OFF The Track Thoroughbreds (OTTB) are plentiful in North America and Blackfoot Mystery joined the ranks of ex-racehorses looking for a new vocation after a less-than-stellar racing record. Foaled in 2004 and by the Claiborne Farm sire Out Of Place, he failed to reach his $24,000 reserve at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale and finished last twice out of his three starts in California, his total racetrack earnings $1,200.
Through the Thoroughbred Rehab Center, he found a new home with Lisa Peecook, who started his eventing career. Pennsylvania-based Kelly Prather then brought him to three-star level and by that stage the 17-hand “Red” had caught the eye of Boyd Martin.
With his respective London Olympics and 2014 WEG horses Otis Barbiere and Trading Aces, (incidentally, the Irish-bred is yet another to trace back to Milestone) retired from top level, Martin was scouting for a potential Rio Olympics horse. A syndicate was put together and Blackfoot Mystery, from the Turn-To eventing line, moved to Martin’s Windurra Farm in July 2015.
He’s the second of three Irish-breds to win the $75,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase for Martin, (Trading Aces in 2015 and Welcome Shadow this February are the other pair). Sixth place in his first four-star at Rolex Kentucky not only moved “Red” in sight of US team selection, but was an opportunity for a reunion with O’Meara, who lives just four miles from Kentucky Horse Park.
“Maureen (Gallatin) arranged it with Boyd Martin’s press secretary [Amber Heintzberger],” O’Meara explained. Work at Milestone Farm was slotted in around TV coverage of eventing last July when John, Maureen, Claiborne Farm staff and OTTB fans tuned in to cheer on “Red”.
The horse achieved a personal best dressage score (47.70), moved up to sixth after a gruelling cross-country but then two fences down saw them finish a creditable 16th overall.
World Games
With the FEI World Equestrian Games on the horizon on home ground next year, Red’s connections are undoubtedly hoping for a second US team call-up.
“Red had some downtime after last year’s Olympics and we’re bringing him back now with the World Games next year in mind. He’s feeling good and coming along well in his training. We’ve just got him cruising along and will come up with a plan for how to best prepare him for the qualification and selection process,” Boyd told The Irish Field recently.
Kentucky and the OTTB community may be downing tools again to watch their progress.
BOYD’S VERDICT
ON RED AT RIO
“I’m so thankful I was on an old racehorse from Kentucky because he kept firing the whole way home [cross-country]. He was definitely on empty coming to the last three and he just tried his heart out and jumped every jump. I was so pleased with him.”
“He’s an amazing creature. He’s not bred to do this necessarily but he’s got the mind for it. He’s got a fair bit of movement for the dressage, he’s a good enough jumper, brave and he’s a good galloper, so I definitely feel like we belong here and if I saw another that looks like him, I’d buy him as well.”