Farms and Fans

[Catinca]

After the off-topic posts in the "Well Known Mares" thread, I thought it might be interesting to start a new thread about people's experiences visiting farms. This might also help people who are looking to visit farms in the future, as those threads tend to pop up every now and again.

I'm at work now, but when I get home I'll post some of my experiences and photos here.

[Catinca]

Figured I'd move this over here for future reference...

I'm not sure how Three Chimneys is with a general question of asking to see the mares and babies, as I had a specific mare I wanted to see (Santaria). I had sent out an email similar to the one I sent just now about how much I adore Catinca, and I was met with such kindness about Santaria. I was allowed to come see her, as well as Medallist (her son), and was given a Medallist DVD and hat. I hadn't seen Santaria since she had been on layup after breaking her leg. That was back in 1999. I actually just found the picture my dad took of me and Santaria back then:



And here is the photo from when I saw Santaria at Three Chimneys:




Also going to add in here, I was able to see Young Ralph (who is probably deceased by now) when I was at Circle S Farm, which was where Santaria was in 1999 when she was recovering from her injury:




The main reason for the visit to Circle S was to "meet" Heckofaralph, who was a fantastic turf sprinter that held at least one world record:

[mariasmon]

I've been to Denali several times to visit Serena's Song, Ipi Tombe and others. They're always very accommodating. Serena's Song herself couldn't care less, unless you have some mints for her, but it's nice to be able to see her and her kids.

I got permission to visit Precious Kitten by writing to Gretchen Jackson. She is quite nice to fans, I'd say. Mill Ridge isn't terribly accommodating, but they have a lot of mares and don't want to mess up their schedules. Or make their employees trudge out into a giant pasture to catch a mare who's already turned out. Mike Bell, in particular, has been really nice to me. I've been there to see her twice since she retired.

Airdie was very nice about visiting Proud Spell. Brereton Jones actually introduced himself to my friend and me (we already knew who he was, obv.) and thanked us for coming to see her. Ben, one of their bloodstock guys, took us back to where she was and was very friendly and talkative.

Since I like that whole Kitten family, I also asked to visit PK's sister Last Kitten. Ramsey Farm couldn't be better about visitors. I plan to try to get out there and see her and her foal again this year.

When it was announced that Princess Rooney was ill, but the farm manager invited people to come see her, I jumped on that. Very positive experience. Princess was a very classy, sweet old lady and Matt (mgr of Gentry Farm) and his wife couldn't have been any nicer. Also saw PR's 2 daughters, Rose Tiara and Rooney's Princess and their 3 foals.

I also visited Pepper's Pride while she was at Richland Hills. It was pretty quick, but I would say the farm was pleasant. The mare was turned out, but she and her 2 amigas were nosy and came right over to the fence.

My first mare visit was to Winning Colors at Gainesway. I don't know why farm manager Neil Howard said yes, but he did. And he was nice about it. The broodmare manager had some interesting stories about what a PITA she could be. She was not at all sociable, but her pasture buddy, G1W Dream Team, was quite an attention hog. I'm happy to say I at least got to see WC once.

Most recently, some friends and I went to Woodford TBs to see Xtra Heat. Teri, the employee who took us to where XH was, was extremely nice. She also brought us back up by the main office because one of my friends wanted to see Regal Miss Copelan. She was turned out with Turko's Turn. We also saw Win Crafty Lady and Bodhavista, who were in a nearby paddock.

While at Pauls Mill to see the stallions, Sandy told us to go up and check out the broodmare barn. Pauls Mill has really neat barns. They happened to have Get Lucky out grooming her. Pennant Champion and Miss du Bois were also up in the barn that day. I'd like to go back sometime, if possible, to get pics of some of their more notable mares.

I've had a couple of other experiences I can't really talk about, but I'm going to say that the best way to visit a farm is with friends who work there. LOL! Sorry that was so longwinded. I used to think it wasn't possible to see mares, but sometimes all you have to do is ask. The worst they can say is no, I figure.

Also, I have to give props to Three Chimneys broodmare manager Richie Donworth for being very nice to me when I went there to take pics of dray33's fillies and pretty much every time I've run into him since.

[Claim To Fame]

I've been to Denali several times to visit Serena's Song, Ipi Tombe and others. They're always very accommodating. Serena's Song herself couldn't care less, unless you have some mints for her, but it's nice to be able to see her and her kids.

I got permission to visit Precious Kitten by writing to Gretchen Jackson. She is quite nice to fans, I'd say. Mill Ridge isn't terribly accommodating, but they have a lot of mares and don't want to mess up their schedules. Or make their employees trudge out into a giant pasture to catch a mare who's already turned out. Mike Bell, in particular, has been really nice to me. I've been there to see her twice since she retired.

Airdie was very nice about visiting Proud Spell. Brereton Jones actually introduced himself to my friend and me (we already knew who he was, obv.) and thanked us for coming to see her. Ben, one of their bloodstock guys, took us back to where she was and was very friendly and talkative.

Since I like that whole Kitten family, I also asked to visit PK's sister Last Kitten. Ramsey Farm couldn't be better about visitors. I plan to try to get out there and see her and her foal again this year.

When it was announced that Princess Rooney was ill, but the farm manager invited people to come see her, I jumped on that. Very positive experience. Princess was a very classy, sweet old lady and Matt (mgr of Gentry Farm) and his wife couldn't have been any nicer. Also saw PR's 2 daughters, Rose Tiara and Rooney's Princess and their 3 foals.

I also visited Pepper's Pride while she was at Richland Hills. It was pretty quick, but I would say the farm was pleasant. The mare was turned out, but she and her 2 amigas were nosy and came right over to the fence.

