Welcome to Barbee's Blog!
A Window On My World

This is not a daily blog.
Posts will be published on occasion and irregularly as I am able.
Some of these posts are from my web site The Garden At Crocker Croft.
Barbee's Little Shop Is the sales branch of my blog and web site. divider

Saturday, February 07, 2015

Horses again

It's that time of year! Keenland has finished running here in Lexington until the fall meet in October. We are approaching Kentucky's "holy day"... the Kentucky Derby will be run this Saturday.

I decided to re-run an old post I wrote about the horse industry in Kentucky. It is as follows.

Not everyone is interested in horses, but of those who are, most know about the legendary Kentucky horses.

I was reminded of a post I wrote for my website when I picked up our local newspaper one day this week. Front page featured an article about opening day at Keeneland's January sales, including a four column photograph of the beautiful mare Azeri, who was 2002's Horse of the Year.

Apparently the economic recession has reached even into the pockets of the rich and famous in horse-world circles. This week the high and final bid for Azeri was $4.4 million, but that did not reach the seller's reserve... therefore, no sale. Last year her first foal, Vallenzeri, failed to sell at a bid of $7.7 million.

If these prices intrigue you, or if you just enjoy reading about the horse industry, you may be interested in reading the post I referred to. The post was written for a group of approximately thirty friends who were coming here to attend a day at charming Keeneland thoroughbred race tract during beautiful October. They had never been to a horse race before. The post served to prepare them by giving background information.

If you are interested here is the link: Horses.

23 comments:

Inger said...

That was a great article, Horses. It must be lovely to live in that area. Your own garden must be in full spring bloom now. I love horses and used to ride them as a child and young person. It must be so gorgeous where you live.
I want to thank you for your early support of my blog. I will never forget how much you helped me when I knew nothing about blogging. It has now become a creative outlet for me, where I jump up in the morning and wonder what I will write and what will appear in front of my camera. I think it is very important as we get older to have a creative passion of some sort or other. So thank you my dear friend.

Barbee' said...

Aww, Ingre, you are such a good blogger; you quickly were up and running with the whole idea, and you have done so well with it, as is evidenced by your large and loyal following. Yes, I think creativity is a wonderful life experience, at any age. Perhaps more appreciated by older, wiser individuals. I know I enjoy peeking into your world as you spread it before us. Thank you.

Skeeter said...

Really nice post on Horse's. Our next door neighbors have 3 and we get the pleasure of enjoying them. She rides them into our gardens to visit and we so enjoy their visiting us. We use their poop in the compost and tend to them when they are out of town. So we get to enjoy horse's without paying for them!

Barbee' said...

Oh, Skeeter, how I envy you! These days there are no horses near me. The farm next door was developed into high end mega houses. I miss the horses. Wish I could get some poop to compost - of any kind. No longer able to track down any and get it here. It's so bad to the point I am seriously considering farming worms. The month of May is super busy, so in June, I'm seriously going to start some. (Thanks for visiting!)

Balisha said...

Hi Barbee,
This was the most interesting post to me. I love the Kentucky Derby and look forward to seeing it this Sat. My Mom always loved the derby...so I guess that is where I get it.
We are having a very humid day. We never know what to wear around here...now the 80's are upon us again.
Balisha

Barbee' said...

Balisha, I know what you mean. The humidity was terrible today. We turned the air conditioner on for the first time. My sister-in-law and her husband are here to spend two nights with us. They live in California and are not used to this humidity. Grateful for the a.c. We really need rain, but I'm hoping it will hold off a couple of days. I want them to see the garden (tomorrow) before we get a pounding rain. We may not get to see the Derby race. Saturday we are attending the college graduation of one of our grandsons. Not sure how the times will work out. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

Jen's Farmily said...

I've been to Keeneland and it is beautiful! A supplier MrC works with took us there.

I lived around Louisville and now I live about an hour away so I totally understand the Derby excitement! (And The Oaks for that matter!)

You wrote a great post about horses too! This should definitely be your Derby post every year!!

PS- Who are you pulling for this year?

Barbee' said...

Jen's Family, your comment was a total delight to discover when I got back home. Nope, I didn't go to the Derby, we attended a grandson's college graduation in another state. I couldn't believe it when we couldn't find the race on any radio station on our return drive to Kentucky. I didn't have a pick in this year's running. Things have been so crazy here for eight weeks that I decided they were just going to have to do all that hoop-la without my attention this year. Our kitchen has been gutted and in process of renovation - and then we had house guests from California! All fun, but with everything going on, I'm tired today. Thank you so much for the positive feedback. I wasn't so sure about re-posting an old post.

Margie's Musings said...

Barbee, I have tagged you for the Liebster Award. You can check it out on my blog.

Margie

Barbee' said...

Well, Margie, I don't know what to say other than a great big: Thank You! Even though I do not participate in the awards circles, you have still "made my day" and made me feel special! That is so nice of you. You are such a busy lady. I pop in occasionally just to see what you are doing now. I also enjoy your comments on the blogs we both follow. Hope you have a safe and happy 4th. I feel sorry for all the animals when the fireworks go off. Wish they could cover their ears.

Inger said...

Hello Barbee, I just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving your comments. I hope all is well with you. I'm sure this hot and weird summer has been difficult where you live. Take care, Inger

Barbee' said...

Thank you, too, Inger. I always enjoy your posts, although I don't always leave a comment. Sometimes I just don't have the pep needed to communicate, but I can read and enjoy. Our weather has been dreadful, but everyone is having a difficult spring and summer it seems. People in Wales were celebrating this week because they had two sunshiny days with no rain.

Inger said...

Well, I'm back again just to let you know how much I appreciate your comments on my blog posts. You will always be my first blogger friend. I hope you are doing OK and that colder weather is on its way. Take care.

Barbee' said...

Thank you, Inger. Sorry about your husband's tomatoes!

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

Thought I'd drop by to say 'Hello' and that, although you may not be blogging - you are not forgotten!

Barbee' said...

Well, thank you, Lucy! What a lovely comment to find in my e-mail!

Balisha said...

Hi Barbee...You haven't left a comment in a while...I wondered if you are OK? I hope this comment finds you feeling well and just busy.Have a great day!
Balisha

Barbee' said...

Hello Balisha, yes, quite busy. Thought I was going to be cooking for 12 people today and tomorrow, but instead I should be packing. Husband's sister-in-law died in Alabama so we leave in the morning (Thurs.) to go there. Local daughter came by on her way home from work and took a lot of the food off me to feed her busy family, so I don't have to cope with the surplus. I was hoping to use my nice new slow cooker again. Now must pack. Last time I used it was for the blueberry and blackberry cobbler in the book you gave me. Next time, I will double that recipe. It went so fast we almost didn't get a spoonful. Okay, that's it, must run.

Balisha said...

It's me again...
I just wanted to wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving. I'm especially thankful for your comments on my posts this year. I so look forward to reading something from "Barbee" You are my special online friend,
Balisha

Balisha said...

Hi Barbee,
I just wanted to leave my sympathy on the death of your sister-in-law.I know that you are back by now, but just wanted to leave that.
Balisha

Barbee' said...

Thank you, Balisha. My computer died, too. Now I have one cast off by a grandson. I'm almost used to it now.

Barbara said...

I guess you know that our Queen sometimes goes to the Kentucky Derby. Only recently got rid of my KD tea shirt.

Barbee' said...

Welcome, Barbara! Oh, yes, I know. It makes exciting and big news around here when any member of the royal family comes to visit.