Groupie Doll's First Foal's Homecoming

On a beautiful sunny day in Central Kentucky, Cathy Sweezey (left) and Mandy Pope (right) drove to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and brought home Groupie Doll’s first foal.

Photo on right by Cathy Sweezey

Sweezey and her husband Wayne own and operate Timber Town Stable in Lexington. Pope owns Whisper Hill Farm in Florida and purchased Groupie Doll for $3.1 million at the 2013 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
 
Born prematurely during a heavy snowfall on March 5 and needing critical care, Groupie Doll’s Tapit colt has had more ups and downs than most.
 
“He has grown so much in the last three weeks,” said Wayne Sweezey. "We are over the moon that the foal was viable to be what he is now. It was an expensive gamble. I have a lot of respect for Mandy.”

 ORDER THIS PHOTO

Pope and the Sweezeys credit Drs. Larry Bramlage and Bonnie Barr, and all the Rood and Riddle staff, with providing optimism and outstanding care in the foal’s early days. Dr. Barr mentioned several nicknames for the colt, including “The Groupster,” “The Man,” and “Mr. Sassy.” Having been handled by so many, the colt is bold and has no qualms giving his handlers a “hug,” trying to place his front legs on one’s shoulders.
 
The colt now weighs 200 lbs and has shown great progress from his birth weight of 75 lbs. Sweezey commented on the colt’s good muscle mass and how correct the colt is at this stage of development.

ORDER THIS PHOTO
 
“He handles everything well and loves farm life,” said Cathy Sweezey. "He has a ton of personality. A big pasture and good grass are so good for them."
 
The colt and his nurse mare “Molly” soon will be turned out with other mares and foals. The colt will stay at Timber Town until weaning time in October.
 
More updates this summer.
https://www.facebook.com/AnneEberhardtPhotos
https://twitter.com/BH_AEberhardt
 

ORDER THIS PHOTO