Thoroughbred
Date of Birth: 2008
Sex: Gelding
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Chestnut
Markings: Blaze + four socks
DAVINCI
DaVinci’s story illuminates yet another facet of the ugly underbelly of horse racing. He was bought off-the-track by a syndicate called Imperial Performance Horses and marketed to a Southern California show barn for a second career as a lesson horse.
The trainer at the show barn went to see him. “He was in a truly horrendous condition. But he was so sweet, and such a kind and gentle spirit, that I could not leave him. Neither was I confident he’d be a fit for my lesson program. So I negotiated a trial period after which I could buy DaVinci for $4800.”
But he wasn’t a fit, she couldn’t justify the $4800 to buy him anyway and she couldn’t send him back. What to do? A mutual friend connected us.
Meanwhile, a woman at the show barn fell in love with him and took the lead in raising the funds to keep him there. We agreed to be a back-up plan. And then sadly, the woman who bought him out, and loved him, had to move out-of-state for her job. So DaVinci joined our herd.
A fleet of angels at work. And he’s a sweet as billed, easily joining our small herd of elders, all chestnut in color, we affectionately call, “The Red Dudes.”