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Meeting a Kentucky Derby Winner
 By mosquito
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16th Nov 2011 •
7,536 views
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21 comments
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One of the benefits of being in a syndicate is the farm visits that the organizers arrange for their members. Out here in the Pacific Northwest, we don’t have many of the massive breeding farms that you find in Kentucky, but do have some hidden gems. One of these is Ben Root’s Oakhurst Farm in Oregon, home to Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone. We were very lucky that our syndicate keeps a mare at that stud, so they arranged a special day out for us to see the grand old man, and the mare and her babies.
Oakhurst Farm is a gorgeous place; the kind we all dream of having. Built around a big lake and a centuries-old oak tree, the farm is designed with happy horses in mind. Acres of board-fence grazing nestled in Oregon’s wine country is the perfect pace for mares, foals and stallions to enjoy their days, and the farm is run by the very knowledgeable and capable Cookie Root, Ben’s wife.
When we arrived, we were first shown the syndicate’s mare, stakes runner Maxie’s Night Cap, and her 2011 foal by Grindstone. She was a small, sweet mare, very happy to let all of us crowd around her and her baby. The colt was a big, handsome colt, due to be weaned in just a couple of weeks. I don’t own any of Maxie or her colt, but it was wonderful to see them; I always love the chance to visit with babies! We also got to see Maxie’s yearling colt by top local stallion Mattie G; he still has some growing to do but he is certainly bred to run well in the Northwest, so I’ll be watching out for him as he grows up.
 2011 foal by Grindstone and Maxie’s Night Cap
Now for the best part – Oakhurst is now home to 18 year old Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone. They brought him out for us to see, and this handsome stallion was a perfect gentlemen. He certainly knew how to pose for photos! He stood quietly for us for almost half an hour, while everyone got a chance to take photos and get up close to give him a pat. He never once even fidgeted, or looked at all irritable – he certainly loves the attention, and rightly so – he deserves it. After all, not only did he win the Derby, he sired Belmont winner Birdstone, who sired Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, so he has every right to be proud!
 Grindstone
 Grindstone
We got a tour of the farm, a chance to pet some of the broodmares expecting their first foals out in the paddocks, and to meet some of the other stallions at Oakhurst, although the best part of the trip was always going to be Grindstone. Apparently he has one cheeky habit – when he’s out in the paddock, he waits until no one is around, then he slips his halter off. No one has seen him do it, but it makes him pretty difficult to catch! They’ll need to put a camera out there to see if they can catch him in the act!
After the farm visit, we were all treated to gourmet pizzas made in a mobile brick oven, and a tasting of some local wines. Our next visit will be to Tim Mccanna’s training stable in November, so I’ll be sure to get plenty of photos from that visit too, but for now I can say I got to pet a Derby winner!
 Oakhurst Farm Mares |
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xextendthetrotx
grindstone is a beautiful horse!!! i hope u had a fun time!! :)
grindstone is a beautiful horse!!! i hope u had a fun time!! :)
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Nov 16, 2011
• 6,020 views
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FreeRein
You are so lucky to meet a KD winner! I pet Animal Kingdom at the Belmont Stakes last year! Does that count? Lol!
You are so lucky to meet a KD winner! I pet Animal Kingdom at the Belmont Stakes last year! Does that count? Lol!
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Nov 16, 2011
• 6,244 views
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GoinGoingGone
Wow that must have been fun! I have beento SO many because my parents BREED TBs!
Wow that must have been fun! I have beento SO many because my parents BREED TBs!
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Nov 17, 2011
• 6,271 views
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Nov 17, 2011
• 6,249 views
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Nov 17, 2011
• 6,268 views
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Mystic56
The foal has nice colouring!
The foal has nice colouring!
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Nov 18, 2011
• 6,260 views
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All That Jazz
Grindstone is gorgeous O.O
Looks like fun!
Grindstone is gorgeous O.O
Looks like fun!
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Nov 18, 2011
• 6,257 views
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Nov 18, 2011
• 6,220 views
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Hoofz
Your so lucky! Grindstone is a beautiful stallion! Maybe they should get him a better fitting Halter XD
Your so lucky! Grindstone is a beautiful stallion! Maybe they should get him a better fitting Halter XD
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Nov 18, 2011
• 6,340 views
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Barbwire Stables
 MOD
That is awesome glad you got to meet him and have such a great time!! Its always amazing getting to touch some of the greats!! I know i loved it when i got to pet and sit with Bey Shaw many many moons ago. (a very famous arabian sire for those who dont know)
That is awesome glad you got to meet him and have such a great time!! Its always amazing getting to touch some of the greats!! I know i loved it when i got to pet and sit with Bey Shaw many many moons ago. (a very famous arabian sire for those who dont know)
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Nov 18, 2011
• 6,251 views
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Nov 18, 2011
• 6,231 views
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Double Spur Ranch
Such a beautiful horse wish i got to meet him
Such a beautiful horse wish i got to meet him
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Nov 25, 2011
• 6,224 views
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Painted Destiny
Sounds like a lovely place! Grindstone is lovely! You are very lucky!
Sounds like a lovely place! Grindstone is lovely! You are very lucky!
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Nov 30, 2011
• 6,223 views
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Froggy
Lucky!!!!!:D
Lucky!!!!!:D
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Dec 3, 2011
• 6,250 views
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Dec 3, 2011
• 6,275 views
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weezapony
Wow, this is so cool! :D
Wow, this is so cool! :D
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Dec 5, 2011
• 6,228 views
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Emmurr
I'd love to be a syndicate at some point, I definitely have to give it a go.
I'd love to be a syndicate at some point, I definitely have to give it a go.
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Dec 9, 2011
• 6,233 views
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Artista
What a lovely example of a Thoroughbred. Looks like you had a great time -- awesome article.
What a lovely example of a Thoroughbred. Looks like you had a great time -- awesome article.
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May 3, 2012
• 6,253 views
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May 29, 2012
• 6,275 views
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MOD 