Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Those Grey November Days

I’ve always considered November to be the greyest month of the year. It’s colder out, it’s darker out, it always seems to be cloudy, and the blazing yellow and orange of autumn leaves have faded — it’s just dreary. Thankfully, a visit to the barn to see my horse instantly brightens up my day without fail. (Even if it is dark out at 4:30 p.m., ugh.)

You know what does look great in grey though? (I think you can guess where I’m going with this!) This week we’ve picked out three cloudy-colored prospects who, if you bring one home, are sure to brighten up your barn even on the darkest of late-fall days.

My Italian Rule (Road Ruler – My Italian Rose, by Solar City): 2011 16.0-hand Illinois bred mare

Doesn’t every grey-lover wish for a horse who stays dark and dappled? This six-year-old girl’s color is reminiscent of an impending thundercloud and isn’t showing any signs of lightening up! She’s also a real athlete, running in 47 starts and earning almost $100,000 on the track. After four seasons of racing, she’s not as competitive as she once was so her trainer is ready to find her a second career to shine in again which shouldn’t be too difficult — her pedigree traces back to several good sport horse lines.

View My Italian Rule on Finger Lakes Finest.

Bully Song (Unbridled’s Song – Teton National, by Forestry): 2009 15.3-hand Kentucky bred gelding

Something about the look of this horse just oozes class. Maybe it’s his proud posture? His swoon-worthy dapples? Or his noble face? Whatever it is, he has also been a real winner on the track with $134,000 earned in 39 starts. Despite his success, “Bully” is ready to retire soundly from the track and start his new career. His trainer reports that he has no vices and is a favorite to handle as he’s polite and pleasant.

View Bully Song on CANTER PA.

Get Ready Freddie (More Than Ready – Tazmon, by Maria’s Mon): 2014 16.1-hand New York bred gelding

Even with a well-known trainer such as Todd Pletcher, some horses just don’t wanna run. Freddie is one of those horses, having shown no promise as a racehorse after two starts. However, this young gelding has already been restarted under saddle and despite banal performances on the track, is showing a good aptitude as a riding horse. Unfortunately he is a cribber, but if you can look past that vice you’ll find forward, level-headed, and quick-learning partner.

View Get Ready Freddie on New Vocations.