Another week, another milestone development here at Bushman Thoroughbreds. Four of our yearlings have just reached Margaux Farm, where their education as racehorses will finally begin.
It’s a moment we’ve been waiting for. Watching these horses grow up has been a joy, and from here the lessons get longer. Now, they will focus on starting and training in this 640-acre farm. It’s a fine place for our yearlings to meet their new saddle, with the Margaux Farm team giving them the patience and space they need to make up their own mind.
Here are the four:
- Equintessential: A filly by Essential Quality out of our mare, Corbita. Her sire was the champion two-year-old colt of 2020, winning the Breeders’ Cup juvenile that year and the Belmont Stakes in 2021. Corbita – Arrogate’s daughter – has the good page and calm temperament we look for in a mare.
- Exclusivity: A filly by Golden Pal out of Bacchanalia. She is the dam of Party Animal, who now races under Bushman Thoroughbreds silks. Golden Pal was a high performer from an early age and famous for his speed out of the gate. He won two Breeders’ Cup races, the Juvenile Turf Sprint at two years-old and the Turf Sprint at three. Bacchanalia, meanwhile, is a well-made daughter of Union Rags, with impressive speed and a level head.
- Mormaer: A Colt by McKinzie out of Scripps. Mormaer is one of our band’s foundation mares. McKinzie needs little introduction as a four-time Grade 1 winner, running at top level for several years.
- Norah’s Code: And finally, our latest arrival who came to us at this year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale. A filly by Hall of Famer and two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin, out of the stakes-winning mare, Josie. You can learn more about the story of Norah’s Code here.
Between them, these horses draw on the speed of a Breeders’ Cup turf sprinter and the stamina of a Belmont winner. Combined with the class of Curlin and McKinzie, we have high hopes for what the future holds.
At Margaux Farms, each horse will learn to accept a tack and carry a rider. One may take it at once and another may want to think it over. It’s all part of the magic of this sport, and one of the many reasons why we love these animals.
All questions will be answered next year. With the horsemen at Marguax and the veterinarians and bloodstock around our program, we’re confident that all four will have the best possible opportunity.
Watch this space. Pictures and further updates will tell the stories of how they settle in.
