his first career was as a race horse considering how easily he steers, bends and accepts the leg!”

Between his adorable disposition and foxy little ears, he should wiggle into anyone’s heart pretty easily.

Located in Portland, New York.

View FLF Have Another Look on Finger Lakes Finest.