New Mare and Further Info About Cleo

We picked the 5yo daughter of Laura Jayne (by Mystical Shark) up last Wednesday. She has been given to us as a substitute for her mother. The mare is not named but is very likely to be registered this week as a combination of names from our neighbours kids who are learning to ride a bit here. Likely name is "Carlisha" as a composite of Carys and Elisha. The mare is big and strong. At first we thought she was stroppy but it seems she's pretty genuine but just a little arrogant, this should be managed now she is being broken in (by the fabulously brave Bevan Heron).

CLEO - It seems issue with Cleo may not be as clear-cut as first suggested. We will try to repair the matter between now and May and then reassess.

Falibility seems unrepairable

When born, Cleo had an obvious problem in that she stood over her knees. This was expected to fix itself within a short period but it hasn't happened this way. The vet is to see her today but it looks most likely that she will not be able to race (and hence we won't register or brand her). We are hoping to get a return service from Julius Caesar. She will either be put-down or given away as a possible hack when she is weaned.

Cleo arrives - Caesar's daughter is now above suspicion too

As promised, pictures of Cleo - by Julius Caesar from Olive Bromac (Holmes Hanover).

We went to visit her at Graeme Lamb's the day after she was born. She is nicely coloured with that dark marking along her spine. Like the other JC horses she is a fine looking, tall filly who will probably take a while to catch up with her long legs.

Her Mum is proud but open to contact and Vanetta was able to stroke Cleo's nose immediately, When we took nephews and neighbours' kids up to see Cleo on Sunday her curiosity was apparent in overcoming any sense of shyness or reliance upon mum.

With Dolly not being in foal, we won't have any new foals on the ground next season. However, given we have taken ownership of Laura's (deceased dam of Sophie) 5yo daughter, who is to go straight to be broken in; have Rain (Knight Rainbow-Olive Bromac) planned to be broken in too later in the year and Bella to go into full work for the Spring along with the three new fillies to come home, I guess that will be enough.

Bella in work

A photo of Bella (Now Another Look/Bossy Octopus) showing her first trotting skills at Kerry O'Reilly's place. We were impressed as she had progressed well within a few days and has progressed even further since. She was trotting so fast even our 'posh' camera couldn't keep up :))

Another b... beautiful filly

Our third filly foal for the season and second Julius Caesar "Cleo" was born this morning. We have yet to see her but Graeme (Lamb) tells me she is again a picture of a horse, as have been all the JC horses on the farm this year. My guess is 'Anotherflamingfilly' won't make the cut at HRNZ (we've had seven foals now all fillies) so we'll go for something reminiscent of this situation but not that specific name.

Photos will follow tomorrow.

Trotters Galore

As stated, we have two trotting broodmares, one Bossy Octopus (Dolly) is a three win mare (from 16 starts) by Game Pride and we have "Bella" a beautiful 2yo by Now Another Look from her who looks promising and very likely to race next season. We have tried to get her back in foal to another sire this season but have been unsuccessful. She is likely to go to Sunseeker in the Spring.

Our second trotting broodmare is Glentar (Whizzy) our original is by Gee Whiz II. We have a 2yo (Lucy) out of her and she just recently foaled another filly (Honey) both by Now Another Look. Lucy has been broken in (by Kevin Townley) but we have done no more with her since. Honey (pictured above) really is honey coloured and looks just like her Dad. It would be nice if she had a good share of his talent too.

Nature - The Balance of Life and Death

Laura Jayne and Sophie

Our second pacing broodmare - Laura Jayne, foaled a beautiful Julius Caesar filly just before Christmas. Sadly, as can happen, Laura died later in the day from internal bleeding due to a ruptured uteris. Vanetta rang everyone we know in the business as well as many we didn't. This included Trackside who kindly broadcast the situation and a contact number. We ended up being offered a Thorougbred mare "Bonnie" by Steve Montgomery and the two hit it off straight away, as if they actually were dam and foal.

Sophie is pictured here alongside of her new mum Bonnie.

A note of warning here: We had taken added insurance at a limit of $2,000 per broodmare with AMI but, as many will not be surprised, when we went to claim we were told that the cover did not include "this sort of situation". I have yet to talk to the Area Manager to see which sorts of situation the bloody thing does cover.