It’s been awhile since my last blog — two months, in fact! Seems every year after the last foal, I sit back and get lazy about blogging.  Trust me… it’s not because there’s nothing going on.  I think I get lulled into believing nothing is as exciting as sharing new babies.

So, let me share what’s been going on at the farm.  Moms and babies come into the barn each morning to eat breakfast and nap.  It’s good to see both lay down to take a morning snooze.  As you can see from this shot, the babies are certainly growing.

Not-yet-weaned Mom and baby catching some midmorning zzzzz’s.

And talk about growing!  The babies from last year are now yearlings and have certainly grown and are now in a new phase of life.  Their routine until now has pretty much been running together just being kids after their morning breakfast and rest.   Now their routine has changed to begin the process of becoming a responsible adult.

They come into the barn at 7 AM, eat, sleep and – to start toning their muscles – they are now hand walked and learn to walk on an exerciser.  This process takes patience, but with the trust these yearling have in their grooms, they make the transition pretty easily.  After their training time, they go to the wash stall and are bathed.

All this is part of socialization.  Trainers have commented to us how they like getting Rosecrest youngsters because “they’re easy to work with” or “comfortable with their racetrack lessons”.  Sure, it’s extra work.  But Chuck’s motto has always been, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”

Caradini 18 getting a trim from the farrier.

The farrier also comes monthly to tend to their feet.  It goes without saying that to be a great race horse, you’ve got to have good feet.  This is Caradini 18 (by Goldencents).  He’s the one who was born on his sire’s birthday, so we’re hoping that’s some really good karma!

Sometimes these youngsters get a little swelling in an ankle or knee.  When this happens, they get a poltice rubbed on the joint for a reduction in swelling.  Suzi Malibu likes to rub his face on his legs, so looks like he’s experimenting with war paint.

Suzi Malibu 18…. really?

The next older crop of babies (born in 2017) are now 2-year-olds.  Four are still in Florida learning their lessons.  Diamond Stilletos 17 needed some time to mature, so she’s back at the farm taking it easy.

Gold Account (Rose dela Troienne 17) and Rose of Paris (Charley’s Hope 17) and Orientatious 17 will be shipping to Bret Calhoun’s stable at Churchill Downs by the first of August.  I can’t wait to be able to drive over and see them.  Don’t worry…. I’ll take photos and post them on Facebook.  By the way, if you’ve somehow NOT found our Rosecrest Farm Facebook page,  CLICK HERE and click LIKE at the top of the page to follow our between-blog-activity reports on Facebook.

Some of you will know that Bret Calhoun is the trainer for By My Standards (who ran in the Kentucky Derby) and Mr. Money  – the other colt who is now neck-and-neck as Goldencents’ #1 moneywinner.  There’s just a $7,490 difference, and the two of them have played a huge part in Goldencents’ million dollar margin as the Leading Second Crop Sire this year.  We love that Bret is based in the Midwest, but his great job training Goldie’s two top colts doesn’t hurt either.

Speaking of Orientatious, her now-3-year-old is named WILDMAN JACK.  He – like the 2-year-old – is by Goldencents.  He just had a bullet work (at Del Mar – which is no mean feat) and is entered for his career debut on Thursday, August 2nd in the fourth race at Del Mar!!!

The exerciser (where the yearlings are learning their new task) pictured at sunrise.

Back at the farm, we have started weaning and our four oldest babies are on their own now.  Their transition has been very easy.  I think the Moms were ready (and grateful for the rest) and the weanlings are happy to be playing in the fields without hearing any mama telling them, “No, get over here…”, “Where are you…”  They’re FREE AT LAST.

I have to share this side note about weaning.  Our neighbor is also weaning his foals and they are all in the pasture next to where we have some of our retirees.  One of them is Darby’s Hope, who is 22 and was a very attentive mama in her day.

Well, last night one of the neighbor’s weanlings was crying a little.  When Darby heard it, she whinnied back to the baby and went running over to the fence, where she stayed watching the weanling for about 20 minutes.  Once a good mama, always a good mama.  And she is the Grandmama of Rose of Paris.

Chuck, Mingo and the new Rosecrest Lawn Jockey.

Chuck and I have been very lucky to have many friends from Cincinnati surprise us with visits in the last two months.  Big Thank Yous to the Timmels and Bucks and Shari and David Wirth.

In closing, I just have to share Chuck’s birthday present with you (picture at right).  He loved it and Mingo quit barking at it, once he realized this jockey wasn’t going to pose any threat.