April 11, 1989
Sire: Grey Bucket
Dam: That's Exciting
View Pedigree
Exciting Bucket was never bred.
92 Starts: 19 Wins, 10 Places, 14 Shows
Career Earnings: $86,304
Exciting Bucket arrived at Our Mims Retirement Haven April 12, 2014.
Watch your jewelry around Exciting Bucket. Buckets likes bling! We thought she was attempting to bite people until we saw her grab a visitor's necklace, yank it off only to bury it in her straw bedding. When we retrieved the necklace, we found the rest of her stash. She had a watch, earrings, bracelets and barrettes! This proves that a lady likes a little sparkle.
Vincent and Helen Fariello and their family of four children bought Exciting Bucket and her full sister Oka No Exciting 23 years ago for $2,000 each.
“Buckets” raced 92 times…and was able to do so because she was so well cared for. At one time in her career, Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day was aboard her and guided her right to the winner's circle. Even after she retired at age 10, she remained with her family. She has been beautifully kept and loved beyond measure. Buckets and Vincent were best friends.
When Vincent died in January at age 83, Helen took over care of Buckets. Through the incredibly harsh winter we had, Helen went out in the snow and ice to care for her late husband’s best friend. And she did a beautiful job. OH, MY that horse was well cared for.
These are not rich people but their love of the horse was the more important than money. And when it came to the tough decision to sell the farm, the Fariello family searched for a safe haven for their pride and joy. Helen and daughter Connie would not consider anything less. Buckets came to us with a dowry, her win pictures and items of horse apparel for us to auction to help support her….which is MUCH MORE than the owners of some stakes winning horses whose owners simply discarded them.
"Bucket" is now the oldest lady at Our Mims Retirement Haven, at the young age of 33. She turned 33 January 1st, 2022, when all Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbreds turned a year older.
Bucket's former owners STILL come and see her, and STILL donate to her care. When we say she is loved, we mean she is LOVED! Our wish is that every horse could have the love, care and devotion she's had throughout her life.
This is the good part of our race industry. THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE!!!!
We at OMRH stand to salute the Fariello family and all they do!