Thanksgiving is a time to slow down and reflect on what we are thankful for.  A term that has been used recently is Friendsgiving.  This term is a combination of the words friends and thanksgiving.  Friendsgiving is a meal shared with friends, usually on or around Thanksgiving to celebrate one another’s friendship.  As I spend time on the farm with the horses, and loving on a few of babies and then over to the retirees to spread more of my love and mints, I thought of a new word (reason to celebrate) and I’m calling it Horsegiving. 

Horses give us so much when we love them.  Their love abounds and you just have to take time to be aware of all the ways they show it.  There have been many times that Teresa, Chuck and I have witnessed this thru the interactions of some of our guests with the horses.  People who come to the farm hurting either physically or mentally are so often comforted by a horse hug.  Yes, you heard right, horses will give you a hug by laying their head on your shoulder.  And then their eyes…. they speak volumes! You can lose yourself looking into those soulful eyes.  When we ask why our guests have chosen to stay at Rosecrest, many times their reply is they just needed some horse time (therapy).

Reflecting on the past few years, there are a few examples of horsegiving that come to mind.  Cody’s Wish is a great example, as is Secretariat – for different reasons.  I look at the influence that Secretariat still has on people to this day.  For some it’s a personal memory but also it’s how his legacy brings people together because of their mutual love for this horse.  Thousands of people come to Paris, KY to see where he stood at stud and is buried.  Now they come to see the gorgeous three story high mural by Jaime Corum and the life size bronze by Jocelyn Russell, celebrating his careers as both a racehorse and stallion.  And they even come take three day sculpting workshops conducted by Joselyn!

You may not be aware of how many people have become connected by this horse.  The connection starts with their love for Secretariat. Because of this heart felt love, they visit one of many online sites dedicated to him where they become part of this online community. Finally, as a result many then meet in person attending various Secretariat based events.  When the Secretariat Festival was held in Paris, KY, Chuck and I were fortunate enough to personally meet owner Penny Chenery, her daughter Kate and jockey Ron Turcotte.  Year after year they came and patiently signed autographs and listened to many personal memories of those who attended. 

I’ve personally witnessed some of these new friendships both at Lil’s and the B&B.  They start as names on the internet community then by chance they meet at a Secretariat event and end up become good friends on a personal level.   Many of these fans come to visit with our grandson of Secretariat, Tinner’s Storm, he’s 24, soon to be 25, and is very happy to let you love on him and feed him many mints. 

Earlier, I mentioned the perfect example of a bond between person and horse and that is the story of Cody’s Wish.  If you watched the Breeders Cup races in 2022 & 2023 you would have seen a winner’s circle that not only included the horse, trainer and owner but also a boy in a wheelchair.  This relationship began in 2018 when the foal was born and Cody toured Gainsborough Farm as part of a Make-A-Wish visit.  This unnamed colt was only five months old and there were concerns about how the foal would react to Cody’s wheelchair.  To their surprise the colt cautiously approached Cody, sniffed him and then buried his head in Cody’s lap.  This behavior continued each time Cody visited. 

To all of those present during these visits there was a nonverbal communication between the two… no words, but they could feel the connection.  Inspired by this relationship and to honor the Make-A Wish Foundation, this colt was named Cody’s Wish.  Cody’s Wish never lost a race when Cody was present.  This special relationship has inspired a movie that will be coming out in the near future

Now For Rosecrest Farm Horse Update

Skylarose and Gidget Rose Lee are both getting some much needed R&R before continuing their race careers next year as four year olds.  In case you missed it Gidget Rose Lee won her maiden in October.  Skylarose came close but will have to make that her goal and hopefully more in 2025.   They are joined by Chay’s Tornado who is also here for a little R&R.  Some of you might remember seeing him here as a baby.  He was the beautiful grey colt by Arrogate out of Chaybaby who like to play beat Chuck back to the gate when it was feed time.  . 

Yearlings

The yearlings only have 36 more days until they are two–year-olds.  They are growing and getting ready for their next phase as racehorses.  They will be shipped south where they will begin their schooling on how to be a racehorse. 

Expecting Mom News

The pregnant mares have enjoyed a nice summer and now as the weather turns cold they are growing their thick winter coats and their bellies are also growing with their babies of 2025.  Many of you like to coordinate visits to the B&B according to projected foaling dates so here they are.  

Mare:	In- Foal To:	Projected Foaling Date:
Sirenic	Cyberknife	2/9/2025
Free Ninety Nine	Up To The Mark	2/11/2025
Onus	Violence	3/4/2025
Pistol Packin Rose	Cyberknife	3/19/2025
Ami Please	Arcangelo	3/22/2025
Hot Mocha	Yaupon	4/7/2025
Caradini	Goldencents	4/9/2025
Madaket Sunset	Enticed	4/22/2025
Pure Confidence	Maclean’s Music	5/1/2025
Get Back Anne	Goldencents	5/1/2025
Savannah’s Glory	Street Sense	5/5/2025

Closing Thoughts

Let me close by saying, we are thankful and blessed to live in beautiful Paris, Kentucky where we are not only surrounded by amazing horses but also the magnificent people who love and care for them that we get to call friends.  So, on behalf of Rosecrest Farm and all the crew, HAPPY HORSEGIVING 2024!