20 Sep ’97 BC Sprint Winner Elmhurst Returning to the Blue Grass

C.N. Ray’s Foundation, formerly Evergreen Farm in Paris Kentucky, is happy to announce that Mr. Ray’s 1997 Breeders Cup Sprint Winner Elmhurst will be returning to the Blue Grass of Kentucky. The 1990 gelding, bred at Calumet, will be retiring at Our Mims Retirement Haven.

This will be a well deserved retirement for Calumet-bred Elmhurst. During the gelding’s most famous race, he brought joy to many as he came from “the back of the pack” at odds of sixteen-to-one to win the Sprint at Hollywood Park. Upon Elmhurst’s retirement from racing, he began his second career at Rocking Horse Ranch of California where he worked with children and young adults, helping them gain confidence and courage as they came from “the back of the pack” to begin their new paths to a winning life.

Prior to Mr. Ray’s passing in November of 2009, he heard of Kathy Plaisted’s work helping children turn their lives around. C.N. realized he had the perfect meld of horse to job: a horse that went against all odds to win the Sprint helping children achieving goals despite tremendous odds against them. Kathy agreed and the union became a blessing for many at Kathy’s Rocking Horse Ranch.

Kathy uses horses to teach relationship, hard work, trust, boundaries, respect, and hope. Elmhurst was just such a horse! The oldest horse on the field, with a young woman as his trainer… and he won the Breeders Cup “against all odds!” That is so very much the heart of what is taught to every person who comes to the Ranch, and the motto at Rocking Horse is: “Be more than the odds! Live your dream! Work hard and hold tight to hope!”

“At twenty-one Elmhurst still loves to jump and play and is always the first to come running when I whistle,” Plaisted explains. “He has taught quietness, kindness, and hope to many. He will always be a favorite here at the Ranch — not because of his winnings (although we do love to show off his record-setting video) but because of his amazing spirit. Of all the horses I have ever met, he truly has a heart of a champion! He has worked hard both on and off the track and is deserving of such a fine retirement.”

Plans are now being made for Elmhurst to return home to Kentucky where he will live out his final years at Our Mims Retirement Haven. Rocking Horse is sad to see him go but he will live in the hearts of many forever. According to Kathy, “This is an incredible opportunity for Elmhurst, and I know he will continue to be a blessing to all who visit him.”

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation has donated over half the cost to ship Elmhurst across the country, and Three Chimneys Farm has donated a Point Given halter to help with residual costs. Producer Feeds in Paris, Kentucky is providing shipping boots for Elmhurst to travel safely and will be sponsoring him once he arrives at OMRH. Producer Feeds sponsors OMRH lady Lotka now, and that sponsorship will continue as well. Elmhurst’s stall at the Haven has been refurbished and additional drainage put in place with grant money from Thoroughbred Charities of America.

The Haven is looking to donations from supporters to help pay the rest of the bill for Elmhurst’s trip. Fans and supporters will be able to go to the Haven’s web site at http://www.OurMims.org/elmhurst.html and purchase post cards for $5. Purchased post cards will be on display for Elmhurst’s arrival, and then will be mailed to the donors with a Paris postmark. More information is available on the Haven’s web site. The Point Given Halter auction is listed on eBay at
http://www.ebay.com/itm/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130578909622.

Haven President and Farm owner Mirabito remarked: “Every time I look at Our Mims pedigree page I see the name Elmhurst. Now I’ll see him in person and in our pasture! Its almost like a dream; Our Mims’ grandson is coming home!”

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the Haven,” added OMRH Director of Fund Raising and Promotion. “Elmhurst is coming home, that’s how we see it. We so very much appreciate that we have been entrusted with his future.”

An arrival date has not been announced but is anticipated as soon as funds are attained.

Rocking Horse Ranch is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation chartered in 1996 for the purpose of giving both youth and horses a second chance at life through a variety of counseling, outreach, and rehabilitation programs. The Ranch is supported solely through donations, sponsorships and grants. Rocking Horse Ranch will be offering a halter worn by Elmhurst during his stay at the Ranch to raise funds for ongoing programs.

Donations can also be made by visiting http://www.RockingHorseRanch.org.

Our Mims Retirement Haven is a 501(c)3 nonprofit chartered in 2007. Named after famed Calumet racer Our Mims, the 1977 Eclipse Award Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, OMRH takes in retired Thoroughbred broodmares. The ladies live out their lives in the barns and paddocks of the Haven with appropriate feed, exercise, vet, farrier, and dental care. OMRH is supported by direct donations, sponsorships, grants, and the sale of items on eBay and their online store.

Current ladies living at the Haven include Timeless Sue (granddam of Bourbon Belle, great granddam of Not Bourbon), Hana Bride (daughter of Coastal), west coast runner Bel’s Starlet, champion racer Lotka, starred broodmare Cruella, Australian-born Princess Royale, Ms. Stalwart (dam of Stalwart Member and Mount Intrepid), Missy White Oak, Ms. Royal Flagship, Taba Dance (daughter of founding lady Taba the dam of Turkoman), Blue Viking, Little Miss Porter, and Trail Guide. OMRH has been the home of Sugar and Spice (champion half-sister of Our Mims), Taba (dam of Turkoman, great granddam of Point Given), Iza Valentine (1987 California Broodmare of the Year), My Turbulent Miss (dam of Prized and Exploit), Alabama Nana (raced in the 1985 Breeders Cup Distaff), Hope of Glory, Jamra, and Exactly So.

Contacts:
Our Mims Retirement Haven: http://www.OurMims.org

Jeanne Mirabito, President and Farm Owner:
(859) 227-6304
jeanne@ourmims.org

Cheryl Bellucci, Director of Fund Raising & Promotion:
(937) 776-1904
cheryl@ourmims.org

Rocking Horse Ranch: http://www.RockingHorseRanch.org

Kathy Plaisted, Founder and Director
(619) 443-5400
Kathy@RockingHorseRanch.info

Brook Ledge Horse Transport: http://www.brookledge.com
Three Chimneys Farm: http://www.threechimneys.com
Producer Feeds, Paris, Kentucky:
http://www.producerfeeds.com/ky.shtml#paris
Thoroughbred Charities of America: http://www.tca.org