Lady Eli

FlyToTheStars · Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:46 am

Does anyone have a contact to Sheep Ponds partners? I originally planned to go to Keeneland Sales in November to see her sell but 'unfortunately' I will not be able to attend. I am due that month (which I recently found out about the pregnancy). I am hoping to find a chance to meet her at Hill n Dale over the late spring or summer because the sales is a big no-no since I am supposed to stay within 1 hour radius as a precaution in Nov. It is 3.5 hours away from home.

I know contacting HnD directly will be a automatic decline to see a particular mare (Lady Eli), I wish the old general manager (John Ramsey) was still there, he let me see Silverbulletday twice, along with Lady Tak and Teeming's yearlings who were in the next paddock over. I recall him saying that Pegram allows his mares to be seen but now the new manager would not allow it- guess they aren't as generous.

HELP?!?!?!?! (I bet she will be sold overseas and I wanted to grab the chance to meet her before she sells)

Ridan_Remembered · Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:05 pm

I suppose she already has been bred to War Front considering this is already mid April. I did a Google search in case there was some news about her, but found nothing current.

If Hill n Dale is one of the farms on one of the scheduled tours, that might be a chance to see her or at least ask some of the farm employees about her. Here's a good resource about the various farm tours available: http://www.bluegrasskentucky.com/horse- ... -tours-new

Wish I could be of more help.

Flanders · Wed Apr 11, 2018 3:40 am

Unless you can find like their personal phone numbers or email address I don't know how else you are going to contact them. They aren't a syndicate just 4 people who own horses together.

Also I don't know if they would let people see her, isn't she known to be aggressive? Like biting and kicking at people?

sweettalk · Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:56 am

Flanders wrote:Unless you can find like their personal phone numbers or email address I don't know how else you are going to contact them. They aren't a syndicate just 4 people who own horses together.

Also I don't know if they would let people see her, isn't she known to be aggressive? Like biting and kicking at people?

i heard she's mellowed a lot since retiring, maybe in a twitter post. i don't remember =\

Private Thoughts · Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:23 pm

Honestly if you are able to write to them and explain how much you like her, you might be pleasantly surprised.

I loved Alydar more than anything in the world, I wrote to Margaret Glass, who used to be the secretary at the farm, sent her a long sappy letter, and a poem, which she went over like a teacher, correcting things here and there. But she sent me several awesome photos, which I treasure, a stallion brochure and invited me to visit him in person, when the farm was closed to the public.

It started a long friendship and several yearly visits to see my hero.

All they can say is no, but getting a letter, instead of an email, impresses lots of folks. Why not take the chance. Best of luck!

I also was able to visit Trillion as well by writing her owner.

Ridan_Remembered · Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:44 pm

Private Thoughts wrote:I loved Alydar more than anything in the world...

I'm always delighted when I see Alydar in a pedigree. Don't see his name a lot anymore and I think that's sad. Whatever the truth about his fatal injury, he died way too soon at just 15. There's an awful lot in life that simply is not fair. What happened to Alydar is one of them.

FlyToTheStars · Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:01 am

Private Thoughts wrote:Honestly if you are able to write to them and explain how much you like her, you might be pleasantly surprised.

I loved Alydar more than anything in the world, I wrote to Margaret Glass, who used to be the secretary at the farm, sent her a long sappy letter, and a poem, which she went over like a teacher, correcting things here and there. But she sent me several awesome photos, which I treasure, a stallion brochure and invited me to visit him in person, when the farm was closed to the public.

It started a long friendship and several yearly visits to see my hero.

All they can say is no, but getting a letter, instead of an email, impresses lots of folks. Why not take the chance. Best of luck!

I also was able to visit Trillion as well by writing her owner.

Worth a try! Should I try HnD's general physical address? I don't see Sheep Ponds' anywhere so I guess HnD is the best way to go?

FlyToTheStars · Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:01 am

sweettalk wrote:
Flanders wrote:Unless you can find like their personal phone numbers or email address I don't know how else you are going to contact them. They aren't a syndicate just 4 people who own horses together.

Also I don't know if they would let people see her, isn't she known to be aggressive? Like biting and kicking at people?
i heard she's mellowed a lot since retiring, maybe in a twitter post. i don't remember =\

ye, the article was from Thoroughbredracing.com

Private Thoughts · Thu Apr 12, 2018 6:13 pm

Years ago, and maybe there still is, there was a breeders book that came out every year that had the name and address of all the major breeders and owners in the sport. If you could track that down perhaps that would help.

The Keeneland Library is also very helpful with locating information you might need.

And yes, I would try writing to Hill N' Dale as well.

Best of luck!

FlyToTheStars · Wed May 30, 2018 1:24 pm

Quick question, should I address the letter to 'Whom it concerns', or someone specific? I was not sure if the office would dismiss the letter, or it should be addressed to Mr. John Sikura, or even the Sales Team? Lady Eli is probably at the 'Sales preparation' section of the farm since she is going to be sold.

Private Thoughts · Wed May 30, 2018 3:59 pm

I think I would shoot for the top, myself. If he isn't the right person, his secretary will no doubt pass it on to the right person.

My experience, as a fan only, with many of the farms is that they are flattered that somebody would take the time to write to them. Sure they might be busy, but fans are part of the industry just as much as the breeders, sales companies, vets, feed stores, etc. Many of them started out as a fan themselves.

There are right and wrong ways to go about things, and being respectful and kind goes along way.

Best of luck.

Old Bones · Wed May 30, 2018 5:03 pm

In a recent trip to Hill n' Dale the subject of Lady Eli came up as we were close to her barn. I got the impression that she has not mellowed and that allowing visits isn't something they would do with her. They did mention that she has been bred to War Front.

BaroqueAgain1 · Wed May 30, 2018 6:15 pm

I do remember reading that she is a mare with a lot of attitude...and that she still bites.

FlyToTheStars · Thu May 31, 2018 8:41 am

Private Thoughts wrote:I think I would shoot for the top, myself. If he isn't the right person, his secretary will no doubt pass it on to the right person.

My experience, as a fan only, with many of the farms is that they are flattered that somebody would take the time to write to them. Sure they might be busy, but fans are part of the industry just as much as the breeders, sales companies, vets, feed stores, etc. Many of them started out as a fan themselves.

There are right and wrong ways to go about things, and being respectful and kind goes along way.

Best of luck.

I will attempt that then. Hopefully hear back at some point.

I did talk to her exercise rider who saw her recently- mentioned he could pet her for 5 seconds before she tried to bite. She is in foal.