Ex-jock straightens out life for crooked horse
Crooked knees and an offset gait made the little colt appear more seaworthy than race ready. And so Marqued Heart ran wide of his father’s stellar racing career, and instead, wound up with a jockey who promised never to ride him. It was a turn of fate set in motion in early April 2006, when Marqued Heart entered this world with front knees so crooked he struggled along with a wide step up front, giving him an offset and twisted look all over. And then, at age 2 months, the little colt somehow put a foot wrong and shattered his […]
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Partly blind Derby pony retires to foxhunting life
A partly blind off-track Thoroughbred, who briefly shared the horseracing limelight with 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb, has left the glitz and glamor to enjoy a semi-retired life foxhunting in Maryland. Well Well, 20, left the barn of famous race trainer Shug McGaughey, and his job ponying Orb at racetracks, to land at the Black Dog Farm in Frederick, Md. last June. Now living under the care of adoring fan and seasoned equestrian Lisa Novel Hackett, Well Well enjoys the leisurely life of a well-cared-for pet and foxhunting companion. Hackett was smitten with the wise gelding’s “workmanlike” attitude and steadiness from […]
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OTTB ‘makes their day’ on Calif. police beat
There’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Jimmy Diesel. Standing taller than most, he has the cool, calm countenance of Clint Eastwood while facing down bad guys. Blasé in proximity to gunfire, flares, and crowd noise, this big guy might well be expected to utter the famous Eastwood line, “Make my day,” if only he could. But Jimmy Diesel’s no two-legged macho man. He’s a 17-hand, off-track Thoroughbred who came out of a long retirement at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s (TRF) Kansas farm, trained for a new career as a police horse with Julie Baker of Healing […]
