Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

Bold Lad — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 22:15:04 GMT

I was around 11 years old as well when I got hooked. It was easier then because racing was still in the sports section of the news papers and on TV more frequently. Bold Lad was the one who got me. It was the 60's so Kelso, Dr. Fager and Buckpasser hold spots in my heart as well. I still remember them clearly.

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

Windolin — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:42:53 GMT

Beautiful! Brought tears from feeling your passion in my heart.

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Debbiek — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 03:59:04 GMT

Alexa, I just love your story. I, too, had a filly/mare touch my heart the way that Ashado did yours. Genuine Risk was my girl and I love her to this day as much as I did the day I watched her win her Derby. I was never fortunate enough to meet her, but I always felt like we were kindred spirits. She was only able to have two babies and I was only lucky enough to have one (I lost two before her) and I always felt like maybe she felt the way I did when I lost mine. I cried for hours when she died, but I knew that she had lived a good life, and maybe, just maybe she was then reunited with those she had lost. And as for your excitement when you got to meet her, I am 50 years old and last autumn I got to meet one of my loves, Tinners Way, I felt the same way as your 11 year old self did when you met Ashado. I slept very little the night before and my husband told me I was just like a little kid at Christmas. That was okay with me, as I felt exactly like that!! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Please come back again and share some more with us. Steve, thank you for sharing all of your guests with us :)

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

Jackie WV — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 18:25:28 GMT

Alexa,

If you ever do write that novel about Rachel, I'll be the first in line to buy it!! My sister lives in Lexington and has connections at most of the farms (including Darley). The next time I make it to town and to Darley, I'll be sure to look you up. Sounds like we'd have a lot to talk about. Take care!

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

sara futh — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 17:30:34 GMT

Lovely story, well written too. \This is what horse racing should be all about.

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Gordon Tallman — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 17:13:06 GMT

Alexa, thank you for sharing. It is amazing how these magnificent creatures work their way into our hearts. Though I have been professionally involved in the Thoroughbred industry for much of my adult life, I still remember well being a star struck child.

In November of 2011 I visited Kentucky. At Old Friends, I got to see Gulch, Afternoon Deelites and Sunshine Forever. The Kentucky Horse Park provided an opportunity to see Cigar, Funny Cide and Da Hoss. And at Three Chimneys, I stood by the side of Point Given and had my picture taken with him. It was like being a kid all over again!

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

Proud Acres — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 12:45:42 GMT

Love these animals, thank you for sharing.

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

winningcolors88 — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 04:14:24 GMT

Alexa,

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It reminds me of some great memories I have of Kentucky. I was working that November sale at Keeneland when Ashado sold. I have worked many sales but that one sticks out in my mind. I too was a fan of Ashado and remember it vividly. I was able to sneak away from the barn for a short time and watch her in the walking ring. I was so excited to see her in person. She was pure elegance and class. I still have that catalog, with 9 million written in the top corner, one of only a few that I saved. I was fortunate to meet and work with many great racehorses over the years, too many to name here. My years in the horse industry are pretty much over, I work an occasional sale when I can. My primary responsibility now is being a mom to a 14 month old little boy. I cherish those years when my days were filled with broodmares & their foals, weanlings and yearlings. As you can see from my username there was a filly who stole my heart as well. I was 8 years old when I watched Gary Stevens ride Winning Colors to win the Kentucky Derby and I was never the same. Winning Colors inspired a city girl from the suburbs of Detroit to follow her dream and work in the thoroughbred industry in Kentucky. Those were some of the best years of my life and I owe them all to a horse. I too was able to meet the horse who changed my life. She didn't want a whole lot to do with me. Her colt had just been weaned and she was enjoying her first day of peace and quiet. That didn't matter, just being able to look her in the eye and say thank you was enough for me. It is not always easy working in the industry, there are plenty of challenges. However you won't regret any of the trials when you get to live a life full of love and passion, in the presence of one of God's most magnificent creations. Some advice someone shared with me, I would like to share with you, don't ever lose the awe you had as a little girl for these amazing animals. It is easy to take them for granted when it is your job day after day. They will teach you so many things, appreciate that each and every day. Good Luck in your career! It sounds as though you have a bright future ahead of you!

