06 Jun OMRH Announces Our Mims Marker Dedication Ceremony

On Saturday, June 26 at 10 am, Our Mims, 1977 Three-Year-Old Filly Champion, will be remembered with a memorial dedication at Calumet Farm’s Equine cemetery.
Our Mims (Herbergar out of Sweet Tooth) was foaled at Calumet on March 8, 1974 and earned Calumet Farm their first Eclipse award after her stunning 3 year old season. Our Mims won the Oaklawn Fantasy Stakes, the Coaching Club American Oaks, Alabama Stakes, and the Delaware Handicap. Our Mims finished second in the 1977 Kentucky Oaks.

Our Mims produced several foals for Calumet, including Mimbet and Slewvescent, before being sold in Calumet’s dispersal sale in 1991.

During the fall of 1999, this great mare made her way to the ReRun program, a Kentucky-based Thoroughbred adoption group. Our Mims was adopted by Jeanne Mirabito of Paris, Kentucky, in February of 2000. “Never was a horse more loved than Our Mims. She stole my heart,” said Mirabito. “Our Mims was QUEEN here. She knew it and as long as the rest of us didn’t forget who was in charge, all was well.”

Our Mims settled into a life of leisure at the Mirabito’s farm, Ahwenasa. She enjoyed routine, peppermints, carrots and visits from fans. During the last year of her life, Our Mims had over 70 visitors. “She loved being adored by her fans, ” said Mirabito.

Our Mims remained at Ahwenasa until she passed away on December 9, 2003. Cheryl Bellucci of Xenia, Ohio, organized a fund raising campaign to purchase a proper stone marker to honor Our Mims. Photographers Barbara Livingston, Sue Rosenbach and John Bellucci donated prints and fans from all over the United States contributed to purchasing the grave marker for Our Mims. As many letters and donations poured in during the campaign, Cheryl Bellucci commented, “It’s like magic. Just like Our Mims was.”
Prior to his death, the late Count deKwiatkowski, owner of Calumet, had given permission for Our Mims to be buried at Calumet near her dam, Sweet Tooth, her second and third dams, Blue Delight and Real Delight. The Count’s family graciously honored the promise, and Our Mims was laid to rest within sight of her half brother Alydar.

Mirabito praises Calumet Farm for all they have done. Our Mims was the first horse in the history of the farm who did not reside at Calumet to be buried in Calumet cemetery. “The deKwiatkowskis did not know Our Mims. They did not benefit from her earnings. They may never have even heard her ‘royal’ nicker, and yet, they allowed her to ‘come home,'” explained Mirabito, “What a wonderful gesture. All this proves to me that the great Calumet Farm is clearly in the right hands. The level of class at Calumet doesn’t stop with the owners. It is apparent in the employees as well.” Mirabito can’t say enough about Calumet’s grounds crew for the incredible concern and loving way they took care of Our Mims remains.

The dedication ceremony is expected to be over by 12 noon.