Second Week of Work Rotation

Hey everybody,

Our work rotations have been going very well. I’m enjoying my time at Gainsborough. The staff and management at Gainsborough have been phenomenal. I can’t say enough about Dean, Gary, and Bob, who collectively manage this operation. They’ve really included us in the runnings of the farm and provided us with an in depth, hands on experience that would otherwise not be possible without their generosity.

We start the mornings going around all the barns to tease the mares. It is something else seeing so many Grade/Group 1 winning and/or producing mares in one place. Last week I was lucky enough to be able to go around with Gary and feed all the mares in paddock. It was a lot of fun feeding these mares off the back of the truck. It really let me see how much quality Darley has in their broodmare band, as well as some of the successful past racehorses of Gainsborough. This week I was fortunate enough to be allowed to handle the teaser stallion while we were teasing mares on Thursday morning.

After we finish teasing the mares we join up with Dean and go around with him and the veterinarian to observe the reproductive work and evaluate any new foals. We’ve also been given the opportunity to accompany some of the mares to the breeding shed.

Our lectures and visits have been great too. Friday’s have become my favorite days. No, not because I’m tired from my week and ready for the weekend but because this is the day we usually go on our farm visits. Last week we went over to Castleton Lyons where we saw Bernstein and the rest of their operation. However, this Friday was awesome. We went to Claiborne and then went to Adena Springs. Seeing a legendary operation like Claiborne was something else. I enjoyed seeing Horse Greeley again; he has always been one of my favorite horses that I’ve worked with. Although, it was great seeing Horse Greeley again my favorite part of the trip was Claiborne’s graveyard. I know that probably sounds really morbid but it wasn’t at all. The history that the horses in that graveyard have made is mind boggling. Horses that have truly shaped the breed to what it is today. This was a trip that I will remember forever.

Well, I’ll stop boring you with details. The NBA All-Star game and Olympics are calling me, that’s my type of Valentine’s Day. I’ll catch you guys next time. Take care and Happy Valentine’s Day.