Penumbra decided it was time to deliver her baby this year only five days past her due date. She was showing all the signs of having her baby on Thursday morning, the 7th, but waited until 11:08 PM (that’s late on farm time, but certainly not as bad as the early morning hours!) to deliver a long-legged colt by Strong Mandate, weighing in at 120 pounds.

Penumbra and her Strong Mandate colt.

After a relatively quick delivery, both momma and baby rested for a while.  Mom decided that twenty minutes was enough rest, but the colt just kept looking at his legs… and decided laying in the deep straw bed was a good place to be.  So, we milked the mare to get the colostrum in a bottle to feed him.  He quite enjoyed the breakfast in bed and then, with a full belly, he took a nap!

Penumbra19 posing for the camera.

Big Boy eventually decided it was time to see what his legs were for and bounced up.  He was a little wobbly at first, but then maneuvered over to Mom and nursed.  As you can see from the photo, he has a great blaze and two back socks that you can’t see in the picture.

Between our first and second babies (Big Boy being our second) at the farm, we unfortunately had to say goodbye to the first mare that Chuck and I bought for Rosecrest Farm – Gone West Princess.  If you’ve been to the farm in the last year, you probably noticed she had been bothered by arthritis quite a bit.

Gone West Princess with Susan and Mariela…great memories!

We kept her comfortable and able to move to the fence where she enjoyed lots of mints and attention until some other complications set in.  (The winter cold is tough on humans and horses.)  We made the tough decision to allow her to go to sleep.  It was a very difficult call for us to make but we knew it was the right one for her.  I’ve included one of my favorite photos of her – with our daughter Susan and her daughter Mariela.

The day after Big Boy arrived was a big day for the five 2-year-olds, who shipped from Wilshire/Rosecrest Farm to Florida to begin the next phase of their race careers.  The fillies required a bit of coaxing, but once Charley’s Hope 17 loaded, Diamond Stilettos 17 and Get Back Anne 17 followed in quick succession.  It seemed like they didn’t want to be left behind and they joined her in the trailer, each in their own box stall.

Charley’s Hope 17 needed some persuading….

The second trailer for the colts pulled in to take the place of the first one.  I know you will think I’m crazy, but I swear the boys heard us coaxing the fillies and telling the girls they were going to Florida, and how nice the weather was going to be and all the fun they were going to have in the sun.  Because the colts loaded so quickly I barely had time to get a picture of them loading!!!  I did grab one of Rose dela Troienne 17, who seemed to give Mitch a quick love hug as he headed for the van.  With all five loaded, the two vans took off to Florida, drove through the night and got there safely by the next morning.  (You always worry about your kids when they’re on the road… lol.)

GOLD ACCOUNT (formerly known as Rose dela Troienne 17) headed for his ride to Florida.

Speaking of those colts who were so cooperative, we have some names to share with you to add to your Virtual Stable if you’re following our Rosecrest/Wilshire Grads.  Orientatious 16 is named WILDMAN JACK and Rose dela Troienne 17 is named GOLD ACCOUNT.  Both are by Goldencents.

We’re still thinking about options for the Charley’s Hope 17 filly, so if you’ve had some more thoughts (she’s by Strong Mandate), send them along!