A Visit to Darley, Home of Champions, Part One

Last week we made the trek to Kentucky and made a stop at Darley, one of the farms owned by Skeikh Mohammed, who races under the name Godolphin.  The farm is gorgeous as you'd expect and home to many famous stallions.  This is one of the stallion barns.

The famous race horse, Affirmed, is buried here. He stood here before he died.  You may recall the rivalry in the mid 1970's between the famed Alydar and Affirmed.  Alydar stood at near-by Calumet when he retired.

 Street Cry, another famous stallion is also buried here. He died in 2014.  He is the sire of the famed Zenyatta, among others.  A monument is in the works for his grave.

The trophy room at Darley is full of silver.  See the replica of the Woodlawn Vase, the trophy from the Preakness which Bernardini won for Darley.

 This is the waiting room just outside the trophy room.  Keeneland was on the screen that day. 

Darley offers a wonderful tour and well worth the trip.  Stay tuned for more!

Equestrian Tablescapes

A visit to Lexington, KY over the weekend meant a visit to L.V. Harkness where the equestrian tablescapes were everywhere!  They had so many tables arranged with china, it was incredible! 

Enjoy your Monday!

Farm Favorites - Products I Love

Over the years you tend to get hooked on products and use them over and over again. They become part of your routine. Here are a few things that I simply could not do without today here on the farm. 

I recently switched to this brand of horse feed after hearing so many great things about it from my friends who keep their horses at home.  While my crew lives on air and doesn't get a lot of grain, I am happy to report that the quality of this feed is excellent, the price point good and the horses love it!

(Pro Elite)

When I broke my arm a few years ago and had to find efficiencies in my barn chore routine, I bought a Newer Spreader. Life has not been the same since.  This little contraption has saved my arm, my back and my time.  If you have a small operation, this is the perfect tool for barn chores.  I can put 4-5 muck buckets in it and I empty it on the cow field (a pasture I don't ever use for the horses).  It is simple to use and it has been a life saver.  It can go in the barn easily and it's lightweight enough to be pulled by a riding lawn mower, a small tractor or a 4-wheeler.

 (Newer Spreader)

In the winter months, I wear this little beauty every morning and every evening.  I'm sad to report that I have not retired it yet for spring as it's so darn cold right now that I still need to wrap myself in this baby.  Nothing is warmer than this. I won't win any Vogue fashion awards wearing it but sometimes warmth is more important.  Mine is wearing out, so next fall I'm on the hunt for a replacement.  You can always tuck an Hermes scarf around the neck to make it a little prettier.  Mine is hunter green.

(Carthartt Suit)

A few years ago, after the arm incident, I worked on ways to make my barn chores easier.  We ended up buying a 4-wheeler, but one for "old people" - at least that is what the salesman told us.  This is another contraption that I could not do without today. Yes, they are expensive, but worth every penny. I use it to drag my ring, pull the spreaders, move hay and water, and I use it in the yard (with a cart) to pick up sticks, leaves, move bags of fertilizer, etc. It's an all-purpose vehicle for sure.  In winter it starts right up, no matter how cold it is.  

(Polaris ACE)

Farm life is fun, but it's a lot of work and you have to find ways to make it easier, more comfortable and efficient.  Any suggestions from your own experience?

The Real Derby Prep Races

If you are snowed in this weekend, it may be a good thing after all, as there are some exceptional Derby prep races this Saturday which you should be able to find on-line or on television late Saturday afternoon. 

The Derby may the be the fastest two minutes in sports but if you relish good horse racing, Saturday's line-up will be much better than the Derby in my opinion.  There are three races, all hotly contested, with room for upsets. 

The Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland
Good Magic, the top two-year-old last year, will be leading the charge this Saturday at Keeneland in the G2 Blue Grass Stakes and needs to demonstrate his two-year-old form as a three-year-old.  The son of Curlin has not shown his winning form so far this year.  Will he show up at Keeneland?  The field is packed with other winners as well, with G1 winner, Free Drop Billy, Flameaway, who has won five of his eight starts, Tampa Bay Derby winner, Quip, among others. The field of 14 will produce a "win and your in" trip to the Derby next month.  The weather looks to be awful but it shouldn't take anything away from this competitive field.  Post time is 6:23 pm EDT.

(Free Drop Billy - The Blood Horse)

Wood Memorial at Aqueduct
In New York, another group filled with talent will battle it out for final Derby points.  Enticed is already in for the Derby but one more win will boost his odds for sure.  Others to watch include Bob Baffert-trained Solomini, Todd Pletcher-trained Vino Rosso and Firenze Fire who will need a win or place to get into the Derby. 

(Firenze Fire - Blood Horse Photo)

Santa Anita Derby
But the real race will be on the West Coast at Santa Anita, as the hyped Justify, who has yet to run in a stakes race, will face off with Bolt D' Oro, one of the top two favorites at the moment for the Derby.  Baffert has kept this striking chestnut cold under wraps but when he does talk about him, you wonder if he has another American Pharoah on his hands.  There are some similarities.  Justify will need to finish in the top two to make the trek to Churchill Downs.  My television set will be on for sure on Saturday night.  This may be a real horse race.

 (Bolt D'Oro)

(Justify - Blood Horse Photo)

By late Saturday, we'll know who the real Derby favorite will be. Stay tuned.  This is one of the deepest Derby fields in years. 

Target for Hunter Collaboration

Coming April 14th and certainly expected to be a sell-out, the Target-Hunter Collaboration is what Target does best (and why don't they do this more often?).  Boots, clothing, accessories and gear for the entire family at fabulous prices, what's not to love?  See the entire collection here.

Setting Your Spring Table

It's been difficult to get into that "spring mode" when it's 35 degrees, raining, or even snowing, depending on where you live.  We've yet to pull out the patio furniture and we typically are dining outside by now.  Where is spring?  It left last year and maybe it's not coming this year!  But I am trying desperately to get into the mood.

I ordered these plates from Williams-Sonoma (the bunny crush) and they are greatly reduced now so if you love them, it's worth the plunge.  Quality is very good and the colors are vivid.   I have the dinner plate and the salad plates.  Mix and match with plain white china if it's too much for your table. 

I love the entire collection:

Add some tan or blue/aqua napkins depending on your place mat selection. I used blue as I have some tan burlap place mats that go well with the brown bunny.

 These napkins are quite versatile and would work and could be used forever.  I would use a white or off-white linen place mat.  Otherwise, you'd have too much brown.

Or you could add these bunny napkins (so adorable):

 These place mats would also go well with the bunny plates:

This flatware has been on my wish list for a few years now:

These wine glasses (also greatly reduced) would also add a bit of elegance to your spring table:

Add a few topiaries for your table.  You can always find places for these.

Bunnies are not just for Easter. Use them on your table from early March through the summer.  Hop to it!