I know it’s been awhile since the last posting, but I wanted to provide an update. Just as 2023 was a busy year for On The Point Stable, 2024 has shaped up to be quite the opposite, and has been a year that invited a pause. It seemed that all of the horses were in various stages of growth, recovery or rest, but all are in good health and doing well.
As many in the industry know, January through May is breeding season, and I was in the midst of deciding on a breeding for Defining Hope and On The Point. I reached out to Cecil and Sally Seaman and they recommended the 2024 breeding for Defining Hope to Elite Power. I have always been a fan of Curlin, so it seemed fitting to go to a 2x Champion Breeders Cup and Eclipse winning son of Curlin. Defining Hope is currently in foal to him and doing well. I’m excited to see what this breeding produces!
As final breeding decisions were wrapped up, Defining Hope gave birth to a colt on March 30th, 2024, a full sibling to G1 Ashland winner Defining Purpose. We have named him Strong Dude, in response to comments we had received about his personality while also paying a tribute to the late grand sire Strong Hope. He is developing nicely. Defining Hope and Strong Dude are currently at Richie Donworth’s Scarteen Stud.
Our foundation mare, On The Point is 17 years old and sadly was not able to get in foal this year. I suspect the stress of traveling to the breeding shed may have played a role, but we will regroup and determine the best way forward. She has blessed me in so many ways, so retirement may be in her not too distant future.
As March and April started to pick up, we were excited for Defining Joy, a half-sister to MGSW Defining Purpose and a 3 yr. old filly out of Runhappy, to make her debut. Defining Joy trained and made her debut at Oaklawn on March 30th. As she was gaining momentum on the turn, she was pulled up. The jockey, Emmanuel Esquivel stated that he had heard something not quite right from her and figured it was better to be safe than sorry. We are grateful to have jockeys like Emmanuel to protect our horses and we understand that health always comes first, for both human and equine.
Joy continued to train for a couple weeks and was entered into another race on April 20th. She placed 3rd and we were very proud of her. However, as the Oaklawn meet was coming to an end, it was determined that she could benefit from some time off over the summer. She recently started back in training this month and is at Saratoga, galloping and feeling much better.
That brings us to the next update on our next trainee, Bold Prayer. Bold Prayer is a 2 yr. old Indiana sired filly out of On The Point and Prayer for Relief. She spent about 6 weeks at the track at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Tony Granitz’s barn. When it was determined that she had some more growing to do, she was sent back to Dermot Littlefield’s Fernhill Stable where she was broke and started. She will be evaluated later this month and could begin training again this fall.
As for an honorable mention on Uphold, a 9 yr. old gelding out of On The Point and Lentenor, his retirement has been filled with many treats and many hours of rolling in the mud. In March this year, Uphold and his owner Nik participated in a walk trot dressage test where he tested his responsiveness and relaxation. We got to attend and witness the test. He was a little nervous. However, both Nik and Uphold handled the new surroundings and test with professionalism.
Lastly, we have been keeping tabs on the growth of Our Shared Hope. She is an Indiana sired filly out of Defining Hope and Csaba. She is also at Dermot’s stable and will begin breaking and starting October 1st. Dermot has experience with the family and has done phenomenal breaking and starting with Defining Hope, Uphold, Bold Prayer and now Our Shared Hope.
So all in all it’s been a crazy back and forth year with each of these horses. But it’s all part of the journey. Hopefully I will be able to provide more updates during the fall and more insights as to where On The Point Stable will be heading in 2025.
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