An Update On the Girls

Posted on July 4, 2020 by onthepointstable

I can’t believe Defining Hope and On The Point’s fillies are already 4 months old! Thanks to COVID, many a horse owner was in the same boat, separated from the horses that they love. Margaux Farm did a great job updating us on the horse’s progress and growth. Though, it sure was great to finally seem them in person- Nothing like it in the world!

Defining Hope’s Cross Traffic filly is very athletic looking while On The Point’s Wicked Strong filly looks like a two turn filly all day long.

The yearling filly, Everything’s Rosy, out of Blueskiesnrainbows, just went through a huge growth spurt this last month. She looks like a 2 yr old for sure. Let’s just get all of that growing out of the way early I say!

Defining Hope is in foal to Runhappy. On the Point will take this year off. Both mares are doing well.

See pictures of the horses below.

Defining Hope x Cross Traffic Filly

Hope’s filly – June 2020

Everything’s Rosy- June 2020

Visiting Defining Hope and On The Point

Posted on March 24, 2019 by onthepointstable

As thoroughbred breeders, I know we share the same wonder, as a collective, as we watch our mares care for their new babies. And with each Spring, comes a new hope along with a new foal crop. It is so rewarding for me to see my mares produce what I have imagined in my mind and through my study of pedigrees.

I had the opportunity to get my “foal fix” when we visited them recently in Lexington. Both Defining Hope and On The Point have been bred and are awaiting to be declared in foal, and both mares and their foals are hanging out in the same paddock. It was a neat experience for me to have all four of them together in the same place. Below is a short video of my recent visit.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NjvjhNhmX6symoKc8

Wintering in Tampa

Posted on February 19, 2019 by onthepointstable

Gabe ( Uphold) is wintering in Tampa this year. I had the chance to see him at the end of the year just before the New Year’s holiday. He looked happy, well adjusted, and definitely more muscled. He seemed to have taken a liking to Tampa’s track and weather, all of it,except the black birds! Hey Bud, it’s either pigeons at Churchill or blackbirds at Tampa. Take your pick!

He’s made his first start on turf and continues to learn a lot every time he hits the track. I’m so proud of how he is progressing. Now that Gabe has a half sister born 2-11-19, and a nephew ( Defining Hope’s colt) born the same day, he really needs to kick into gear and show these youngsters how it’s done!

On The Point Update

Posted on January 14, 2018 by onthepointstable

Weathering the ups and downs is just the nature of the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry and just like everyone else, I’ve had my share over the past 8 years.

I learned the day after Thanksgiving that On The Point lost her To Honor & Serve foal. However, I am grateful that I still have her since a late term pregnancy loss can be extremely dangerous for a mare.

On the Point is booked to Blueskiesnrainbows this Spring. He’s well- bred and was a talented racehorse.

So I propose a toast to do-overs and to yet another Indiana sired and bred in 2019.

Cheers!

Defining Hope Update- Sept 28, 2017

Posted on September 29, 2017 by onthepointstable

After finishing 4th in a race in early August, I decided that Hope should have some time off. She went back to Margaux Farm in Midway, Kentucky. During her R & R, a few nagging physical issues were discovered and addressed. Defining Hope is now in light training at Margaux and continues to improve physically and mentally. It remains to be seen if she will race anymore this year, but the focus is health and happiness.

In Memoriam-Strong Hope- 2000-2017

Posted on September 29, 2017 by onthepointstable

There are horses and then there are REAL horses.Strong Hope was a REAL horse. Not only was he accomplished on the track, but his conformation was utter perfection. He sold at auction for 1.7 million as a yearling, so it stands to reason that the Melnyk’s liked what they saw in the yearling colt.

Upon his retirement, he stood at stud at Claiborne. It’s a known fact that the thoroughbred breeding industry is hard on it’s stallions by expecting so much from them. So many of them fail to get well bred mares and so step off behind the gate.I believe such was the case with my favorite stallion Strong Hope.

It is my hope that my filly, Defining Hope, can help redeem his contribution to the Indiana breeding program. In my opinion, he was by far the best quality stallion standing at stud in Indiana and I simply ran out of time trying to prove it.

I am grateful to have gotten two offspring from Strong Hope. Rest in peace dear one. You are now free to enjoy all the baby carrots you want!

Picture taken of Strong Hope in Aug 2017

Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Fillies Stakes

Posted on June 27, 2017 by onthepointstable

It wasn’t meant to be for Defining Hope on June 21st in the Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Filly Stakes at Indiana Grand, but she gave a galliant effort. She settled patiently mid pack on the backstretch until it was time to make her move in the turn as she challenged Bar Rag and Whistle Stop for the lead with Midnight Blvd closing in for the lead as well.

As Hope, Whistle and Midnight hit the final furlong, it was Whistle who was able to maintain the lead and pull away but Hope and Midnight weren’t having any of it and fought it each other for 2nd. Midnight clipped Hope by a nose by the time they crossed the wire. Rest assured, that Hope and Midnight, who weren’t able to stop “The Whistle” this time, will be in hot pursuit in the future! Congrats to Whistle Stop and Penny and Michael Laurer on their win!

Hope in post parade- Signature tail swish!

Training Update- Uphold

Posted on June 27, 2017 by onthepointstable

We went down to visit Uphold ( Gabe) a couple of weeks ago. He is training well and breezing on Wednesdays and Saturdays. He is a calm, intelligent, forward going horse.

Uphold is a May 1st foal and looks like he is 3 years old. He stands almost 16.2 hands and weighs 1165 lbs. His training has consisted of jogging 6 furlongs and galloping a mile and an eighth daily as well as schooling in the gate twice a week.

If he continues to do well, he will most likely ship to Indiana Grand in the middle of July. Stay tuned for his track training updates! Pics below taken during our visit to Margaux Farm.

Gabe and Me

Ready for my daily workout

Uphold conformation shot

Hope wins the Itoba Stallion Season Fillies Stakes

Posted on June 14, 2017 by onthepointstable

Hope fired off her second stakes win of the season on Saturday, June 10th. I believe she won for her jockey, Malcolm Franklin, who was celebrating his birthday that weekend.

I thought her previous stakes win in the Swifty Sired Fillies Stakes was impressive when she won by 9 1/2 lengths, but she came back even stronger to dominate by 11 lengths in the Itoba Stakes. Her biggest challenger was No Bluff Just Hope, another talented Strong Hope filly. Go Strong Hope!

Thank you to the many friends, family, and new acquaintances that were present Saturday night to support and cheer Hope on.

One thing is for sure ,I’ve been blessed with a very special filly. She knows what she is supposed to do and she’s enjoying it. I hope you are enjoying the ride as well as we experience together the thrill of thoroughbred racing! Pictures and articles below.

Post Parade

Approaching the Winner’s Circle

Winner’s Circle

Interview

Race Results

On the Point – Update

Posted on May 30, 2017 by onthepointstable

In a couple of days, On the Point will be 90 days in foal to To Honor & Serve. Her pregnancy is progressing nicely. I visited her on May 28th and found her in the paddock true to form with her head stuck deep in a round bale of hay! She never misses an opportunity to eat and especially when she is eating for two. Her healthy appetite is one thing she passes on to her foals compliments of Point Given who is known for his voracious appetite. Below is a picture of Dream ( On the Point) caught in the act!

Who me?