08 Feb Obituary: Taba Dance

Our Mims Retirement Haven bid farewell to Taba Dance today at its Paris, Kentucky farm. Taba Dance, a daughter of Sovereign Dancer out of the Argentinean champion Taba, was euthanized on Saturday, 8 February. She suffered from a sudden onset of devastating laminitis with a very poor prognosis. The mare was twenty-six years-old; she was born February 8, 1988.

Taba Dance was unplaced in three races at Arlington Park. She sold at Keeneland four separate times. Her highest sale price came at the Keeneland November 1995 sale where her auction price attained $110,000. Taba Dance had nine foals in her broodmare career. Her most famous offspring is Tabadabado by Gilded Time. Tabadabado won $163,828 and came in third in the 2001 Kentucky Cup Mile.

The half-sister of champion Turkoman was donated to the Haven on September 10, 2009. She was fully sponsored by her owner, Cathy Dickenson. Because of the snow and ice, Taba Dance was not able to be buried. Ms. Dickenson paid for the mare’s cremation, and Taba Dance’s ashes will be buried in the Haven cemetery next to her dam, Taba.

Jeanne Mirabito, Farm Owner and OMRH Founder and President, remarked: “Taba Dance was one of a kind. She delighted in splashing in puddles and wallowing in mud. She could keep the most experienced horse person circling the pasture for quite some time avoiding being caught, but let a child call out her name and that big mare would drop her head, nose almost dragging the ground for the child to lead her with ease. She will be missed.”

Mirabito added, “Taba Dance was a very lucky horse. She was owned by Cathy Dickenson, and Taba Dance owned Cathy’s heart. The Dickenson’s support for their horses doesn’t end when the horse stops earning money. They believe their horses are forever. They are a shining example of what horse ownership should be. If more owners were like them, there would never be a need for horse rescue. The entire thoroughbred industry should applaud their dedication.”

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, Bel’s Starlet, Blue Viking, Ms. Royal Flagship, Trail Guide, and Dogwood Patty. 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://omrh-pr.blogspot.com
(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