Latest news with #Zenyatta
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hope runs high on Kentucky farms during foaling season
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — People driving on Military Pike in southwestern Fayette County shouldn't be so noisy when passing Winter Quarter Farm. There are babies asleep in the fields and other newborns trying to focus on their mothers. At farms all over the Bluegrass, foals will be born at a rapid pace in April and May. 'Every birth is very exciting, and to see these young foals running around, it's just the promise,' said Don Robinson, owner and manager at Winter Quarter Farm. Hope runs high on Kentucky farms during foaling season Kentucky's first public school mariachi band fosters cultural pride Starting early: 11-year-old Lexington boy says he's running for Congress He is proud of the thoroughbreds raised on this family farm; some of them are his, some have other owners. 'We are a bit like investment bankers,' Robinson explained, noting that most horse owners don't have farms. 'We keep their horses. We manage their equine portfolio. So, their horses reside here, we raise them, we advise them on breeding, and we consign and sell the horses at Keeneland and Fasig Tipton at auction.' All of the horses at Winter Quarter Farm will be prepared for racing or auction, and Robinson says there's no better place to raise a foal than central Kentucky. He's an advocate for the land, with mineral-rich soil that produces grass full of calcium, which makes for strong bones. 'It's God-given with the limestone underlayment and high phosphorus content of the soil,' he said. 'It is magic earth here. It's more than just because we love it and it's beautiful. It's productive, and it's considered endangered.' Read more Spirit of the Bluegrass stories Winter Quarter Farm is part of the Purchased Development Rights program, meaning the Fayette County government paid him to protect his land from future development. Robinson has 389 acres of the more than 33,000 acres that have been protected on nearly 300 farms. He is also one of a growing number of farm owners using solar power in his barns, saying that it has cut his electric bills nearly in half. Each spring, Robinson wonders if one of the foals on his farm will be a future champion. In 2005, his medium-sized farm was home to a giant of a yearling named Zenyatta. 'It ensured my reputation. It was a huge plus.' Zenyatta seemed unimpressive at first and sold for just $60,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale, where horses often sell for a million dollars or more. Four years later, she was the first mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic and was Horse of the Year in 2010. She won 19 out of 20 races in her career. Art project opens windows into Lexington's past: 'I Was Here' Robinson said no one could have predicted Zenyatta's success. 'Sometimes you can see it, often not.' Even non-horse owners can relate to the emotions that come with foaling season. The Jockey Club estimates that there are nearly 12,000 foals born in Kentucky each year. Only about 30 of them will be raised at Winter Quarter Farm. But somewhere in the mix of large and small farms across the state, there could be a future Kentucky Derby winner. You never know how your little ones will turn out. You just try to give them a good home and raise them right. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Preserving horse racing's colorful past: Georgetown honors Black blacksmiths
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (FOX 56) — Horse racing runs deep not only through Kentucky's history but also through generations of African Americans. In Scott County, Georgetown is honoring one of the industry's best Black blacksmiths, Terry Thomas. Thomas has nearly 30 years of experience shoeing and trimming high-end thoroughbreds across central Kentucky. He got his foot in the door with help from Johnny Collins, a beloved blacksmith who worked on champion racehorses, including the 2010 American Horse of the Year, Zenyatta. Thomas' reputation is top-tier, as well. Meet the man who played a vital role in the integration of the University of Kentucky 'I can say this, and I'm comfortable in saying this,' said Thomas. 'I'm one of the best Black blacksmiths, probably in the world.' Horse racing trainers, breeders, and jockeys often get a lot of attention, but now blacksmiths are sharing some of the spotlight in Georgetown. The city is raising flags downtown to honor Thomas and other Black blacksmiths' service to the sport. 'It's all about the horses that I've done.,' said Thomas. 'Not really trying to brag, but I've done the best horses in the world.' Dying to serve: Kentuckian among dozens of recruits who died nationwide while training to become police officers Preserving horse racing's colorful past: Georgetown honors Black blacksmiths Meet the man who played a vital role in the integration of the University of Kentucky A blacksmith's job is demanding. Thomas had a long list of colt clients, including Smarty Jones, Big Brown, and Justify. However, the job is sometimes dangerous. About eight months ago, Thomas suffered a career-ending injury and is now saddled with different responsibilities. Thomas is the cofounder of 'Echoes of Our Ancestors' with Barry Tilford. The pair puts together presentations to celebrate the achievements of African Americans. 'There are some people who have the stories, and we're making a platform,' said Tilford. Read more of the latest horse racing news Harry Lewis and Oscar Dishman are just two names of Black thoroughbred industry pioneers and innovators from Scott County, but Tilford and Thomas said there aren't many more and fear their names may be forgotten, so they've invested thousands of dollars into the nonprofit to preserve the sport's colorful past and pave the way for the next generation. 'We're just trying to get people to know that Scott County has some big boys,' said Thomas. 'African Americans are still in this, and we're doing great work. There aren't very many of us, but the ones that I know in it are at the highest level.' 'Echoes of Our Ancestors' is hosting its 2nd Annual Prayer Breakfast Concert on Feb. 22. For more information and details on other upcoming events, visit the nonprofit's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