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

Paula Higgins — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 03:53:37 GMT

What a wonderful, well written article! Very enjoyable Alexa. Thank you for taking the time to write this. It made me very happy to see Funny Cide mentioned and of course, the glorious Rachel as well. I knew nothing about Ashado but now I do thanks to your excellent piece. These are memories for a lifetime and thank you again for sharing them with all of us.

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

Alexa Ravit — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:40:17 GMT

Thank you all so much for your kind comments! I'm so glad that you enjoyed reading about a mare who means so much to me!

Jackie:

I had a similar experience when I got to meet Rachel for the second(!) time last October. There was a group of us, and Rachel was just turned out into her paddock with Hot Dixie Chick. While she initially hung out with us, Rachel then decided to walk toward and graze in the middle of the paddock. I walked away from the main group to a different part of the fence so I could get a better view of her face, and Rachel suddenly lifted her head up and started ambling toward me. I figured that she would make a detour to the large group of people, but no, she walked right over to me, and I got to have a few moments with her to myself before everyone came over to join us. I could write three novels on Rachel, but it still wouldn't be enough to appropriately express how she has affected me.

When it comes to my experiences with Ashado, I often look at my pictures of her to make sure that it was not a dream. 11 year old me still can't believe it.

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

Bellwether — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 20:37:15 GMT

Thank You for a wonderful piece on a wonderful Horse...

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Old Old Cat — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 20:12:10 GMT

Steve Haskins, Himself, could not have written it any better, nor with any more restrained emotion.

Thank you both.

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barryaksarben — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 16:47:07 GMT

I am an old horse fan and was alot older than 11 when Ashado began her carrer but was an imediate fan and have been waiting for her to get into the Hall of Fame - she was a true champion and was so much fun to watch. She is one of my all time favorite horses

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

Jackie WV — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:29:17 GMT

Steve,

Thanks so much for posting this beautiful piece of writing from Alexa!!

Alexa,

Thank you for putting into words what I've been unable to do for the past 4 years. Your quote about Rachel....."Rachel elicits the strongest emotional connection that I've ever felt toward any horse, and probably ever will" is exactly how I feel but never know how to explain to anyone that asks me why? I was smiling when I read about your first encounter with Ashado because it was so much like my visit with Rachel this past spring. I was so excited knowing I was finally going to get to see her that I could barely sleep the night before. When I walked up to the pasture fence line, she was grazing a pretty good ways away and I couldn't seem to get her attention at all. I waited for 20 minutes and so desperately wanted to see her up close and pet her, but she wanted no part of it. Then when I was finally ready to give up and started walking away, all of the sudden she came at a full gallop up to the fence to greet me. It was the most amazing feeling....my heart was racing and I had butterflies in my stomach!! I was actually touching Rachel. And although I know it was probably my imagination, I felt like she was happy to see her biggest fan.

Beautiful writing Alexa.....I enjoyed every word! You have a bright future ahead of you and I wish you all the best!!

re: Haskin Guest Blog: Loving Ashado

BelmontBarb — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 02:43:20 GMT

Ashado was a victorious and vibrant figure in racing and well deserving of the Hall of Fame amongst the greats. She represents strength and courage that placed her there and the unexpected gentleness that one never can be too sure about when standing in the stall of a gallant girl with an inquisitive foal ~ nonetheless her intelligence is above and beyond as she was formed into the mare of maturity and mother of preciousness. Eloquent and proud of past performance and wearing the coat that fits her -she stands with head held high, accomplished and honored and "ultimately" a "legacy" and successful ~ as you will be Alexa Ravit because "passion" is the most important thing anyone can hold and feel and touch - it is what makes things happen - it is the only thing to depend on and since you are aware of yours - you will not need to "hopefully" make it a career for it has already begun ~ right here along with Steve Haskin and the rest of us......Thank you both for your "passion".

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Danette — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 21:50:23 GMT

Absolutely beautiful Alexa. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

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jockey2be — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 21:33:49 GMT

LOVE this article!Really knew where she was coming from,myself a victim of falling in love with so many racehorses!