My first mare visit was to Winning Colors at Gainesway. I don't know why farm manager Neil Howard said yes, but he did. And he was nice about it. The broodmare manager had some interesting stories about what a PITA she could be. She was not at all sociable, but her pasture buddy, G1W Dream Team, was quite an attention hog. I'm happy to say I at least got to see WC once.

Most recently, some friends and I went to Woodford TBs to see Xtra Heat. Teri, the employee who took us to where XH was, was extremely nice. She also brought us back up by the main office because one of my friends wanted to see Regal Miss Copelan. She was turned out with Turko's Turn. We also saw Win Crafty Lady and Bodhavista, who were in a nearby paddock.

While at Pauls Mill to see the stallions, Sandy told us to go up and check out the broodmare barn. Pauls Mill has really neat barns. They happened to have Get Lucky out grooming her. Pennant Champion and Miss du Bois were also up in the barn that day. I'd like to go back sometime, if possible, to get pics of some of their more notable mares.

I've had a couple of other experiences I can't really talk about, but I'm going to say that the best way to visit a farm is with friends who work there. LOL! Sorry that was so longwinded. I used to think it wasn't possible to see mares, but sometimes all you have to do is ask. The worst they can say is no, I figure.

Also, I have to give props to Three Chimneys broodmare manager Richie Donworth for being very nice to me when I went there to take pics of dray33's fillies and pretty much every time I've run into him since.

Excellent! I got to visit Denali last time and Serena's Song is such a doll (when you have a mint) lol. Looks great for her age, I too got to see Ibe Tombe and My White Corvette. I plan on visiting there again. Does anybodu know who else they have at Denali?

After 2 months of talking to Mill Ridge they finally gave in on Set Them Free, but the day I went it was raining and they say she loves the rain and won't come in, so they showed me her yearling which was very thoughtful, hope to get to see Set Them Free this summer. Fingers crossed!

At Normandy I got to see the foal of Hong Kong Squall, as she passed away a week before my visit.

Mt Brilliant showed me their mares, very cool place with lots of history.

I mentioned Pin Oak before on another post and Bedanken!

At Pauls Mill I was in the mare field with them and got to hang out with the mares in the pastures which was so much fun.

This summer I have plans to return to all of them and see Woodford TB's and Milford Farms.

Hoping to see Proud Spell as well.

[mariasmon]

Definitely visit Pure Symmetry, Serena's daughter, at Denali. She's very kind. And her 2010 filly was a sweetie, too. Another mare I know is there is Bobby Flay's Mrs. Kipling (IRE).

I've been trying to get to Mt. Brilliant, but they were having their polo tournaments at the time I wanted to go. Unfortunately for me, I understand that Justenuffheart (the mare I really wanted to see) has gone abroad. I hope she's just in Europe to be bred and will eventually be back. Otherwise, I'll be kicking myself for a long time.

Maybe if you drop a line to the Mosses about Set Them Free and they approve, it will be a little less complicated to see her?

[Claim To Fame]

Definitely visit Pure Symmetry, Serena's daughter, at Denali. She's very kind. And her 2010 filly was a sweetie, too. Another mare I know is there is Bobby Flay's Mrs. Kipling (IRE).

I've been trying to get to Mt. Brilliant, but they were having their polo tournaments at the time I wanted to go. Unfortunately for me, I understand that Justenuffheart (the mare I really wanted to see) has gone abroad. I hope she's just in Europe to be bred and will eventually be back. Otherwise, I'll be kicking myself for a long time.

Maybe if you drop a line to the Mosses about Set Them Free and they approve, it will be a little less complicated to see her?

I will have to keep that in mind for Denali!

I was lucky enough to visit Justenuffheart and Date Stone as well as the mare of TM Opera O...I believe or Symboli kris S, one of those mares that dropped a superstar in Japan. Justenuffheart is such a sweetheart. I hope they just bred her overseas and bring her back.

If only I knew how to get a hold of the Mosses. I LOVE Giacomo, got to see him race everytime and seen him everytime we go to Kentucky. She's my fav mare!

[Hermes]

Now does anyone wonder why the Mosses didn't send Zenyatta to Mil Ridge? They wouldn't have stood a chance with the onslaught of interest in her.

On "She doesn't like to come in when it rains." I heard, "No way am I going out in the rain to catch her for you."

[Summer Bird]

Excellent! I got to visit Denali last time and Serena's Song is such a doll (when you have a mint) lol. Looks great for her age, I too got to see Ibe Tombe and My White Corvette. I plan on visiting there again. Does anybodu know who else they have at Denali?

After 2 months of talking to Mill Ridge they finally gave in on Set Them Free, but the day I went it was raining and they say she loves the rain and won't come in, so they showed me her yearling which was very thoughtful, hope to get to see Set Them Free this summer. Fingers crossed!

At Normandy I got to see the foal of Hong Kong Squall, as she passed away a week before my visit.

Mt Brilliant showed me their mares, very cool place with lots of history.

I mentioned Pin Oak before on another post and Bedanken!

At Pauls Mill I was in the mare field with them and got to hang out with the mares in the pastures which was so much fun.

This summer I have plans to return to all of them and see Woodford TB's and Milford Farms.

Hoping to see Proud Spell as well.

Wow you are so lucky to have met Hong Kong Squall's foal!! I haven't heard anything about the foal since her mom died.

[Claim To Fame]

Wow you are so lucky to have met Hong Kong Squall's foal!! I haven't heard anything about the foal since her mom died.

She wason a nurse mare when I visited, the farm was really affected by her passing. I've sent them an email and they told me the foal is doing well and has a smart head and they are looking forward to seeing the foal grow up