New Foals, New Silks & A New Day at the Races for UR Stable

As a hands-on horse owner and manager, my time has been fully occupied this year in the stable yard, especially assisting mares with the delivery of their new foals. We were blessed with a perfect season; 15 foals due--now, 15 live, healthy mares and babies. In retrospect, I should have been blogging on those sleepless nights. I received many emails this winter and spring with the heading, “Where are you?!?!?”. So to recap this exciting time, the foaling barn opened with a double header on February 2nd and came to close with the same on April 30th. Interestingly, both mares in each case are the very best of friends--a great example of how horses’ emotions are strongly connected to their physiological state. Altogether, the 2010 crop consists of 9 spectacular fillies and 6 outstanding colts; sired by Wild Desert (12), Big Brown (1), Aragorn (IRE) (1), and Suave (1), respectively. Each baby has a distinct personality, incredible racing conformation, and a bright NY-Bred future!

On Saturday, May 8th, jockey Rosemary Homeister debuted UR new silks at beautiful Belmont Park. We were blessed with pristine weather and several of UR partners on location. The collective energy was really thrilling, and seeing our horse go off the favorite had us on the edges of our seats.

Desenfrenado came into the 4th race well shod, fit, and focused. He warmed-up well, and stood like a seasoned performer when the horse next to him bolted from the starting gate before the race. Rosemary gave our boy an excellent ride and most importantly, kept him out of trouble, despite a few hard bumps from the eventual winner. We finished 3rd in the mile and 1/16th race, and galloped out on top. Had the distance been a little longer we knew he would have taken the purse -- next time! To learn more about why Rosemary is our favorite rider, visit her at http://www.jockeyrose.com/.

Earlier in the day, we enjoyed a winning connection when Bridge To Nowhere crossed the wire ahead of the rest in the first race. He is out of our beloved mare, Motel Malibu, who had a huge, solid filly by Wild Desert in February at Unbridled Stable.

Belmont Park is a jewel on the NY Racing Circuit -- do yourself a favor and make a trip to the track established in 1905 -- or win a trip! We spent most of Saturday on the ground level patio overlooking the paddock, studying the physiques of thoroughbreds and watching handlers and the myriad of last minute preparations in an effort to finish first. To the observant fan, this is a great place of education, given the living, side-by-side comparisons. To watch the races, monitors and seats are everywhere, and the same goes for wagering windows. An added bonus to the handicapper or owner looking to make a claim, or simply follow a horse into its next race, horses visibly exit the same way as they enter.

Unfortunately, as I write, the cold weather has returned! Brrrrrrr…. Stay warm my friends. Till next time, Susan.