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Tiz Herself — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 20:59:30 GMT

Beautifully written Alexa Ravit! The passion that you have is what makes racing so special. It would also be a huge dream of mine to see Ashado in person. There have been so many mares that have come and gone from the racing scene. Like you, I was brought into the sport by a horse, his name was Skip Away. I was a few months short of visiting my hero (I fell in love with him when I was 11!!! lol) as Skippy passed in May of 2010 and I visited Kentucky for the first time in October that year for the Breeders Cup.

Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Ermine, Octave, Folklore, Princess of Sylmar, Beholder, Groupie Doll, Azeri, Serena's Song, Mariah's Storm, Silverbulletday, Miesque, Ajina, Escena, Proud Spell, Believe You Can, Pepper's Pride, Sightseek, Rags to Riches, Blind Luck, Plum Pretty, Havre de Grace, Inside Information, Smuggler, Honey Ryder, Royal Delta, Storm Flag Flying, Forever Together, Ventura, Ginger Punch, Surfside, Lady of Venice, Kauai Katie, Six Perfections, Makybe Diva, Life is Sweet, Awesome Feather, Winter Memories,

Awesome Maria, Midday, Joyful Victory, Stardom Bound, No Such Word, Unrivaled Belle, Indian Blessing, Tough Tiz's Sis, Sweet Catomine, Evening Jewel, Life At Ten, Zazu, Gorella, Wait a While, Informed Decision, Broadway's Alibi, Pachattack, Panty Raid, Miraculous Miss, Proviso, Malibu Mint, Magnificience, Cassatt... just some of the many mares that have followed that would love to see in person and do not always hear about after. Of course there are some that are no longer state side which makes it more difficult... Facebook definitely helps with keeping up with horses now a days.

There are lots of geldings who disappear over time too... was delighted to see Perfect Drift back in the public eye as he escorted California Chrome to the gate for the Derby. Would love to meet both "Dans" sometime... Funny Cide, to meet him again as met him at KY Horse Park, Lava Man, The Tin Man, Better Talk Now, Mine That Bird, Amazombie, Brass Hat, Game on Dude, Presious Passion, Cloudy's Knight, Cost of Freedom, California Flag, Rapid Redux, Commentator (again!), Caracortado... that list goes on. lol.

Great piece though, thoroughly enjoyed, give Ashado a kiss for me!

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longtimeracingfan — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 19:43:20 GMT

What a nice essay, and what a nice vignette of a great mare, past and present. Alexa, Steve, thank you.

It's STILL all about the HORSES. No matter what.

Alexa, hope you find yourself a great position in racing or stud farm work, we need folks like you. Good luck.

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dance with fate — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 19:26:20 GMT

Thanking Alexa Ravit for her wonderful story about Ashado. Her words are inspiring, as is Ashado, who's so deserving of the Hall of Fame. Best wishes to Ms. Ravit in her equine career and to Ashado. Mr. Haskin, here is another writer who captures the spirit of, & love for, the thoroughbred.

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steve from st louis — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 18:54:07 GMT

Alexa, your life is at a crossroads and you probably don't even realize it. Through your good fortune and hard work, you have achieved your life's goal of first seeing your hero up close but even more impressively spending amazing personal moments that will live forever in your mind. As hard as it may seem, now you must set your sights and goals even higher and your achievements will follow. Somehow, I think you're up to it.

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Aluminaut — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 18:48:37 GMT

Great blog Alexa. Must have been exciting to spend last summer at Gainesway. I spent my teens hands on with our mares, and you're right, the colts can be mouthy. I used to get in trouble for letting the foals put their heads in my lap and sleep.

Thanks for the update on Ashado.

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Anncat — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 18:43:17 GMT

Thanks, Alexa, for a wonderful piece of writing. I'm 74. It's nice to know that other 11-year-olds have had my long-ago dream and made it come true.

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Quintal — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 18:29:01 GMT

O.K., that one made me cry.

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Peggy in California — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 18:16:57 GMT

Thank you for writing about Ashado, Alexa. Your descriptions of her present life and her past fame made me wish I had known her. How lucky you are to have had a chance to spend time with her. I too am a Rachel Alexandra fan. I didn't know that her eyes had a "wild" look. Perhaps that's her competetiveness still showing. Good luck with whatever lies ahead in your future.