23 Oct Obituary: Bel’s Starlet

Our Mims Retirement Haven in Paris, Kentucky, sadly announces the death of Bel’s Starlet. The mare died at the farm on October 23, 2014 after an illness. She had been diagnosed with pleuroneumonia and endocarditis. Bel initially responded to treatment, but soon succumbed to her illness.

Jeanne Mirabito, farm owner and OMRH President remarked: “Bel’s Starlet was all class. She was as beautiful, kind and deeply loved by all of us. It was an honor to serve her.” Mirabito explained, “Bel lost her spark in July when her best friend of many years passed away. She has not been the same since. I fully believe that Bel died from a broken heart. We will grieve for this loss we know Bel’s Starlet is now reunited with Arc Bar Miss. And how joyous that surely was.

“Godspeed, Bel’s Starlet, you were loved.”

Bel’s Starlet was a 1987 foal by Bel Bolide out of Vigor’s Star. She earned $863,802 on the track, winning 13 races, running second 14 times, and placing 6 times out of 46 starts. Of her winnings, $696,887 was won on the turf. When she was two-years-old, Bel came in placed in the Grade 1 Oak Leaf Stakes. At ages four and five, she won the Autmn Days Handicap at Santa Anita. During her six-year-old campaign, she came in second in the Grade 3 Monrovia Handicap and the Grade 1 Gamely Handicap. Her last year of racing (when she was seven) found her placing in the Grade 2 Wilshire Handicap and coming in third in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Breeders’ Cup Handicap.

She was bred and raced for John and Betty Mabee of Golden Eagle Farm and trained by Dick Mandella. When she retired from racing, the mare went to the farm to take up her broodmare career. She produced six foals; Grey Owl, a 1998 colt by Kingmambo, earned $171,488 on the track. She also had foals by Forestry, Point Given, and Danzig.

The Mabees sold Bel for $500,000 at the 1999 Keeneland November sale. Sometime after her broodmare career ended, Bel’s Starlet found herself at the Kentucky Equine Humane Center. The Center donated her to the Haven, and the mare came to Paris on July 5, 2007.

OMRH became a 501(c) 3 nonprofit in 2006. Featured in Barbara Livingston’s More Old Friends, the Haven specializes in “restoring in health and spirit in aged mares.” The Haven is supported through donations, eBay auctions, and its online shop.

Our Mims Retirement Haven is home to Princess Royale, Blue Viking, Ms. Royal Flagship, Missy White Oak, Trail Guide, Dogwood Patty, and Exciting Buckets. Our Mims’ grandson, 1997 Breeder’s Cup™ Sprint winner Elmhurst, arrived in October of 2011.

OMRH Web Site: http://www.OurMims.org
Press Releases: http://www.ourmims.org/news/
(Photo available at press release web site.)
Jeanne Mirabito: (859) 227-6304
Farm Manager, President
jeanne@ourmims.org
Cheryl Bellucci: (937) 776-1904
Director of Fund Raising and Promotion
cheryl@ourmims.org