all in Aftercare

Where Mark Allen goes, so goes 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.

While most other Derby winners are whisked away to stud after their racing careers, gelding Mine That Bird has remained in the lives of co-owners Allen and Leonard "Doc" Blach since his 2009 lightning strike in Louisville, Ky., and 2010 retirement from racing.

Fin has generally proven herself to be a very brave girl, but there is one thing that continues to cause us trouble: the trailer. Which, as you might imagine, is an essential part of the Thoroughbred Makeover journey.

We are one month into having Ginger in Disguise and starting our Retired Racehorse Project journey ,and I feel like it should only be two weeks into it. The Kansas weather has done nothing to help with all the rain, wind, and snow coming on days that we can work horses. And the days when we have had other commitments (which have not been many)…..it of course has been a lovely day where it’s not windy, the sun is out, and its 70 degrees outside.

The first time I got myself back in the saddle after a year was the day I recorded my Thoroughbred Makeover trainer application video. The second was the same night on a different horse. The third? The day I rode Finnick the Fierce for the first time 2 ½ months later.

My first ride on Odin was Jan. 8, 2022. It was a quick ride mainly designed to assess his brain to make sure this horse that I had recently bought was not inherently naughty and would be something that I could ride and train at this stage in my own journey back to the saddle. In the subsequent short rides that followed, it became clear that Odin was a solid citizen with a good brain but that my work was cut out for me as a rider.

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Request Information

Please fill out the form below to request information about race horse ownership.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube