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Rachel Alexandra is hand fed at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Photo provided by Rood & Riddle

Rood & Riddle: Rachel Alexandra’s condition is stable, serious

Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital provided the following press release and photo of Rachel Alexandra: Doctors at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky reported on Monday that 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra’s condition remains stable as she recovers from abdominal surgery performed Wednesday, February 13th following foaling complications. “If she wasn’t as smart and as strong-willed as she is,” said Dr. Bonnie Barr, “she wouldn’t be progressing the way she is.” This morning Rachel was able to go for a short walk outside, during which time she was able to eat a small amount of grass. […]

Amy Smith and Silent Thunder in Zone Finals. Photo by Shawn McMillen

Silent Thunder gave her wings to soar over loss

Four years had passed since Amy Smith’s mother died suddenly and unexpectedly at age 56. As she faced the prospect of spending Christmas alone in her Washington, D.C. apartment, the thought occurred to her that were her mother alive, she would tell her to use her inheritance to embrace life and make herself happy. “This was when I decided I was ready to buy a horse,” Smith says. “So, the morning after Christmas, I got up at 6 a.m., had a cup of coffee and went to look” at seasoned campaigner Silent Thunder who was stabled at Penn National. Before […]