Write Words - by Karen Johnson

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

dan — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:52:41 GMT

Karen,

Great story, I hope that one day your dad's "big horse" will come back here to the states. What a thrilling win in 2002 at Arlington.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Dennis Milligan — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:03:28 GMT

Karen, I was touched by your story as I read it, then I realized that hip #4973 which I purchased at the november sale (11-15) was connected to the family of Rewrite.Your mare is under the second dam of my mare. I can only hope that my mare could produce a foal that would provide as many memories as Rewrite provided you and your family

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

bluegrass kat 1 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:29:45 GMT

great story karen . i had to sell a few broodmares at the fasig tipton sale .here recently it was the hardest thing id done in 20 yrs.

god bless our horses

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Mint Hill Farm — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:00:19 GMT

You did what was best economically for you and your family. Rewrite will be a well cared for broodmare at a great farm. I am sure your parents are very proud of all of you. I know you will be so thrilled to watch her babies grow!

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Anne — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:07:04 GMT

Karen,

I use to listen to your dad years ago on the Harvey Pack show. He always had something interesting to say and it always involved his love for the game and his horses. I also read your columns and saw the same spark. I know this is an expensive game and you and your sister painfully decided it was the only thing to do or you would not have sold her. I could not do it myself as I cry over horses(not even mine)that I love, being sold to foreign intersts or fillies/mares/stallions - retiring never to be seen again.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

BlueHen — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:57:01 GMT

Thank you for a nice story. I recently had to say goodbye to a horse who wasn't even mine and THAT was hard; so I can only imagine how you feel. I hope your mare is as loved in her new place as she was in yours.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

JudiO — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:07:43 GMT

Nicely written - moving thoughts to all horse owners. So glad she fulfilled your father's expectations with your help. Here's wishing Rewrite lots of wonderful babies.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Sean Clancy — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 01:01:00 GMT

For those of you who can't understand why Karen sold Rewrite, it too, is part of P.G. Johnson's lasting legacy. The only reason there was a Rewrite is because Mr. Johnson sold his horses when the time was right. If he didn't understand the business side of the sport and didn't pass this on to Karen, there would be no Rewrite and there certainly wouldn't be any way Karen could afford to keep a Rewrite.

I galloped for him during a few summers at Saratoga and he gave me horses that needed new venues. He'd give them to me and tell me, 'Find them a good home, if you can make some money, make it.' All of them could have been squeezed to the last drop, instead he gave them a chance. The last one was Rescigno, he's still going strong on the Maryland turf.

As much as we love this game and love these horses, the only way to keep playing (for most of us) is to sell some of the horses along the way. It's gut-wrenching, and it's meant to be that way.

Karen and her sister are no dummies, they took the risk, rolled the dice, kept their money on the table for a long and incredible ride. Rewrite enjoyed a lucrative career and it was time to sell her to be a broodmare, just like P.G. would have done.

There is a time for goodbyes.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Linny — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:24:40 GMT

What a beautiful article. I have followed Rewrite from the start.. It must be so sad to part with her.

(As an aside, Ms. Johnson if you can read my email, please send me a note. I have something I'd like to send you, regarding your father.)

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Bert — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:30:54 GMT

Rewrite earned over $450,000 and sold for $260,000 to Adena Springs

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Bellwether — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:34:45 GMT

seems only a RACE HORSE can do me that way...TEARS & CHEERS!!!Long Live Peppers Pride!!!

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

$BILL — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:10:02 GMT

nice article, i rubbed high schemes @ ocala stud & after she won the coaching club & i was back in n.y your dad let me go in & see her, he was a real class act

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Gary — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:32:32 GMT

Hi Karen,

I remember Rewrite’s last win well, I had the exacta. J’ray was the favorite that day and Rewrite was second favorite. She came off the pace, four wide and battled determinedly with Factual Contender, trained by your Dad’s friend Barclay Tagg. I had it boxed but she prevailed after a long drive to win by a neck.

It’s hard to let go, but keep your chin up, we all have to go through it sooner or later.

Good luck, great story, long live Volponi

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Holly — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:55:46 GMT

Karen,

I galloped horses for your father many years ago at Belmont. He gave me a chance when no one else would. He was a wonderful man and a great trainer, and I am sure you and your sister cherish many wonderful memories.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

PilotMal — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:12:53 GMT

I'm sorry that you had to say good-bye to your mare. At least you can go visit her - I'm sure Adena won't have any problem with that.

Its nice to see that not all people in the industry are "in it for the money" and actually, genuinely love the horses they own and work with. Good on you for that - setting an example for the rest of the Thoroughbred industry. We need more people who are this compassionate towards the animals, and not just their pocket books.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Emma — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:23:06 GMT

This was fabulous Karen!

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

John G. Veitch — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:27:04 GMT

Very good Karen, we all become attached to our horses. It's so tough to let them go.

Your dad was a great Trainer.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:59:33 GMT

>>Sort of like being adopted as a child, don't you think?

Well, yes, but children aren't auctioned off to the highest bidder, and there is government oversight for the protection of children, adopted and otherwise.

This is a wonderful story - what a great way to honor your father's memory by racing his "something special" 2yo, and what good fortune that she had a successful career, too.

I am sure that the author has made plans to monitor Rewrite's future movements. Even though the first, second, or third in a string of owners might be kind, it only takes a little stroke of bad luck to put a horse in a very bad place.

Good luck, Rewrite.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Jack Wolferseder — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:24:42 GMT

This game tears us apart especially when it's time to say good-bye. Time goes by and before you know it you'll cheering for her foals as they thunder down the lane just like their mom.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Gayle Frasier — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:03:16 GMT

Sad story-I have 3 broodmares (1 is barren so only a pet) I work full time to support myself then work weekends to support my horses-I would never sell them unless absolutely forced to do so for health reasons (mine not theirs)But everyone is different-If rewrite went to adena Springs, she will be well taken care of if not loved-

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

normajean81258 — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:53:45 GMT

It is a great story, just what I love reading about. But after keeping her, and telling this story, you never said why you decided to sell her now.

Just curious....

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Tiffanie K — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:40:01 GMT

Brambles, I'm very young, love horses and hope to get involved in the industry here in my home state of Kentucky.

Karen obviously loved this horse and her parents.

It's very clear in the article that they were financially unable to keep the entire operation afloat.

Good for you if you can, I have friends and their parents are facing the same thing. If you don't have the money to take care of the horses why would you keep them and have them receive less than they could with someone else.

Sort of like being adopted as a child, don't you think?

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Rick S — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:24:51 GMT

I'm glad I have a big box of Kleenex next to me...

Nice story Karen... Sorry I missed getting that picture of her for you.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Brambles — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:47:57 GMT

If you loved this mare who gave you everything you could ask for, how could you sell her? I can never understand that sort of behavior. We were small too, but we kept ours.

re: Write Words - by Karen Johnson

Glenye Oakford — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:30:25 GMT

Hi, Karen! Great piece. I was sad to see Rewrite in the catalog. What fun you've had with her! I hope you'll be able to stay in touch with her now that she's at Adena Springs.