Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
This week’s edition of OTTB Wishlist is dedicated to Sir Rockstar, an off-track Thoroughbred who just completed Badminton at age 18 with his owner and rider Libby Head.
Long before he was a four-star horse, or an event horse at all, he was a racehorse by the name of Sir Rock. Bred in Kentucky by Rockamundo out of How Unusual by Great Sun, he had 16 starts and finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd once apiece for a total of $12,016 earnings.
He came off the track when he was four, his last race being in May of 2002, and after getting eliminated at his first Novice event a year later he pretty much sat around in a field until 2008, when he was purchased young rider Libby Head. The rest, as they say, was history.
Take a chance on an OTTB and who knows where you could end up! Here are three that caught our eye this week.
Photo via CANTER California.
Now You’re It (Run Away and Hide – See Alice, by Distorted Humor) is a California-bred 16-hand OTTB gelding with a California attitude.
He goes in a rubber snaffle and is happy to hack around on the buckle, with great brakes and absolutely no buck, bolt or spook. He’s been started in a retaining program and his riders say his fantastic mind makes him suitable for anyone — he’s easy to ride and work around and has gone in both English and western tack. He walks over poles great and shows interest in them, and has even popped over a couple small cross-rails. The accolades go on: leads, ties and bathes great, works well in a busy environment, could go in any direction, overall just a very nice, sweet, easy prospect. Come and get him!
View Now You’re It on CANTER California.
Photo via New Vocations.
Sharp Miss (Sharp Humor – The Classicshopper, by Regal Classic) is a forward-thinking, forward-moving 15.2-hand mare who is all business under saddle.
At four years old “Missy” has the whole world in front of her. Her trainers say she anticipates what you are going to ask her to do but responds well to being given direction. No lack of power here, and her great work ethic pairs well with her good brain. She just raced in mid-February so she still has that racing body shape which will change once she completely lets down. It took Missy 11 starts before she broke her maiden, so she was retired due to lack of competitiveness with no apparent injuries making her suitable for any discipline.
Missy’s trainers say she always has a pleasant expression on her face as you go to greet her and is a very sweet mare to work with. She tolerates being groomed, but loves the time she gets to spend with her person during the grooming session. She has no vices. Missy is just an easy mare to be around and to have in the barn, and now she’s ready to tackle a new career.
Located in Marysville, Ohio.
View Sharp Miss on New Vocations.
Photo via CANTER Kentucky.
Better By Far (Shaniko – Almanac, by Known Fact) is a gorgeous 2010, 16-hand mare who turns heads everywhere she goes.
Her impressive bloodlines include A.P Indy, Secretariat, Dixieland Band and Seattle Slew on her dam and sire’s side. She is well put together with no previous injuries. She is lightly raced (only 19 times to date) and is being retired because she is not competitive on the race track but could easily transition to a variety of disciplines with some additional training.
Better By Far is described as having a sweet disposition with no vices. She loves attention, is an easy keeper and would make for a lovely sport horse or broodmare prospect.
Located at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky.
