Writing this OTTB Wishlist each week is a tough enough test of my willpower. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to work at the track! Take it from eventer/exercise rider Logan Bearden:
Phew — good luck with that, Logan! Here are three OTTBs we wouldn’t mind taking home with us today.
Photo via Finger Lakes Finest.
Whats Up Big Guy (Macho Uno – Lady Prantlack, by Royal Academy) is a 2011 16.2-hand gelding that commands attention wherever he goes.
This beefy, gorgeous, dappled grey has excellent connections who really “know” their horses and their potential, develop rapport with their charges and take excellent care of them. Walking down their shed row is like being a kid in a candy store, each stall containing a shiny, muscled, full-bodied inhabitant. They are offering this handsome boy reluctantly because they truly adore him, but they have an active breeding and racing operation and can’t justify keeping a young, sound, talented horse as a pet.
He has been lightly raced with 17 lifetime starts and four in the money finishes. Bred in Kentucky, he was a $70,000 yearling purchase and perhaps could have lit up the tote board more than he has but, according to his trainer, he dislikes going to the track. Done deal. He’s communicating and they are listening.
Macho Uno get are great jumpers and performance horses at high levels of competition and this guy has all the hallmarks of an exciting sporthorse off the track. He is described as sound and Finger Lakes Finest noted that he has beautiful, well-balanced conformation and a jog that floats with push from the shoulder, even having run just a couple days before they saw him. He has been turned out on the farm and is a sweetheart with other horses. If he has a ding, it is that he is food aggressive and wants to eat his meals alone and in peace!
How cool would it be to walk into the barn everyday and see this beauty’s face: “What’s up, big guy?”
View Whats Up Big Guy on Finger Lakes Finest.
Photo via New Vocations.
In Place (Out of Place – Miss Alex, by Wild Again) is a 16.1-hand 2008 gelding described as a fun-loving OTTB who is a pleasure to be around.
Bred in Virginia, “Todd” retired from racing in March 2016 after six years and 42 starts. He finished his career without any known injuries and is a well put-together guy who displays lovely movement for a horse so fresh off the track. He has a ground covering trot and a smooth, well balanced canter.
His trainers at New Vocations have taken their time transitioning Todd into his new role as a riding horse and have been pleased with his progress. He is working on building up strength for ring work but he has a wonderful work ethic and enjoys learning new things. He understands how to move off of the leg and has been happy to ride inside or out. They feel he will be best suited for an experienced rider to further his training in any discipline — especially, considering his build and way of going, eventing.
Todd is very laid back on the ground and easy to handle. He is currently turned out with two other geldings and is great buddy, bonding closely with his friends without getting overly attached. He stands well for the farrier and loves to be groomed and fussed over. Todd will be a great partner for a rider that will patiently pursue his next career.
Located in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.
View In Place on New Vocations.
Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.
Haxby Park (Exceed And Excel (AUS) – Hashimiya, by Gone West) is the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center’s newest “Legacy Horse” category listing, meaning he possesses the unique combination of conformation, athletic ability, brains and superb presence to be a top-tier sporthorse prospect.
A year ago in April when this spectacular 16.3-hand 2012 gelding got off the trailer, collective jaws dropped. He was beautifully muscled and staggeringly athletic, with good looks and an aura of a leading box-office movie star. But he was newly gelded, right off the track, and needed time to rest and grow up. It was decided therefore to give this special horse a full year to come into his own, and they found him a wonderful foster home.
Now four years old, Haxby Park has returned to the MMSC to pursue a new career. This horse has smarts, scope, movement and talent to go far and to do great things. All he needs now is a steady training program so he can develop his skills and his body and hone his already very sharp mind. They call him“Mark” in honor of the Center’s founding sponsor — he is truly the “Maker’s Mark” of the Secretariat Center.
