As you already know, I decided to spend my spring break in KY, touring stud farms and visiting with some of the great race horses of our day. On Friday, the second day of my 3 day trip, I visited Winstar Farm, home of big names such as Tiznow, Summer Bird and yes, Super Saver. I was a member of their "Winstar Stabemates" club and because of that fact, I was given the opportunity to go on a VIP tour of the farm. Before my tour, I was given the opportunity to pick a stallion to get my picture made with and pet . Given the choice among Summer Bird, Tiznow, Super Saver, Drosslyemeyer and the others , I chose Super Saver. I chose him because I was in attendance at his 2010 Kentucky Derby win and I fell in love with him. My tour was set for 1pm and the weather was semi cooperating. It was quite warm and it was raining but there was hope that the rain would cease . Approaching the farm, one is once again greeted by a huge grand gate with the Winstar star logo , and in the distance , one sees endless fields of KY blue grass with some horses grazing in the distance. Once I passed the gate, I had to check in at the main office, which was quite grand. It was also the building where they housed the stallions. Our tour guide was a sweet, college aged girl like me and the first thing we did before the tour kicked off was watch the 2010 Kentucky Derby..... ok I admit I did get a bit teary eyed because I love Super Saver. After the video ended, we were told that the stallions were let out into their paddocks and we would visit them at the end of our tour, and to follow her to the main office to view the trophies that Winstar has won. Heres a picture of the main office..
Some of the trophies I got to view was the 2010 derby trophy and Well Armed's Dubai Cup trophy. Lined up on the walls of the office , one will see picture of Super Saver with the derby roses, and other horses that I cannot name at the moment. After the office visit, it was time to visit the foaling barn. Although I was hoping to view some foals, none were in the stalls and they were in fact outside with their mothers, but I was able to view a few in the field. The foal pictured above in one of the few foals I was able to see.
After viewing and walking around the foaling barn and learning about the foaling procedure, our tour guide took us to the training barn. This is the barn where Winstar keeps 2 year olds in training and a few of their horses in. Outside the training barn, one can see a huge racetrack that I believe she said is a standard size track. Across the training barn is the yearling barn , and although we werent taken there, I could see a few horse heads popping out of the stalls in curiosity. We were told to watch out because 2pm is often a busy time at the training barn and we did so. We walked around the training barn ,and the majority of the horses were sleeping or eating. I even saw one that appeared to be in a deep snooze and he was snoring! I got to meet Rule, a horse that was a derby probable one year but was scratched. He was wide awake and extremely friendly. As I wandered around the training barn , I noticed all of the horses were extremely people friendly.
I was eager to leave the training barn because I knew my "date" with Super Saver was coming soon! Driving back to the stallion complex/main office, my heart was beating with excitement. Finally I made it , after a short 1 minute drive. Walking on the " Stallion Circle", the area where they usually bring out stallions for viewing, I anxiously looked around for Super Saver. The tour guide said he was being groomed and bathed and while I wait, I should go look at Tiznow and the other stallions there, and I did so. One horse that struck me as stunning was Tiznow. I was not familiar with Tiznow but did know he was one of the best milers to run and that he produced some great runners on the track, including 2012 derby hopeful Gemologist. Why was he stunning you may ask? I have never seen a horse which such persona as Tiznow. As I approached his stall, he was looking out the window, and he looked regal and grand. I whistled under my breath in hopes he would come over and greet me, because I wanted to see his face. To my amazemnt , he came over and he came over so fast I had to jump back. He was stunning, everything about him was stunning and his comformation was spectacular. He held his head high as if to say " I am the best ", and it was almost as if he knew I was taking his picture because he kept pausing and posing I suppose. His groom came and took him outside for his bath , so my visit with Tiznow was brief but I did get to observe his bath. Tiznow outside is stunning, the sun shone on him ike he was a patch of gold and the wind blew his hair around and the only words I can use to describe him in that moment was BEAUTIFUL and STUNNING. Heres a picture I snapped of him.
I was so taken at awe by his physical beauty, that I almost ignored when the tour guide came and told me Super Saver was waiting for me. I turned my head around and there he was, standing with the stallion manager , looking me straight in the eye. He was standing in the middle of the stallion circle and a bright light shone on his mane and body, which made him even more majestic. I slowly walked over to him and the stallion manager said " Go on and pet him ", I was to the point that I was weak to my knees because there standing in front of me was the 2010 Kentucky Derby winner! I slowly approached him , with some caution because at most farms I had visited, they told me that these horses are aggressive, and not friendly. He was beautiful up close, and he had one of the kindest eyes I have ever seen. He seemed relaxed and he was not acting up at all, in fact he just stood there while I began to pet him. His coat was soft, silky, shiny, and warm, and he was quite tall. He had the persona that a derby champion should have, and he was full of confidence. I noticed one funny thing I have yet to see with a thoroughbred , and that was that his handler's hand was in his mouth. He was sucking on his hand as a baby would with a pacifier and evidently this calms and soothes some horses. It just added to the cuteness that was already present. As I stroked him, I remembered seeing him at the 2010 derby , I remembered how he was covered with mud and its amazing how different horses can appear on tv and in person. Whenever my parents would snap a photo, he appeared to pose for them and I swore he even smiled in a few pictures. I loved meeting him, and when it was time for him to return back to his stall, I was sad but ever so grateful for the opportunity I had. I have never gotten that close to a derby champion, let alone a race horse and the experience was magical. Winstar is a wonderful place , and I thank them for the opportunity they gave me. I would highly suggest anyone who is a racing fan to take a trip and visit them. The horses there are well taken care of, and you can even say that they are spoiled.
No comments:
Post a Comment