Dear Adopters and Potential Adopters,
If you have just been to the feed store and came home to have a little cry, don't feel alone. This is a scary year for horse owners and horse lovers, and it is more important than ever for those of us who rescue and rehome horses to have the support of the horse community. No one, no matter how hard they try, can keep abreast of the rising cost of caring for multiple horses. For Tranquility Farm, timely adoptions are critical to our ability to help the horses, and we are caring for far too many wonderful adoption candidates who need your help to find homes!
And so, to give everyone some much needed cheer and inspiration, we would like to share a video of first-time horse owner Doug Johnson of Washington, and his rescued mare, Warren's Sassy Cat. Here is Doug's reward for compassion, faith, and the abiding knowledge that a Thoroughbred deserves so much better than to be treated as a running machine. ENJOY! If you are accessing this blog through the Tranquility Farm website you will have to enter "Sassy Leo Sayer Remix" when the YouTube search box comes up. Please visit Tranquility Farm soon for your new dancing partner!
4/16/11
4/8/11
Honoring I Love Silver
Tomorrow is the Grade I Santa Anita Derby and a good time to honor our retiree, I Love Silver, whose outstanding efforts in graded stakes company earned him great respect and affection from California race fans in the early years of the last decade. Silver ran head to head with Kona Gold, Point Given, Mizzen Mast and many of the stars of his day, and could always be counted on to give his best effort.
I Love Silver is the kind of horse that always seems to need an exclamation point at the end of his name. I LOVE SILVER! Doesn't that look better?
A foal of 1998 by Silver Ghost out of Lost Love, by Codex, I Love Silver raced 20 times in his accomplished career. His record is 20 Starts: 4 - 5 - 4, with earnings of $437,142. Trained by Dean Greenman, I Love Silver at at 3: Won Skywalker H. (SA)$75,000; 2nd San Felipe S. (G2); 3rd Santa Anita Derby (G1); Ancient Titel Breeders' Cup H. (G1); Malibu S. (G1), and at 4 ran 2nd Morvich H. (G3); 3rd Pat O'Brien H. (G2). Congratulations Silver Boy, at Tranquility Farm you are still a star.
I Love Silver is the kind of horse that always seems to need an exclamation point at the end of his name. I LOVE SILVER! Doesn't that look better?
A foal of 1998 by Silver Ghost out of Lost Love, by Codex, I Love Silver raced 20 times in his accomplished career. His record is 20 Starts: 4 - 5 - 4, with earnings of $437,142. Trained by Dean Greenman, I Love Silver at at 3: Won Skywalker H. (SA)$75,000; 2nd San Felipe S. (G2); 3rd Santa Anita Derby (G1); Ancient Titel Breeders' Cup H. (G1); Malibu S. (G1), and at 4 ran 2nd Morvich H. (G3); 3rd Pat O'Brien H. (G2). Congratulations Silver Boy, at Tranquility Farm you are still a star.
4/3/11
In Memory of Marvin's Faith
Marvin's Faith (Ire)was euthanized yesterday at Tranquility Farm because of his declining health due to cancer. He was 20 years old. Marvin was a fabulous runner in his day, and raced 29 times with six wins including the Gr.2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland where he established a new record for a mile and an eighth on the turf; the Gr.3 La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar; and the Gr. 3 Bay Meadows Derby.
Marvin was the kindest horse and he spent twelve years in happy retirement here at Tranquility Farm. Farewell old friend, you will be missed.
Marvin was the kindest horse and he spent twelve years in happy retirement here at Tranquility Farm. Farewell old friend, you will be missed.
3/8/11
Tranquility Farm Giftshop Now on E Bay!
"Ladies First" by Nick Martinez. We are happy to announce the opening of Tranquility Farm's E Bay Giftshop which we hope our friends will support to help us fundraise for the horses. Our initial offering is a selection of beautiful prints of your racing favorites and past champions from Saratoga artist Nick Martinez. If you are shopping for a gift or something special for your home, please considering supporting our horses with a purchase of one of these beautiful items!
ENTER TRANQUILITY FARM'S E BAY GIFTSHOP AND WATCH FOR MORE ITEMS SOON!
2/17/11
Thank you Hollywood Park !
Tranquility Farm wishes to thank Hollywood Park Racing Charities for their contribution to our horses. Among the former stars of Hollywood Park that now make Tranquility Farm their home are:
Invited Guest, winner of the 1987 Gr.2 Dahlia Handicap.
