Defining Hope Training Update

Posted on February 20, 2016 by onthepointstable

Hope has been at Margaux Farm for 4 months now. Her breaking went well and her training is progressing nicely. She has been jogging and galloping 6 furlongs and is on night turn out. She is a little excitable when the rider first gets on her, but is learning to settle. I plan to visit next week to see her progress.

The trainer describes her as an honest, genuine filly who likes to please. He says she is independent, and intelligent, but not stubborn. She likes to learn her lessons completely before learning new things. They plan to start gate training 2x/wk this next week. Pictures below taken last month.

Hope at Margaux

Hope in her condo at Margaux Farm

On The Point in foal

Posted on February 20, 2016 by onthepointstable

Doc called Weds 2/17 to let me know that On The Point was in foal to Strong Hope with a foaling date of 1/6/2017! I guess the weather and mother nature worked in her favor this year. I’m so pleased the breeding went well.On The Point was born to be a broodmare.

Uphold- 10 months old

Posted on February 20, 2016 by onthepointstable

We visited Uphold ( Gabe) and couldn’t believe how much he had grown in the course of two months.Seeing Uphold out in the paddock with his posse, he truly is a sociable fellow. Wherever he goes, the others follow. However,he still likes to toy with you when you go to reach for him. He appears to look as if he will let you touch him and then pulls away at the last second. I’m looking forward to getting him down to Margaux Farm so he can be prepped for the fall sales. He is a handsome fellow if you can look beyond the mud!

Gabe and Friends

Covered in Mud!

Link

The Thoroughbred Racing Retirement Community lost a true great last month and one of the toughest professional racehorses of the 1980’s. So tough was he that he lived to be the ripe old age of 32.

So Gulch is On The Point’s great grandfather and Defining Hope’s 2x great grandfather and for this I have the utmost pride.

Not only did Gulch produce Thunder Gulch, winner of the 1995 Kentucky Derby and Belmont, but Thunder went on to produce 2001 Horse of the Year, Point Given, who I believe, will in turn produce a great horse through his daughters.Yes, while the breeding of two individuals isn’t an exact science, it is a science, nonetheless. Genetics absolutely fascinates me! Rest in peace Gulch. See link to article below.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/97190/champion-sprinter-gulch-euthanized-at-age-32

December- On The Point Under Lights

Posted on February 20, 2016 by onthepointstable

On The Point is under lights with the hope of being bred early in 2016. The milder temps this winter might be a benefit to her and allow her to cycle early. She was given a year off in 2015 due to a late foaling date and will be bred back to Strong Hope, sire of Defining Hope.

October 2015- Defining Hope to Margaux Farm

Posted on February 20, 2016 by onthepointstable

Defining Hope headed to Margaux Farm in Kentucky for her breaking and training. She is adjusting well and is on night turn out with a few fillies. She is described as independent and is gaining more confidence in herself and in those who work with her.

The Breeders’ Cup- 2015

Posted on February 20, 2016 by onthepointstable

I was so thrilled to be able to attend my first Breeders’ Cup last Fall at Keeneland. It was not only historic in the sense that it had never been hosted by Keeneland, but it marked Pharoah’s final racing send off. It was a day where Pharoah once again carved out a piece of history for himself.

The excitement for the Breeders’ Cup Classic race was electrifying with everyone jockeying for a position to either see Pharoah up close during his parade over to the track or to catch a glimpse of him from the many television screens about.

Being only 5’2” myself, I opted to watch from a screen as I would have surely only seen the back of someones head and shoulders!

Our weekend trip to the Breeders’ Cup included a tour of Maker’s Mark distillery. It was not only educational, but fascinating to learn about their bourbon making process. Included below are some pictures from the weekend. All in all, the weekend exceeded my expectations and kudos to Keeneland and the City of Lexington for pulling out the red carpet. I do hope Keeneland becomes a host regular venue for the Breeders’ Cup.

The talented Tepin

Breeders’ Cup Welcome

Makers Mark

Makers Mark- barrel storage