I said I had a few more babies to tell you about in my last blog. I just didn’t know it would be three months before I had enough time to sit down and write the next one.  So, before I get called away, if you haven’t stayed with us recently, let me tell you about them and I’ll make it short and sweet.  But thought it might be fun for you to see how much they’ve grown, so here it goes….

Savannah’s Glory gave birth to a beautiful bay filly by Practical Joke on April 12, 2024 at 10:07 PM

Get Back Anne gave us a precious bay filly by Echo Town on April 18^th at 12:47 in the afternoon.

Madaket Sunset had a dark bay/brown colt by Mo Town, about the time Chuck normally gets up, at 4:05AM on April 23^rd.  His color is now changing from dark bay or brown to grey. 

On April 30, 2024 we added to our collection of dark bay/brown colts when Flame Mingo had her colt sired by Violence, (he has a big big attitude).

 

I’ve actually already told you about the last foal of the season but I’ll mention her again because our foaling season ended on Derby Day when Hit The Limit delivered her filly by, none other than, Goldencents (also the sire of the 2024 Kentucky Derby Winner  that same day!) 

So with that the 2024 foaling season ended here at Rosecrest Farm having a total of 13 foals.  The fillies won the race at a total of eight to the colts five.  (We are in the thoroughbred business….of course everything is a race………..unless we are in all the other waiting stages). 

The mares have been bred back and now all we can do is take care of them until they foal, in hopes the best breeding choices were made and they produce a group of spectacular foals next year. 

RACING NEWS

Our two girls, Skylarose and Gidget Rose Lee, have had a few races in the last few months going between Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.  Our partners are getting very familiar with the owner licensing process, from state to state.  Now I can hear you saying, “Really, I didn’t realize the owners of the race horses had to have a license?” So, let me tell you a little bit about that process.  Every state requires the owner(s) to be licensed in that state….some require finger prints others just the application and the fee.  Some fees can be paid with a credit card while other states only want a check and will not accept a credit card.  When you think you can get anything you want with a credit card, think again…….your horse might not race if you forgot to bring your check book.   I was shocked by that fact so I had to share.   So now that everyone has their license, finger prints and paid their fees,  the girls are ready to head to the starting gate.

Gidget Rose Lee

Gidget Rose Lee made her debut on June 6^th, going a mile and a sixteenth on the turf at Horseshoe Indiana.  She rallied late and just missed winning by a neck!  She finished 2^nd, myself and our partners; Lisa, Linda, Betty, David plus a few friends were all there to cheer her on.  We couldn’t have been happier. Oh, who am I kidding, we would have been over the moon if she had won but we were proud of her all the same! 

 Her second start was on July 4^th when she hopped on the trailer and went for a ride to Ellis Park for her one mile race that was supposed to be on the turf but was changed to the dirt because of the torrential rains.  As Melissa and I were driving to the track, Melissa got word on her phone that the grandstand was closed,…No Fans.  I called our trainer, Stephanie, to find out what was happening and she hadn’t heard that news, but called her husband, Conner, who was already at the track with Gidget.  We found out there was no water in the grandstands, so they were not going to allow fans.  Luckily, they had plenty of water on the backside for the horses.  Only owners with a current “License” were going to be admitted.  With no food available,  I was very happy that my sister, who lives nearby, in Evansville,  was willing to procure lunch and bring it to the track, where I was able to get her admitted.  We found out that Gidget does not like the mud and finished 5^th.  She came out of the race in good shape and wasn’t last so that’s our positive notes for that day.  

Her most recent start was September 3^rd, back at Horseshoe Indiana.  I was having a very busy day at my restaurant, Lil’s Coffee House, celebrating Dr. Copeland’s 98^th birthday.  I just couldn’t stand to miss the sound of the bugle calling our girl onto the track for her third race. So I left the celebration early and headed to Indiana just in time for the 7^th race.   We were hoping the third time would be the charm. Gidget’s race was a maiden special weight for fillies and mares on the turf with a field of 11 horses.  Unfortunately, the third time was the not the charm, after being bumped at the start and a very fast pace, she had no late bid and finished in the middle of the pack in 6^th place.   So now we know Gidget needs more than a mile so the pace slows a bit so she has the chance to close.  One of Gidget’s pasture mates and now stable mate was also in this race, Lil’s Coffee.  I’m not sure how Glenn decided on the name Lil’s Coffee for his filly… it could have been that she is dark like the color of our Bourbon Blend coffee or if it was because his office staff in California insists on drinking the delicious Lil’s Coffee.  Either way, congratulations to WC Racing and Wonderland Racing on her 2^nd place finish.  

And if talking about Lil’s Special Bourbon Blend Coffee has you wishing you had a cup of your own,  you can always order from our website and we will ship it to you.

Skylarose

Skylarose had her second start on July 13^th at Ellis Park,  a mile on the dirt.  She was bumped early in the race and finished  6^th in a field of 12 horses.  According to her jockey, Rafael Bejarano, the track was very deep and she was having a hard time getting her footing.  We won’t be sending her back to Ellis Park now that we know she doesn’t like it. 

Her most recent start was on September 6^th, at Belterra Park in Ohio going a mile but this time on the turf. She came in 2^nd!   What a great time I had cheering her on along with our partners; Lisa, Kelli, & Peggy.   After the race, we all went back to the barn for a quick visit with our girl while she cooled down and drank a bucket of water before getting on the trailer to head home.  

OTHER HORSE UPDATES & NEW CAREERS:

Dunbar, the one many of you remember feeding mints, is doing great with his new owner and career!  He has already competed in several events and is doing great winning many ribbons.    We wish Dunbar and Sidney the best of luck in their upcoming event on September 28^th &29^th at the Kentucky Horse Park!!  

Last year, Sir Numbra,  a.k.a “Pumpkin”,  had to be retired from racing as a result of a major injury that ended his racing career.  After many months of stall rest and rehab he was ready to go and find his next career with a new owner.  We are happy to report that he has been adopted by his biggest fan(s), Lisa Bailo who has brought him back to Rosecrest to board.  His new career, pasture ornament, where he can be loved on and receive peppermints on regular basis.   After hearing she had done this, her friend Kelli Woolsey said she loved him to and wanted to co-own him so Lisa agreed and together they are proud new owners of “Pumpkin” .

UPCOMING EVENTS IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY…HORSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD FOR A REASON  

The Keeneland Fall Meet starts Oct 4^th and runs through Oct 26^th.  There is nothing better than a day (or two) at the races and a stay here at The Guesthouse.  If you haven’t already made your plans to come and stay with us, our rooms are filling up fast so make your reservation now.

Paris, KY is once again hosting The Legends of Bourbon County Festival.  And yes, our legends in this county are horses.   Last year’s legend was the one and only Secretariat.  This year’s legend is another phenomenal chestnut stallion whose name is Curlin,  and famous equine artist, Jamie Corman, is painting a larger than life image of him across the street from where she painted the three story Secretariat mural.   The festival will be October 11 -15, 2024 with what I will call a pre-event on September 28^th being  a 5K & 10K run at Hill N Dale Farm at Xalapa, the home of Curlin.  Our guesthouse is full for the October festivities but we have some availability for the weekend of the run so call us or get online to book your stay with us.   To get more details about the festival please visit their Facebook page by clicking the button below.

We have so many horse legends here in Bourbon County my mind races about who they might select for next year’s legend and we haven’t even celebrated this year yet.

Speaking of next year,  mark your calendars for next year’s Keeneland Spring meet which will be  April 4-25, 2025 and make your reservations now to come and stay with us.     

Happy Fall and we hope to see you soon!