Southern Wish, winner of the 1994 Gr.1 Citation Handicap
Mananan Mclir, who ran 2nd in the 2002 Gr.1 Hollywood Derby.
Areyoutalkintome, who ran 2nd in the 2005 and 2006 Gr. 3 Los Angeles Handicap.
Publication, 2nd. in the 2002 Gr.1 Triple Bend Handicap.
Geronimo, 2nd, 2003 and 2004 Gr.3 Hollywood Turf Express Handicap.
Many thanks to Hollywood Park for remembering and appreciating these great competitors!
Invited Guest, winner of the 1987 Gr.2 Dahlia Handicap. 
Southern Wish, winner of the 1994 Gr.1 Citation Handicap
Mananan Mclir, who ran 2nd in the 2002 Gr.1 Hollywood Derby.
Areyoutalkintome, who ran 2nd in the 2005 and 2006 Gr. 3 Los Angeles Handicap. 
Publication, 2nd. in the 2002 Gr.1 Triple Bend Handicap.
Geronimo, 2nd, 2003 and 2004 Gr.3 Hollywood Turf Express Handicap.
Many thanks to Hollywood Park for remembering and appreciating these great competitors!
1/27/11
More about Pious
On November 9, 2010, in a blog entry entitled Saving Pious, you saw the first chapter in the story of the rescue of Pious. Here is a photo of Pious when he arrived at Tranquility Farm one day after being found at a livestock auction by Caroline Betts of Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue. Pious was depressed, severely dehydrated, and facing god knows what fate that night. We just couldn’t leave him there.
If you have any doubts that horses have knowledge of their fate, take a good look at Pious. Little by little we pieced together his past. A $250,000 Keeneland yearling in 2006, by the popular sire Forestry, and out of a stakes producing mare, Pious had legitimate star potential. But something happened to him as a two year old and he never made his mark on the track. He dropped from sight for two years and until that November night when he suddenly reappeared at a killer sale.
We know from his condition that he was well cared for in the interim. His hooves were good, his coat was still brilliant, and he seemed to bear human beings no ill will for the terrible betrayal he had suffered. Pious was a total sweetheart. How anyone could simply abandon a horse like this is the cruel mystery that horse rescue people face every time they summon the courage to walk in to another auction to save Thoroughbred horses. No matter how many times you do this, it is impossible to comprehend why.
Here is Pious after two months of love and care at Tranquility Farm. He will soon be leaving us for a home where his wonderful qualities as a stallion will be appreciated forever. His stay here was inspiring, and to Taylor Made Sales and everyone who contributed toward his rehabilitation, we thank you so much. Look what we did.
If you have any doubts that horses have knowledge of their fate, take a good look at Pious. Little by little we pieced together his past. A $250,000 Keeneland yearling in 2006, by the popular sire Forestry, and out of a stakes producing mare, Pious had legitimate star potential. But something happened to him as a two year old and he never made his mark on the track. He dropped from sight for two years and until that November night when he suddenly reappeared at a killer sale.
We know from his condition that he was well cared for in the interim. His hooves were good, his coat was still brilliant, and he seemed to bear human beings no ill will for the terrible betrayal he had suffered. Pious was a total sweetheart. How anyone could simply abandon a horse like this is the cruel mystery that horse rescue people face every time they summon the courage to walk in to another auction to save Thoroughbred horses. No matter how many times you do this, it is impossible to comprehend why.
Here is Pious after two months of love and care at Tranquility Farm. He will soon be leaving us for a home where his wonderful qualities as a stallion will be appreciated forever. His stay here was inspiring, and to Taylor Made Sales and everyone who contributed toward his rehabilitation, we thank you so much. Look what we did.
1/25/11
2011 SPRING ADOPTION PREVIEW
Tranquility Farm's website is being freshened and updated, and while that work is going on we have had a lot of inquiries regarding horses that will be offered for adoption this spring. Here are a few of the adoptable horses we will be featuring on our updated website! Please give us a call or e mail if you are horse shopping as we have many more lovely young horses that will soon be photographed and posted.
BuckySue, 2007 16 hand mare by Touch Gold out of Way Up. BuckySue is a most kind and naturally quiet young mare who simply was not cut out to be a racehorse. She will make a wonderful all around pleasure horse for someone who wants a true pet as well as riding horse, and she has no physical problems that would prevent her from any challenge.
