Honoring Three Peat

Today as Gary Contessa's good horse with the funny name won the Gr. 3 Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct,another good horse with a funny name probably didn't think much about it as he munched grass at Tranquility Farm. Three Peat is one of our senior retirees here, and he has been with us since our doors opened in 1998.


A foal of 1989, Three Peat had a stellar year as a three-year-old, winning the Gr. 3 Bay Shore Stakes in March, running second in the Gr.2 Riva Ridge Handicap in June, going on to defeat Agincourt to win the the Gr.2 Dywer Stakes in July, and then running a close second in the Gr.2 Pat O'Brian Handicap at Del Mar in August. Three Peat raced a total of 20 times, and retired with a record of 6-5-1, and earnings of $324,522. At age 21 Peat is still going strong, an old-school horse who made his money the hard way, and we honor him today as one of the iron warriors of Tranquility Farm.

Honoring Labirinto

Today the Gr.2 San Luis Rey handicap will be run at Santa Anita, and it is a good day to honor our retiree LABIRINTO, who placed second to Meteor Storm in 2004. Of all of our retired stakes horses, Labirinto has had one of the most international careers. He won the Gr.3 Stockholm International Gold Cup in Sweden; three stakes races in France; the Copa de Oro de San Sebastian in Spain; and then placed in the Gr.2 San Luis Rey and the Gr.3 Carlton Burke Handicaps here in the USA. His career spanned 35 races in the US and abroad, with a record of 8-7-3 and earnings of $348,966.


Today Labirinto travels between the pasture and the loafing shed at Tranquility Farm, but I have to think that his Cal-Bred buddies must be very impressed with his sophistication and continental manners. I know I am.

Saving Ginobili

Nearly a year ago a sad, skinny, broke–down, four-year- old bay gelding was bid away from a killer buyer in a livestock auction by Southern CA Thoroughbred Rescue at the request of Tranquility Farm. His name was Ginobili, and he was the veteran of 14 races with earnings of $157,448, who was vanned off in his last race at Hollywood Park on Dec. 20,2008. It would have been a crime to let this honest little horse go to slaughter. Of course,in California,it is actually a crime to let any horse go to slaughter. But that is a story for another day,a day when the state judiciary and racing authorities decide to enforce our laws responsibly. A day when the excuses and denials of those who abandon their injured horses to slaughter are finally stripped away. But Ginobili’s story is told today not because of his rescue, but because his stay at Tranquility Farm has come to a happy conclusion. Over many years we have worked closely with Plasvacc in Templeton, California,a veterinary supplier that produces the plasma transfer products which save the lives of countless newborn foals and ailing horses every year. Here healthy horses that are not adoptable can still lead useful, normal lives. Ginobili has been accepted as a donor horse there, and today he is headed for the green pastures and long life that he so deserves.

Ginobili will join an elite band of nearly thirty former racehorses rescued by Tranquility Farm that are now living out their lives at Plasvacc. Among them are: Speak Firm, a son of Affirmed who raced 112 times with earnings of $177,000 who was saved from starvation on a pack string in Arizona; Sabalucious, the veteran of 55 races with earnings of $181,707 who was rescued from Los Alamitos; Speedy Pick, a stakes-placed winner of $211,000 who became an “unwanted horse”; and Force of Nature, who after 43 races with earnings of $119,000 and was a starvation case rescued from Los Angeles County Animal Control. He is about to make some great new friends.

Honoring our San Felipe Stakes winners.

This weekend the Gr. 2 San Felipe Stakes will be run at Santa Anita Park, and Tranquility Farm salutes our retirees Buddy Gil, winner of the San Felipe in 2003…


And I Love Silver, who ran a blazing second to Point Given in 2001.

Hardly a weekend goes by that we do not have the opportunity to honor one or more of our retirees for their outstanding performance in a graded event in southern California. “Buddy” and “Silver” are with us to live out their days playing in the paddocks and pastures of a piece of rare earth called Tranquility Farm. One has only to read the daily reports of horses being abandoned after racing to know that their life here is truly exceptional. And Tranquility Farm can only be here because you CARE.

Saving Jitterbug Jan

On March 3rd a press release appeared in the California Thoroughbred Breeders website that reads : “Warren’s Jitterbug is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $250,000 Grade I Santa Anita Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. Warren’s Jitterbug is by Affirmative, out of the Peaks and Valleys mare Jitterbug Jan, was bred by owner Benjamin Warren and is trained by Jorge Gutierrez. She has one win in nine starts, earnings of $121,668 and is coming off a maiden win Feb. 4.”

And nothing would suggest that as this delicate chestnut filly stepped out on to the track to race in the prestigious Gr. I Santa Anita Oaks, that she was in any way distinguishable from the field except for her status as a California bred. But here you would be wrong.


