Alpine Sky

Earlier this season, we asked what you wanted to learn more about at Old Tavern Farm. We received some great questions and inquiries. The farm staff reviewed them and their responses are below. There are a few more responses we plan to share over the next couple weeks! Thanks for following.

What factors do you consider in determining which stallion will breed to one of your mares? In season one of Foal Patrol Memento d'Oro's foal was by Bodemeister and this year her foal was by Empire Maker. Comme Chez Soi's foal in season two was by Malibu Moon and her foal this year was by Good Magic. Some of the stallions are relatively new, while others are proven sires.  What are you looking for in a stallion when you consider breeding to one of your mares? - Deb from Tennessee 

This conversation is usually ongoing throughout the year internally and with our sales agent Francis Vanlangendonck – i.e. pedigree, sales results, marketability, conformation, racing, etc. As commercial breeders we try to focus on stallions that are marketable; however, the long time horizon on breeding a horse can be a challenge. We try to target the upper end of the market, and keep a close eye on which stallions are selling and running well. Having a relatively young broodmare band we also want to breed horses that will ultimately get to the track and can perform. Lastly, we go to the stallion farms in the fall to look at stallions to see which ones would match well with our mares conformationally. Despite the careful planning, it is still up to nature to decide what kind of foal we will get.

How and why did the owners establish Old Tavern Farm, what are the challenges and rewards of a boutique operation and a location such as Saratoga Springs, and how does the winery fit into the scheme of things? – Kim

The farm was established in 2016. The farm was built completely from scratch so, we were able to lay out the farm to be as efficient as possible. Being boutique allows us to provide a little more individual attention to each horse. The drawback to being small makes everything very exacting, i.e. the loss of Alpine Sky ’20 is felt a bit more as we get attached to each of them and want them all to succeed at the next level. The vineyard and winery is run by Nicole Borisenok and was a way for her to be involved in the farm. Saratoga Springs is a great location for thoroughbred breeding as it affords us access to some of the best racing has to offer, the Fasig-Tipton sales are here, a world class veterinary clinic in Rood & Riddle, and the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame are all within 10 minutes from the farm. 

Does Old Tavern Farm own the horses alone or do they have partners? – Arlene

The majority of the horses on the farm are owned by Old Tavern Farm. 

How many horses in total are at Old Tavern Farm? How many are mares verses stallions? - Elisabeth from Florida

We have 7 mares, 6 foals, 10 yearlings, 1 2yo gelding, 1 pig , 14 hens, 1 rooster, 1 barn cat.

Do all the mares go to Kentucky Stud Farms to be bred or do some go to New York State stud farms? - Mary from Canal Winchester, Ohio

Generally yes, all of our mares are bred in KY. We did have to breed a mare this year in NY in order to be in compliance with the NY Breeding program.

Earlier this season, we asked what you wanted to learn more about at Old Tavern Farm. We received some great questions and inquiries. The farm staff reviewed them and their responses are below. Thanks for following.

I’d love to learn more about Greg and Trina’s background and career – what got them started in this field?  Who were their mentors? Where have they worked in the past? What is their favorite part of the daily routine? What part do they like the least? What tidbit about them might surprise us to learn? – Jane

Greg: I grew up in Saratoga Springs and worked on horse farms throughout college. I graduated from Providence College with a BA in political science. After graduation I was hired full-time at Five Oak Farm where I spent about 10 years in various roles. They are also a small boutique breeding farm in Saratoga Springs. I have a MSc in Sustainability Management from Columbia and left Five Oak to travel in 2015. While traveling I was approached by Old Tavern Farm to consult with the farm design and construction and was hired as Director once the farm was completed in 2016. My favorite part of the routine is night-check when the horses are in the barn. My least favorite is when one of the horses is sick or at the clinic. Surprising fact: I do not ride horses. 

Trina: I was born and raised in Washington and graduated from Washington State University.  I was introduced to the racetrack when I met the Ward family (Wesley and his father, Dennis). I started out breaking 2-year-olds with Dennis and ended up working in many other capacities on the racetrack over the next 20 years, including training, assistant training and galloping. After many years of working on the racetrack, I was ready to learn something new. I was introduced by a mutual friend to the team that was building Old Tavern Farm and was hired as Broodmare Manager in 2016. My favorite part of the daily routine is feeding all of the animals in the morning. My least favorite is to lose an animal or to see one of them suffering. Surprising tidbit: I got to travel to Dubai when Brass Hat ran in the World Cup.

How do you determine which horse(s) go into which paddocks?

There are a lot of factors in how we determine whom goes where. For example, age, sex, proximity to barn, turf management, personality, diet, etc. all are part of the discussion when we put horses in certain fields. As a smaller farm, we need to rotate the fields quite a bit to ensure there is adequate grass and nutrition. 

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With Old Tavern Farm, I'd love to hear progress reports on the foals from the last 2 seasons, even if they are now in hands of new owners. It would be fun to know their registered names, so that we can follow them if they race.  Photos would be great, too. - Katherine

The foals from previous seasons have not been named. Memento d’Oro ’18 is scheduled to sell in July at OBS. You will be able to watch her work on the OBS Sales website. Comme Chez Soi ’19 is not named and we still have her on the farm. She is targeting the Keeneland September yearling sale. You will be able to see her go through the ring on the Keeneland website. We will also be posting to our social media pages as we begin sales prepping her over the summer. Below is a photo of Memento d'Oro '18. Her legs were wrapped for protection while traveling in the van. 

Memento d'Oro 18.jpeg

Photo courtesy of Old Tavern Farm

Yesterday morning Memento d'Oro and her filly traveled to Kentucky. She will be rebred to Speightstown. They went to Sally Thomas who takes care of the Old Tavern Farm mares in Lexington, an integral part of the OTF team. Alpine Sky is also with Sally Thomas and doing very well.

The camera will remain in place, on the paddock for now. There may be occasional views of other horses as well as the other animals at the farm (Porkchop). Thanks for following!

Memento d'Oro and filly 2.jpeg

Photo courtesy of Old Tavern Farm

Old Tavern Farm created this video of Alpine Sky before she traveled to Kentucky. She arrived in Kentucky safely Monday evening and will be rebred to More Than Ready. After about 45-60 days she will travel back to the farm. The staff wanted to share their appreciation for all the condolences and support from Foal Patrol fans.

The cameras have been reset on Memento d'Oro and her filly's paddock. Enjoy the new view of the farm!