Callthewindmariah, 2007 16 hand filly by Kasparov out of Ventilation. Mariah has beautiful sleek lines and a catty way of going that make her a natural for the hunter ring. She is a friendly, extroverted filly who is already a "pocket pony". Born and raised at Tranquility Farm she will make a fabulous prospect.
Margaret's Image, 2007 16.2 hand dark bay filly by Skimming out of Margaret's Native. This gorgeous young mare has been raised with lots of love right here at Tranquility Farm and she is now ready to go into training for dressage or eventing. Margaret is a kind and classy filly with a wonderful kind dispositon, one of a kind!
Tanta Pasion, 2002 15.3 hand Chestnut Mare. This Chilean bred beauty is very lightly raced, and she has taken time out to have one foal prior to her donation to Tranquility Farm. Tanta is a very friendly,athletic, and agile mare who would undoubtedly take to hunter work or all around pleasure riding.
Switch It Up, 2006 16.2 hand, dark bay mare by Lido Palace out of Call an Audible. This mare is a big impressive mover and would make a great prospect for dressage. She is kind, calm and very well mannered, and she is relaxed and friendly with other horses. All in all an extremely pleasant horse!
Deification, 2006 15.2 hand gelding by Empire Maker out of Adoration. This little man is one of the most playful, affectionate and congenial horses you could ever imagine. If you are looking for a horse to be a family member, trail partner and all around pleasure horse please come to meet Deification, he is waiting so patiently to be your best friend.
BuckySue, 2007 16 hand mare by Touch Gold out of Way Up. BuckySue is a most kind and naturally quiet young mare who simply was not cut out to be a racehorse. She will make a wonderful all around pleasure horse for someone who wants a true pet as well as riding horse, and she has no physical problems that would prevent her from any challenge. 
Callthewindmariah, 2007 16 hand filly by Kasparov out of Ventilation. Mariah has beautiful sleek lines and a catty way of going that make her a natural for the hunter ring. She is a friendly, extroverted filly who is already a "pocket pony". Born and raised at Tranquility Farm she will make a fabulous prospect. 
Margaret's Image, 2007 16.2 hand dark bay filly by Skimming out of Margaret's Native. This gorgeous young mare has been raised with lots of love right here at Tranquility Farm and she is now ready to go into training for dressage or eventing. Margaret is a kind and classy filly with a wonderful kind dispositon, one of a kind!
Tanta Pasion, 2002 15.3 hand Chestnut Mare. This Chilean bred beauty is very lightly raced, and she has taken time out to have one foal prior to her donation to Tranquility Farm. Tanta is a very friendly,athletic, and agile mare who would undoubtedly take to hunter work or all around pleasure riding. 
Switch It Up, 2006 16.2 hand, dark bay mare by Lido Palace out of Call an Audible. This mare is a big impressive mover and would make a great prospect for dressage. She is kind, calm and very well mannered, and she is relaxed and friendly with other horses. All in all an extremely pleasant horse!
Deification, 2006 15.2 hand gelding by Empire Maker out of Adoration. This little man is one of the most playful, affectionate and congenial horses you could ever imagine. If you are looking for a horse to be a family member, trail partner and all around pleasure horse please come to meet Deification, he is waiting so patiently to be your best friend.
1/18/11
HOMAGE TO ZENYATTA
No one could have been more suprised or honored than to have a quote from Tranquility Farm's In The Presence of Champions calendar read as a part of Jerry Moss and Team Zenyatta's Horse of the Year acceptance speech.
For all of Zenyatta's many fans who have called and wished to order calendars today to have the whole text of our piece honoring Zenyatta, we deeply regret that 2011 In the Presence of Champions has sold out. Below you will find the complete piece, which was written on the evening of the Breeder's Cup.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Calm has returned to Tranquility Farm this evening. It is a crisp, clear night and I can still hear some of the retired gelding trotting happily away in the darkness, savoring the mountain air. Walking through the barns and paddocks there is everywhere the familiar comfort of horses munching their evening hay. The phone has finally stopped ringing. The tears have dried. Zenyatta has lost, or so they think.
