Brooke Massie and Serendipity at Millbrook H.T. 2019. Photo by Abby Powell.
Size doesn’t matter when your horse is full of heart — just ask Brooke Massie, who just completed her first Advanced H.T. aboard her own Serendipity (Vibank – Gail’s Gal, by Naskra) a 2009 Ontario-bred mare who is only 15.1-hands tall.
Brooke purchased “Scarlet”, who raced under the Jockey Club name Sister Gail, from a neighbor who had gotten the mare from Second Start Thoroughbreds in Quebec. Scarlet made 13 career starts at Woodbine and Fort Erie racetracks and earned a little over $35,000 before being retired and rehomed. Brooke’s neighbor tells her that she purchased the mare off a picture and a pretty face, but due to her spiciness she lasted less than a week before landing with Brooke.
Who knew a little Thoroughbred mare down the street would eventually be an Advanced mount? Serendipitous indeed.
“She’s all heart and has the best personality, she will do anything to please,” said Brooke. “There really is no better breed than a Thoroughbred!”
The horses we are featuring this week may be small, but they are mighty. Looking for your own pint-sized powerhouse? In honor of Serendipity, here are three currently available OTTBs all under 16.0-hands:
Absolute Paradise. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.
Absolute Paradise (ANY GIVEN SATURDAY – GENTLE GRACE, BY WOODMAN): 2010 15.2-hand New York-bred mare
A well built mare with a great attitude, Absolute Paradise lives up to her name in so many ways. This ten-year-old spent seven season at the track and has made 84 career starts banking $208,311 in lifetime earnings. “Kiwi” comes off the track with a good work ethic and no vices or known injuries. As she adjusts to a slower lifestyle, she is showing that she is a kind, quiet to handle horse who is aims to please. Kiwi is sensitive to the aids and needs an experienced rider to help restart her as a riding horse, but shows an eagerness to learn and will surely gain confidence as she goes along. She gets along well with other and enjoys hacking out in a group.
Located in Xenia, Ohio.
View Absolute Paradise on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.
Bustin Trudeau. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.
Bustin Trudeau (BUSTIN STONES – ARCTIC OCEAN, BY CONCORD POINT): 2017 15.0-hand New York-bred gelding
Here’s a youngster that’s just not showing enough potential to make it as a racehorse, so remains unraced. This two-year-old is still growing, but it likely to remain under 16.0-hands. He’s currently got a bit of a Quarter Horse look going one, but it might just be the way he’s standing in the picture and he’s likely to grow to be a little more uphill as well. Bustin Trudeau has a compact yet strong build that could be a desirable conformation once he grows into himself a bit more. As young one, he is still learning his manners, but will certainly improve with some time to mature and some consistent handling. Additionally, he has published workouts from June so he’s eligible for the 2020 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover. And how can his name not give you a laugh?
Located in Farmington, New York.
View Bustin Trudeau on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.
Lady Gritt. Photo via CANTER MN.
Lady Gritt (WORLD RENOWNED – BRANDI BRAZEAU, BY SILIC (FR)): 2016 15.3-hand California-bred mare
This little lady is absolute sweetheart and the CANTER volunteer who saw her really wanted to take her home herself! She’s the kind of mare that will give her person her whole heart. Lady Gritt is retiring sound but slow after only 3 career starts as a racehorse, but other horses that have come from this trainer have gone on to make excellent event horses. She has A.P. Indy on her sire’s side, plus French and Irish breeding on her dam’s. Lady Gritt is ready to find her person and learn something new!
Located in Minnesota.