This is Jitterbug Jan, a mare who raced 24 times with a record of 4-5-5 and earnings of $91,000, on the day of her rescue from a feedlot along with thirty- nine other pregnant broodmares in August of 2008. Jitterbug Jan is the dam of Warren’s Jitterbug, and in spite of a one month ordeal on a feedlot that nearly crushed many of her companions, she emerged proud and strong. It would appear that she passed on her fighting spirit to her overachieving daughter, who finished a valiant forth today in the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks.

I’m happy to report that Jitterbug Jan went to a wonderful home where she is truly appreciated, and that she will go on to have more foals and live a long a happy life. The big lie put forth even by some organizations that claim to be about horse welfare is that slaughter removes the old, the lame, the sick, and the horses no one could ever want. The insidious tragedy of horse slaughter is that it targets whatever shakes loose.

In Memory of Sweet JC

Photo courtesy of Big Heart Ranch.

Yesterday we received the very sad news of the death of one of our adopted horses, Sweet JC, in a pasture accident. JC's short life had a special meaning, as he was unsuccessful as a racehorse and found himself unwanted and homeless at age three. But every horse has their gift if only the right key is found to fit the lock, and for JC, that key was the love he gave to disabled and autistic children at Big Heart Ranch in Malibu CA.

His owner writes "He was truly the sweetest horse I have ever known, and I miss him dearly. I am so sorry to report this to you. He touched the lives of thousands of kids and adults and made a real difference. I will never forget the great times we had together, he taught me so much and I will love and miss him forever."

To learn about the wonderful work that gave such special meaning to the life of a little rescued horse visit Big Heart Ranch in Malibu. I'm sure they will deeply appreciate any donations to their program in memory of Sweet JC.

Remembering Crystal Water

This weekend the Crystal Water Handicap will be run at Santa Anita, honoring the great horse who was twice California Horse of the Year and also a prolific and successful sire of good racehorses.

Today we salute our retirees Lennyfromalibu, who won the Crystal Water Handicap in 2004,


and Running Free, who ran third in 2005.


But Tranquility Farm's connection to Crystal Water goes deeper, as several of his last daughters were donated to us for safekeeping a few years ago.One of these was Love the Water, who found sanctuary here to have her last foal in 2007. Love the Water showed all the class you would expect from the daughter of a champion, and the filly she produced was one of the finest and most sensible horses ever raised here at Tranquility Farm.

As Thoroughbred pedigrees go in and out of fashion yesterday's champions are often swept into the dust bin of history and forgotten in a generation. Not so with Crystal Water, and it is wonderful to see him celebrated and to know that his fine qualities live on in hundreds of decendents today.

Saluting Oceanus

This weekend Santa Anita will feature the Gr.2 San Carlos Handicap, a race that our retiree Oceanus finished a close third to Surf Cat in 2006. The beautiful stallion Oceanus raced a total to forty-six times with five wins including the Gr.2 Gran Premio Conde de Hertzberg in his native Brazil. In the US he was a tough and durable competitor until the age of nine.

When Oceanus retired to Tranquility Farm in the spring of 2008, you might say that he was a formidable horse. If you have ever seen a lively production of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew you have an idea what it was like to care for Oceanus in the first few weeks of his rehabilitation. Things often went flying out of the stall, including the grooms. But there were reasons, I told myself… it was March, it was snowing, and this glorious athlete was stuck inside with an injured leg. It would be enough to make anyone cranky. And then there was that issue of his Latin temper…
One day after a particularly harrowing session came the realization that Oceanus simply expected a fight, it wasn’t personal, and if he could not identify any combatant there would be no object for his aggression. We became his shadow enemy, not allowing any confrontation whatsoever to take place. A big bag of carrots was placed outside his stall (the cowboys snicker) and each time a human walked by he got some. Cleaning his stall and wrapping his leg was done without restraints, just carrots. I reasoned that a horse would probably not try to eat you with his mouth full, and little by little Oceanus came to view his new set of humans with a more positive attitude.

Two years at Tranquility Farm have worked their magic, and Oceanus is now a happy horse and a perfect gentleman who has learned to treat humans kindly. Like other difficult horses I have cared for in the past he has become my great favorite, probably because he has so much to teach us.

First Signs of Spring

Winter has been a long cold muddy mess here at Tranquility Farm, but looking out over the pasture that is the summer home of our retired geldings there is finally the feeling that spring is in the air. Fragile new grass is gaining strength with the returning sun, and soon the horses will shed their winter hair like butterflies coming out of their cocoons.

The fabulous geldings who call this pasture home are supported entirely by the donations of supporters and the fundraising efforts of Tranquility Farm. Here are a just a few:

Areyoutalkintome: 51 Starts, 10 wins, inc. Cal Cup Sprint.
Geronimo: 42 Starts, 10 wins, inc. Gr.3 Morvich Handicap.
Full Moon Madness: 61 Starts, 10 wins inc. Cal Cup Sprint.
Fly to the Wire: 27 Starts, 11 wins, placed Gr. 2 Las Barrera Hcp.
Publication: 25 starts-7 wins inc. Gr.2 Arlington Washington Futurity
Mananan Mclir: 47 starts-9 wins inc. Gr.2 American Derby


These great horses and many others depend entirely upon your SUPPORT for a peaceful retirement after running their hearts out on the racetrack. Please help us give them the happiness they deserve. The horses thank you!