If you love Thoroughbred horses you go through life hoping that you can see just one more in whose presence the clouds fall away to reveal the mountaintop. It can take a generation or infinitely longer for such a horse to arrive, a horse that is capable of carrying the human heart. For the last one hundred years we know them all by name, but Zenyatta brought to us a beauty that was a tonic for the soul. She allowed us to believe in the impossible, and it was the light of her being as much as the thrill of her races that got us dancing. Zenyatta was transformative.
And what do we take away from this? In the year ahead there will be thousands of young horses who will come away from racing and they will not be legends. Many will be injured, most will be unwanted, and unless we who love the Thoroughbred act in concert for their protection, there will be no storybook ending.
To join together to insure that retiring Thoroughbreds everywhere can have a future could be the final and perhaps the greatest legacy of America’s love affair with Zenyatta. She showed the world without question that Thoroughbreds have great depth of feeling and a true affection for humankind. She proved beyond measure that horses are worthy of our respect. It is impossible not to believe that because of her there are young people all across this country waiting with open arms to bring one of these marvelous creatures into their lives. It is our duty to make that connection.
.
If we can rise up, and we can rally, and we can be fearless in overcoming the tremendous obstacles to achieving this goal, then we can perhaps be worthy of the marvelous gift that Zenyatta was to all who saw and loved her. We owe it to her, but of course she is a horse, and it was all for free.
For all of Zenyatta's many fans who have called and wished to order calendars today to have the whole text of our piece honoring Zenyatta, we deeply regret that 2011 In the Presence of Champions has sold out. Below you will find the complete piece, which was written on the evening of the Breeder's Cup.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Calm has returned to Tranquility Farm this evening. It is a crisp, clear night and I can still hear some of the retired gelding trotting happily away in the darkness, savoring the mountain air. Walking through the barns and paddocks there is everywhere the familiar comfort of horses munching their evening hay. The phone has finally stopped ringing. The tears have dried. Zenyatta has lost, or so they think.
If you love Thoroughbred horses you go through life hoping that you can see just one more in whose presence the clouds fall away to reveal the mountaintop. It can take a generation or infinitely longer for such a horse to arrive, a horse that is capable of carrying the human heart. For the last one hundred years we know them all by name, but Zenyatta brought to us a beauty that was a tonic for the soul. She allowed us to believe in the impossible, and it was the light of her being as much as the thrill of her races that got us dancing. Zenyatta was transformative.
And what do we take away from this? In the year ahead there will be thousands of young horses who will come away from racing and they will not be legends. Many will be injured, most will be unwanted, and unless we who love the Thoroughbred act in concert for their protection, there will be no storybook ending.
To join together to insure that retiring Thoroughbreds everywhere can have a future could be the final and perhaps the greatest legacy of America’s love affair with Zenyatta. She showed the world without question that Thoroughbreds have great depth of feeling and a true affection for humankind. She proved beyond measure that horses are worthy of our respect. It is impossible not to believe that because of her there are young people all across this country waiting with open arms to bring one of these marvelous creatures into their lives. It is our duty to make that connection.
.
If we can rise up, and we can rally, and we can be fearless in overcoming the tremendous obstacles to achieving this goal, then we can perhaps be worthy of the marvelous gift that Zenyatta was to all who saw and loved her. We owe it to her, but of course she is a horse, and it was all for free.
1/5/11
CALENDARS ARE SOLD OUT!
Thanks so much to everyone who supported our 2011 In The Presence of Champions calendar fundraiser for their support! We had a great response to our 2011 calendars and will not be able to accept further orders at this time. If you have already submitted your order you will receive your calendar. Thanks again to everyone who sent in donations or purchased our calendars for making the holiday season bright for the horses of Tranquility Farm!
12/27/10
Tranquility Farm Thanks CARMA
The Board of Tranquility Farm would like to express our thanks to the hard working people of CARMA who have done so much to support the non-profit organizations caring for California's retired Thoroughbreds. The retired horses of Tranquility Farm have participated in 2,011 races and earned more than fifteen million dollars in purses. We deeply appreciate CARMA's effort to secure a portion of each horse's earnings for their retirement.
12/24/10
Happy Holidays!
This was too good not to share! Thanks to Sandy Milby for the cute photo of her adopted horse, Don'tbeatattletale. Happy Holidays to everyone!
11/30/10
IN THE PRESENCE OF CHAMPIONS 2011!
