OH HAPPY DAY!! Defining Hope made the jump from a MSW to a Stakes race and looked like a pro the whole way. She and Malcolm Franklin drew from the 8th post and traveled 3 wide pushing Whistle Stop faster and faster. Defining Hope challenged Whistle Stop in the turn and dueled almost the entire stretch to draw off a little more than a length at the wire. See pics, article and race replay.
Calm and Collected
Hope was born on March 27, 2014 which also happens to be Point Given’s foaling date. I not only found the date to be auspicious, but she was a full sibling to the yearling colt I lost two weeks earlier in a barn fire. To me, she was my hope. She represented the cycle of rebirth, and was a sign that I was meant to continue on. From that day when I first saw her, I knew she was special. On the Point was so proud of her new filly, it’s as is she told her filly to stand and pose for me in her first official photo. The picture below was taken March 27, 2014. The other picture is one of my favorites of the two of us when Hope was a yearling. We share a special bond. So here’s to Hope and DEFINING HOPE!
Looking Proud and Regal
Like minds!
Uphold ( Gabe) has hit a growth spurt at 16.5 months and is weighing about 950 lbs these days. He is such a sweet and smart horse. He began his breaking and training today 9/19, with two of his buddies there at the farm. I believe the process will go smoothly for him. This year has flown by. It’s hard to believe that he is starting training already and even harder to believe that Defining Hope has started her racing career. See picture below taken on the 10th during our visit.
Strike a pose!
The day had finally arrived for Hope’s first race. Not only was it special because it was her first race, but this race happened to fall on my birthday as well. Prior to the race, my Mom and I visited Hope in her stall where we found her to be cool as a cucumber. When they saddled her in the paddock, she appeared to get nervous and reared up, but as soon as Malcolm was onboard, she calmed right down and acted respectfully in the post parade over to the gate. She was in race # 6 an Indiana sired and bred maiden race with a field of 12. She broke well from Post 9 and stalked 4 wide and dueled in the stretch before pulling away for a 5 length win. Let me tell you this, nothing compares to your horse winning on your birthday. What a bonus! Thank you Hope!
See the link below for the article on Margaux’s website and race replay. http://www.margauxfarm.com/articles/margaux-moment-of-the-month-2yo-starting-and-training-grad-wins-debut.html
Crossing the finish line
Race #6 Post Positions
Post Parade
She won!
Uphold ( Gabe) weighs 928 lbs and has finally lost his baby fur! He is a totally different horse now and so well behaved. He seems to really like his grooms. Dermot describes Uphold as an indepedent horse who is curious and not afraid of anything. He said he is an easy horse to handle. While we were visiting,Uphold’s groom unlatched his bridle and opened the stall door and Gabe walked in like he was a dog walking into his crate. I was taken a back and had never seen such a thing! He didn’t have to be led in. See picture below of Uphold and his groom at Margaux Farm
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Defining Hope is getting closer to starting her first race and has posted some really strong workouts. She will get her gate card soon. We are told that Hope enjoys running and that she is a true professional and athlete. Malcolm seems to really enjoy riding her and Hope really likes him.The two of them seem to have a certain synergy and bond. Below is a picture of Hope training on the track.
Breezing on Saturday morning
This year we attended TOBA’s Owner’s Seminar held before the Indiana Derby racing card. I learned alot and enjoyed talking to other Owner’s and TOBA members. Looking forward to touring the new World Class Equine Veterinary Hospital when it is completed. My filly, Defining Hope had shipped a month earlier to the the track so it was exciting to know that she would be racing soon at the track. Seminar participants had the privledge of watching the races from the 3rd flr Founders room. Awesome view!! Hats off to Cupid on winning the Indiana Derby!
Defining Hope shipped to Barbara McBride’s barn at Indiana Grand in mid June.Hope made the transition to track life amazingly well and just loves to run!
Her new track family consists of Barbara, Jason, who is Barbara’s son, Chile, who is her barn manager, Ryan is the hotwalker, Eduardo is her exercise rider, and Malcolm Franklin is Hope’s jockey. We are learning alot from them all as well and enjoy visiting Saturday mornings during workouts. Below is a picture of Hope on the backside. She has lost her belly from grazing in the pasture at Margaux.
Hope outside Barn 3- the McBride barn
Uphold shipped to Margaux and arrived in good shape and weighing 752 lbs. Seeing that Uphold needing some additional handling and socializing, Margaux focused on getting him use to relying on his handlers and less on his equine peers. Despite being a May 1st foal, he was equal in size to the other yearlings, but his fuzzy baby fur quickly gave him away.He is adjusting well. His half sibling sister, Defining Hope, is also at the farm and getting close to shipping to the track.
onthepointstable.com 