Two Tranquility Yearlings to Neigh Savers.

Two of Tranquility Farms yearlings that are the offspring of rescued Warren Mares have been adopted by our sister non-profit Neigh Savers to be raised and trained at their Kimberlee Farms facility in Somis. Scythian Gold and Valerie’s Gift were both chosen for their outstanding potential as future sport horses.
VALERIE'S GIFT

Scythian Gold recently developed a juvenile cataract that will require surgery, and we particularly appreciate Neigh Savers adopting him at this time. If you would like to donate toward his surgery please contact Neigh Savers directly.THANK YOU!
SCYTHIAN GOLD

Imagination.

Imagination is something all horse people share,although some are better at it than others. It doesn’t take much imagination to see the star power in each spring’s new foals, in fact it is almost impossible not too. But to imagine that a half-starved, sore-footed, washed-up race horse could have a great future takes whole lot more effort. But he did. And saving Fete gave us a valuable lesson here at Tranquility Farm, where we have almost come to expect happy endings.

We get a lot of calls from people who are discouraged and want us to take on a horse that they have “rescued” from the racetrack. Because we could never fit all these horses into our farm we have tried to offer some useful advice in our
"Guide to Retraining your Racehorse". But there is a footnote that we forgot to include. And that is not to give up.


Fete didn’t give up although when he came to us he was a bag of bones that could barely walk. And Charity Fillmore didn’t give up believing that the horse she had once loved as a two- year- old could one day come to live with her family, although he was years and a continent away. And so ends our story, with another lesson learned. No matter how horses come into our lives they all have something to teach us. If you feel that you are hitting the wall with your horse it may be that you are just looking for the door.

More Adoptions!

The past week has been very busy at Tranquility Farm, and we have had lots of people visiting us looking for good horses. They came to the right place, and everyone has had a hard time deciding which of our many beauties to take home and make their own. I tell everyone the same thing, to let their heart make the choice. This may seem counter-intuitive in a time when so many horses are considered to only to have value based upon how fast they can run or how high they can jump.

SEA KRIS
But I have been blessed to live with horses long enough that I have seen the love that lives forever in the old one's eyes, and to me it is the ultimate reward, long after their races are run. Its a well-kept secret, how much horses care for humans, and visitors to Tranquility Farm marvel when we walk out into a pasture full of retired horses and they literally get mobbed for pets and affection.You see horses never give up on humans,so there might still be hope for us.
SEEKING PERFECTION
Congratulations to the lucky new owners of Sea Kris and Seeking Perfection, who made the wise choice and followed their hearts.

Help the horses!

We had a magnificent sunset tonight after a week of raging storms, and walking out among the horses as I do each evening I marveled once again at the collection of beautiful souls that have somehow found their way through the minefield of horse existence to reach safety at our farm. And when I returned from the evening chores, this e mail was waiting….

A hearing on HR503 The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act is on the agenda for the House Judiciary Committee Feb 2,2010, at 4:00 pm.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
It means if this legislation is ever enacted that horses will not be trucked from across the entire western United States to be hacked to death by machetes in Mexico. I’m sorry people but there is no genteel way of describing the horrific death of horses that are sold through our southern border for slaughter.

It means that horses from the east coast will not be trucked for days without food and water to meet their doom in a Canadian slaughterhouse. When you combine these statistics we are talking about more than 100, 000 American horses every year.

Above all the passage of this legislation would mean that the will of the American people, who have overwhelmingly supported a total ban on horse slaughter in the US at every asking, would finally have their voices heard in the halls of Congress.

WHAT CAN WE DO?
Once again, my friends, we must overcome cynicism, apathy and despair. We can CONTACT OUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES TO LEARN HOW THEY HAVE VOTED IN THE PAST AND TO ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR HR 503.

And we can CONTACT THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE to ask that they allow this simple and straightforward bill to come to the floor of the house for a vote. We can make them abundantly aware that any American horse that is killed for consumption in a foreign culture, for foreign profit, is an outrage to the fundamental values of our society. Make your voices heard!!

Update from Don'tbeatattletale

I had a very nice suprise this morning checking e mail as I looked out the window into the ferocious rain and wind where I'm soon headed. Here is an update from Don'tbeatattle tale who is doing wonderfully in his new home learning dressage. We have many more horses for adoption who have star potential, and all you have to do is wait for some decent weather and show up to see them.

His new owners write "Don'tbeatattletale is doing Fantastic, we are so happy with him, Whitney is now riding him on her own. We love him so much, thank you very much for this wonderful horse and all you do for the Thoroughbred breed."

Well that certainly makes trudging in the rain all day a little easier, just thinking about all the talent we have in the barn waiting for their chance to shine!