09 Mar Our Mims Retirement Haven mourns the loss of Exciting Bucket

Our Mims Retirement Haven in Paris, Kentucky is devastated to announce the loss of our oldest resident, Exciting Bucket who was 35-years-old. The 1989 roan mare was by Grey Bucket and out of That’s Exciting. “Bucket” left this earth on February 1, 2024 due to the infirmities of old age.
Purchased for a mere $2,000, Bucket raced 92 times with a record of 19-10-14 and winning a total of $86,304. She raced until the age of 10, and at one time was piloted to the winner’s circle by Hall of Fame jockey, Pat Day.
Her owner, Vincent Fariello was also her trainer. Bucket never had to worry about anything in her life – and was always WELL taken care of. When she came off the track, her owner simply took her ‘home’ and loved her, and she was never bred. She was loved beyond measure, and Bucket and Vincent were best friends. When Vincent passed at the age of 83, his wife Helen took amazing care of Bucket until the decision was made to sell the family farm, and the family searched for a safe haven for their pride and joy. On April 12, 2014, Bucket found a new home at Our Mims Retirement Haven and the family continued to support her and visited very often.
The Fariello/Hazel family issued this statement: “Exciting Bucket had a wonderful life. She was always taken care of and never wanted for anything. Her owner’s Vincent and Helen Fariello made sure of that and she lived 25 years at the Fariello Farm. Her last ten years were spent at Our Mims Retirement Haven where she continued to live a life of leisure and completely on her terms. Our last promise to our father, Vinny, was that we would always take care of her, and we did just that. We are so proud of the care and love she was given at the Haven from Jeanne, Pete, Ann, Brinna, and everyone involved in the operations there. We are astounded by the many “fans” that she had. Visiting the Haven gave us much comfort and helped us through some difficult loses these past years. Thank you so much for loving and caring for our ‘Buckets’.”

Ann Cheek, OMRH Vice President and Farm Manager said, “It was such an honor and a privilege to have been able to be in the presence of such a magnificent, confident and strong being. I will truly miss our standoffs! There is nothing easy about losing one of our Ladies, but I am comforted knowing their spirit will always live here. Bucket’s longevity is a true testament to not only the love and care she received, but also to the grit and the heart of the Thoroughbred.”

After being cremated, Exciting Bucket will be laid to rest in the farm’s Invincible Spirit cemetery.