Suffolk ex-racehorses charm CANTER crowd

Oh the cuteness! Photo by Patricia McQueen

Thirteen ex-racehorses found new homes last week at the 7^th annual CANTER New England Suffolk Showcase, and eight additional Thoroughbred ex-racehorses were sold shortly after the sales event, according to Jennifer Montfort, event spokeswoman.

“It seems like this year we had a lot of serious buyers. It was awfully rainy, so you have to be pretty dedicated to come out and hang out in all that rain,” she says, noting that five prospective buyers showed up with trailers.

“We had eventers and hunter/jumper people looking for prospects. It really ran the gamut,” she says, adding that buyers came from New Hampshire and Connecticut to pick up a horse. “I think word has gotten out that you can get a really good, quality horse at the Showcase at this time of the year.”

A total of 80 horses were featured at the sale, including standout heartthrobs Dixie Causeway, a tiny gray gelding so cute that when he made his appearance, the crowd collectively exclaimed, “Awww.”

“Everyone fell in love with him,” Montfort says. “I talked with his owner this past weekend, and he had 10-15 people stop by to look at him, but one lady paid cash and said, ‘He’s mine.’ ”

Roman Valor. Photo by Patricia McQueen

Roman Valor, a “classy, older gelding” also drew a lot of interested looks. The nine-year-old did well on the track, earning roughly $50,000, and is now ready for his second career as a riding horse, she says.

As the annual meet at Suffolk Downs winds to a close this Oct. 31, many ex-racehorses will be on the market.

CANTER New England consistently sells between 120 to 150 horses a year, with most of the buying occurring at this time.

Because of the rush, the status of sale horses changes constantly. The best way to find a horse is to check the CANTER New England Trainer Listings, Montfort says, noting that the volunteers at CANTER New England, especially Barbara Lamb, deserve kudos for making this year’s Showcase a success.

Here is a list of horses who have sold since the Showcase: Cuvested, Dance Safely, Dixie Causeway, Everydayisagift, Five Star Rating, Heyman, Maddy’s Raven, Score One For Rose, Sienna Rain, Ten Ten, The February Lion, Xpostfacto, Krabby Patties, Plum Creek, Sarge’s, Big Sky Guy, Country Coyote, Nobles Honor, Quiet Wave, Runaway Jolie, Seaway Summer, Speed Diva, and Burning Spirit.