Barbaro Updates: 640
updates are now here.
Update 3791: A nice update on Nicanor's blog regarding his appearance during the weekend of Barbaro celebrations: Nicanor Included in Celebration of Barbaro Event.
Update 3790: A couple of updates from Penny at timwoolleyracing.com.
First a video, which is very cool: Working with the Woolley's Vol. 1.
Secondly an update on the weekend's events:
After a busy weekend Tim is beginning to recover. Who's Happy made the trip to Presque Isle and won very nicely. She came back and looked no worse for the trip. Vicar's Tune ran a great race at Colonial Downs. He was in against a couple of tough horses and just got nosed out for third place. He tries so hard. Upon his return he had a sore eye but no ulcer in it. Treating it for a couple of days really helped and he is fine this morning but still a bit tired. Rajasthan also ran a great race. He was battling it out down the lane when a horse flew by in the last few strides to win it. He did well for getting second. I stopped by to see him on Sunday and he was relaxed in his stall but was a bit grumpy! I wen't into his stall and gently held his halter while I gave him a smooch. I was sure to watch when I turned by back because as I said He was very grumpy.. We have tried to enter Saar Treaty in a long race on the turf at Colonial and the race did not go. Another race was picked out going five and a half but when Tim called about it there had been only two entries. I'm sure the race won't go! We will keep looking. Rose Campbell has returned to the track after her race and she seems fine. Truimphant has not missed a meal since his gelding and continues to demand all of the attention in the barn. Paris Night is training nicely after her break. She now lives in a corner stall and enjoys spending the day looking out of her huge window. Sweet Ginger Brown and King Congaree continue their quest towards the races and both are doing great. We did however take the mat away from Ginger that was in the front of her stall because she was keeping her neighbors up at night playing with it. We found the mat inside her stall in a heep. Mrs MVP was on the track this morning and she looks like she is filling out a bit. She is such a sweet girl and has done everything we've asked of her. Binkley is back to bounding on his friend who is not at all amused. The are such a treat to watch. Anyway, not a lot of racing going on this week. We have a new video of Woolley racing done by Mooney Myth Productions. As soon as we figure out how to put it up you all must watch it . It is a hoot!!
Update 3789: While some of this article I feel is not exactly accurate, the answer proposed for caring for our thoroughbreds in retirement is certainly necessary: Long Term Care - by Herb Moelis, excerpt:
To depend on voluntary individual donations would be futile.
There is a very logical and simple way to raise money for this purpose. When owners register their foals The Jockey Club requires a registration form to be filed with payment of $200. Why can't we add $50 to provide for care of the foal for life? This would be similar to a Social Security program for horses.
There are approximately 40,000 Thoroughbreds registered each year. At $50 each the total amount assessed annually would be $2 million. This would go a long way to providing a decent life for all Thoroughbreds after their racing careers. A Social Security system is the most feasible way to help, and The Jockey Club is the most logical agent for this project.
Update 3788: Seven sets this morning. One of our riders had the day off with all the workers we had yesterday that then had a day off today. Three of mine went to the gate for a little gate schooling. All went nicely. The track was busy again this morning, I am guessing with all the wet weather we have had that not many people are using the training track. All in all a pleasant morning's work at Woodbine.
Update 3787: A nice article about a recent save: Yourgie's Second Chance, excerpt:
Still, even the horse world is divided on the issue. Staunch opponents like Alex Brown of Alex Brown Racing, an online horse racing community, say it's a matter of accountability.
"The issue is that you can get a couple hundred dollars from the horse dealer for your horse and then it goes into the slaughter pipeline versus paying a couple hundred dollars to have it humanely euthanized," he says. "So there's probably like a 500-or 600-dollar swing at the end of the day when you talk about humanely euthanizing your horse and disposing of its carcass." But Brown adds that this shouldn't deter owners from euthanizing horses. "Do the right thing by your horse," he says. "Don't be an ass."
Please keep calling and writing.
For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action.
Great article Alex!
Posted by: Debbie L.A. at July 23, 2008 11:28 AM