March 15, 2006 - at Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington, Ky., La Ville Rouge slips into the secretive labor that equine mothers are so skillful at maintaining. Anticipation is running high. The mare, at least two weeks past her due date, waited until she was good and ready. Now is the time.
The foal is born without complication, fawn-like forelegs sliding to the ground, front right pastern encircled in white, hind left ankle marked the same way. A fuzzy bay colt with a white splotch that trickles down to a wider snip between flared nostrils, he is the perfect blend of pedigree and conformation. Good stature. Good balance. Good bone.
It may be simple to handle a foal, much easier than the management of a racehorse in training. But the best part is to start out with that Thoroughbred, to watch him grow and mature, to keep track of his racing career, to see him go off and reach his utmost potential. That experience, when successful, is incredibly fulfilling.
Soon, the colt will be gamboling about the fields under his dam's close supervision, one of those foals who never does anything wrong. He won't get into trouble, but at the same time will remain competitive. High up in the pecking order, he'll become precocious among his peers.
La Ville Rouge will tolerate the colt's frisky antics with extreme patience. Good-minded but a definite leader, she demonstrates the quiet toughness her foal will soon mirror. Those who watch him mature will see her determination shining through.
But in the quiet moments after his arrival in the deeply-bedded stall of this farm in the bluegrass, the son of Dynaformer portrays the very character of the Thoroughbred industry. Delicate. Beautiful. Somewhat wobbly, but inwardly strong.
He represents new beginnings. Another chance at greatness.
Thanks to Lori Bessenbacher and Bayne Welker Jr. of Mill Ridge Farm for contributing thoughts on this entry.
