Because of the continued interest, I thought it might be nice to update everyone on the status of La Ville Rouge and Lentenor, who are both currently at Mill Ridge Farm near Lexington.
Headley Bell, the managing partner of the farm, was kind enough to introduce me to these two members of one of racing’s favorite families. A video is posted on bloodhorse.com and photos are posted below.
(Note: I am sorry to have to do this, but copies of the photos in this blog are showing up on various websites without their copyright mark. So, I have shrunk the pictures. I tried to leave them larger for your enjoyment, and didn't want to make the copyright mark intrusive, but I guess I should have known someone would ruin it for the group.)
Here is the link for the video: http://www.bloodhorse.com/Videos/SectionVideo/903D5829-039A-40BE-9C77-0618433978DE.htm
First, Headley took us to the yearling barn where Lentenor is kept. On an incredibly lovely day for mid-August, the well-behaved colt stood for photos and then was walked. He was kind, curious, and very mellow.
“He is a fairly independent colt, as they all are,” said Bell. “They all enjoy playing, romping, and being boys. He hasn’t had any issues, and everything has been good with him so far.”
Lentenor is enjoying his life as a yearling. If all goes according to plan, he is to remain at Mill Ridge until mid-October, which is when he will leave to begin training for his racing career.
“He comes in about 10 a.m. after we have done all the sales prep with our other yearlings,” said Bell of Lentenor’s routine. “He stays in until about 2:30, and then he goes back out. They are groomed every day and checked on every day, but they are treated like horses and enjoy nature.”
Next, we drove over to another area of the farm. La Ville Rouge had been brought in from the fields and cleaned up for us. She also posed for pictures and then was walked. Her buddy was in a barn nearby, and she kept up a steady conversation with her. La Ville Rouge, who has a strikingly pretty face, was also curious about some cattle nearby, as she does not often see them.
“La Ville Rouge is back with the rest of the mares that are in foal in a similar stage of pregnancy,” said Bell. “They are out all day long and all night long. They get checked on twice a day, fed hay, and treated like mares. They are enjoying nature’s way.”
La Ville Rouge is in foal to Dynaformer and is due in late February. She is carrying a full brother to Barbaro, Nicanor, and Lentenor.