IN the PRESENCE OF CHAMPIONS 2011 featuring Zenyatta, Boys at Tosconova, Super Saver, EZ's Gentleman, Pretty Unusual, Stevie Wonderboy,Papa Clem, the Keeneland 2010September Sale Topper,Caracortado, and beautiful scenes from the world of quality Thoroughbred racing.
ORDER ONLINE NOW! CALENDARS WILL SHIP THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 15.
11/25/10
A GIANT THANK YOU!
Tranquility Farm wishes to thank everyone who contributed to our stallion season auction, all of our season purchasers, and most especially Auction Chairman Barbara Corey for a successful auction. Thanks to all of you for helping us to continue to provide for the 110 horses in the care of Tranquility Farm. In a year which has been difficult for everyone in the horse world, we are most particularly grateful for your help and support!
11/19/10
2010 STALLION SEASON AUCTION
2010 Annual
Stallion Season Telephone Auction
To benefit the 100 horses in retirement, rehabilitation or awaiting adoption at Tranquility Farm will take place on:
Nov. 21 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
Nov. 22 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
Nov. 23 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
To donate a season or submit a bid contact Auction Chairman Barbara Corey by phone or fax at: 909-887-9067.
2011 SEASONS OFFERED:
ALYMAGIC
ATHLETE
AWESOME GAMBLER
AWESOME SPIRIT
BEDFORD FALLS
BEHRENS
BLAKES PASSION
BLAZONRY
BOLD CHIEFTAIN
CAPSIZED
CHATTAHOOCHEE WAR
COMIC STRIP
COUNCIL MEMBER
CYCLOTRON
DECARCHY
DEFY LOGIC
DRUM MAJOR
FLAME THROWER
FORMAL GOLD
FREESPOOL
FULLBRIDLED
GAME PLAN
GLOBALIZE
GOLD KNUCKLES
GOOD JOURNEY
GOTHAM CITY
HELD OVER AGAIN
IRON CAT
LASERSPORT
LUCKY PULPIT
MANY RIVERS
MARINO MARINI
McCANN’S MOJAVE
MR. NAPPER TANDY (GB)
MUD ROUTE
PAMPLEMOUSSE
PAPA CLEM
PURE THRILL
RIVER GAMBLER
RIVERGRADE BOY
SOUGHT AFTER
SOUTHERN IMAGE
SPENSIVE
STORM WOLF
STORMY JACK
SURF CAT
SWISS YODELER
TANNERSMYMAN
TEN MOST WANTED
THISNEARLYWASMINE
TOUGH FAME
UNCLE DENNY
UNDER CAUTION
VRONSKY
WESTERN FAME
Stallion Season Telephone Auction
To benefit the 100 horses in retirement, rehabilitation or awaiting adoption at Tranquility Farm will take place on:
Nov. 21 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
Nov. 22 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
Nov. 23 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
To donate a season or submit a bid contact Auction Chairman Barbara Corey by phone or fax at: 909-887-9067.
2011 SEASONS OFFERED:
ALYMAGIC
ATHLETE
AWESOME GAMBLER
AWESOME SPIRIT
BEDFORD FALLS
BEHRENS
BLAKES PASSION
BLAZONRY
BOLD CHIEFTAIN
CAPSIZED
CHATTAHOOCHEE WAR
COMIC STRIP
COUNCIL MEMBER
CYCLOTRON
DECARCHY
DEFY LOGIC
DRUM MAJOR
FLAME THROWER
FORMAL GOLD
FREESPOOL
FULLBRIDLED
GAME PLAN
GLOBALIZE
GOLD KNUCKLES
GOOD JOURNEY
GOTHAM CITY
HELD OVER AGAIN
IRON CAT
LASERSPORT
LUCKY PULPIT
MANY RIVERS
MARINO MARINI
McCANN’S MOJAVE
MR. NAPPER TANDY (GB)
MUD ROUTE
PAMPLEMOUSSE
PAPA CLEM
PURE THRILL
RIVER GAMBLER
RIVERGRADE BOY
SOUGHT AFTER
SOUTHERN IMAGE
SPENSIVE
STORM WOLF
STORMY JACK
SURF CAT
SWISS YODELER
TANNERSMYMAN
TEN MOST WANTED
THISNEARLYWASMINE
TOUGH FAME
UNCLE DENNY
UNDER CAUTION
VRONSKY
WESTERN FAME
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