One of the most fun things about OTTB shopping is stalking a prospective horse’s past. You get to play the role of detective, gathering information ranging from standard pedigree and race record to videos, news stories and even stinking adorable baby photos.
But what does all that info about the past mean for an OTTB’s future? Carleigh Fedorka, a Lexington-based eventer and RPP Thoroughbred Makeover dressage winner, tackled the subject in a recent post on her blog A Yankee in Paris.
“Do any of these things that we use to assess our thoroughbreds potential abilities really matter?,” she writes. “When we look at their race records — does running three times really mean that the horse is lazy? And running 85 mean that they are hot? Does never breaking a maiden mean that they are less athletic? Or is a graded stakes winner more likely to get to Rolex?”
Ultimately, she concludes, while it’s all good and interesting background information to have on file, you can’t “judge a book by its cover … or its record.”
While it is good and all to study race records, and learn pedigrees, and observe conformation and movement, maybe the most important aspect of horse training, and horse ownership is much simpler,” she writes. “Maybe all we need to do is to take each animal that we encounter as an individual. As its own being.”
Well said, Carleigh! You can read the full blog post here.
This week’s batch of three hand-picked Thoroughbreds run the gamut of experience, from big-name bloodlines and “war horse” status to never-raced. One thing they do share in common: They’re all ready to begin a second career. Could it be with you?
Photo via CANTER California.
Deckacards (Decarchy – Run Kaitlyn Run, by Rio’s Lark) is a 7-year-old gelding, standing just under 16 hands, who is as athletic as they come. With over $100,000 in earnings in 52 starts, this warhorse retires sound and with no injuries to report.
“Deck” is described as an easy-going horse who is a breeze to work with, always well-behaved and willing to give his all. He is a turf lover and has an awesome gallop — bring on the cross country!— and his class conformation and floaty movement will go far in the dressage.
This guy comes from a reputable trainer and a really great owner who bred him from one of her best mares and has owned him for his entire career. Her number one concern for this horse is to retire him while he’s still in excellent health to give him the best shot at a second career! She wants what’s best for her boy and will entertain any offer to an excellent, non-racing home.
Located in Northern California.
View Deckacards on CANTER California.
Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.
Unlike our first horse, Wildwood Flower ’09 (Bernadini – Wildwood Flower, by Langfuhr) never quite made it to the starting gate.
This winsome 16-hand 2009 gelding has all the right ingredients to make a perfect training project: unraced, injury free, well-built, even-tempered, willing attitude, good movement, capable jump. What’s not to like?
“Woody” has been lolling in a field in recent years, hence his portly physique at present, but put him in a program and give him the skill sets and confidence he needs and this affable horse could make a worthy athlete.
Located in Lexington, Kentucky.
View Wildwood Flower ’09 on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.
Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.
Say “ciao” to Zuppa di Letto (Alphabet Soup – Bed Pro, by Polish Pro), a stunner of a 2012 15.3-hand chestnut mare.
This beautiful New York bred girl’s name means “alphabet soup” in Italian and she is indeed a daughter of champion Alphabet Soup! He is well known as a sport horse sire, and there are lots of great jumping bloodlines in this pedigree.
After only seven races without hitting the board, it is clear that racing is just not Zuppa di Letto’s game but she certainly has unlimited potential for other careers. She is described as sound, clean-legged with no issues, and an easy horse to handle who is great to ride. Her connections think she is a great prospect for any new discipline.
View Zuppa di Letto on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.
Go OTTBs. Go Eventing!
