06 Oct Elmhurst Arrives at Our Mims Retirement Haven

Elmhurst, winner of the 1997 Breeders Cup Sprint, arrived at Our Mims Retirement Haven in Paris, Kentucky, early Monday morning (October 3, 2011). The son of Wild Again out of Mimbet was transported by Brook Ledge Horse Transportation in a trip that began the previous Friday at Rocking Horse Ranch in El Cajon, California. Elmhurst is the grandson of Our Mims, the name-sake of the Haven.

OMRH President Jeanne Mirabito reports: “Elmhurst has stolen my heart already, almost as quickly and completely as his Granddam Our Mims did years ago. He has a great deal of personality. I’m looking so forward to getting to know him better. We are BLESSED to have such wonderful supporters who helped bring him home.”

Elmhurst is reported to be adjusting to his new surroundings rather quickly. Mirabito adds, “The ladies have accepted Elmo into the herd without fanfare. At present, his closest buddy is Lotka. But Bel’s Starlet and Missy White Oak are never far away.”

The cost of the trip was paid with a series of donations. Brook Ledge donated over half the regular shipping costs; Three Chimneys Farm donated a Point Given halter that was sold at auction for $1,125.00; and the rest was raised by direct donations of the fans and supporters of OMRH. Elmhurt’s stall was finished with funds from a Thoroughbred Charities of America grant. Producer Feeds of Paris, Kentucky will provide ongoing support for the gelding; the company also sponsors Lotka at the Haven.

“We could not have done this without the support of so many,” says Cheryl Bellucci, Director of Fund Raising and Promotion for the Haven. “We are so blessed.”

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 Mount Intrepid and Stalwart Member), Missy White Oak, Ms. Royal Flagship, Taba Dance (daughter of founding lady Taba the dam of Turkoman), 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: programs@rockinghorseranch.org

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