LADY ELI SIBLING MAY BE ‘STAR’ in 2ND CAREER by Jen Roytz Courtesy Paulickreport.Com
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COSEQUIN PRESENTS AFTERCARE SPOTLIGHT: LADY ELI SIBLING MAY BE ‘STAR’ IN 2ND CAREER by Jen Roytz Courtesy PaulickReport.com Boundless Heart didn't take to racing but appears to have a promising future in dressage The undefeated Lady Eli captured the attention of the racing world with her brilliant Grade 1 victories in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and Belmont Oaks Invitational. Then, in an unfortunate turn of events, the filly stepped on a nail shortly after the Belmont Oaks, triggering laminitis in both front feet. Thanks to skilled management by her team and a bit of luck, the filly has seemed to rebound, returning to trainer Chad Brown's Palm Meadows barn and stepping back onto the track for a jog December 16th. It may turn out to be one of the biggest comeback stories the industry has seen in years. Back in her home state of Kentucky, her half-brother is working on a comeback of his own, and while it may not play out on the global stage like his half-sister's story, it too holds promise for great things to come. Born at historic Runnymede Farm in Paris, Ky., Boundless Heart occupied the same fence lines as his famous half-sister would just two years later. Consigned to the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the dark bay failed to meet his reserve of $110,000 and was sent off to be started under saddle and prepared for racing. Runnymede owner Catesby Clay opted to send the colt to acclaimed conditioner Ken McPeek, but in two attempts as a 2-year-old and once at age three, the best Boundless Heart could manage was third. He was transferred to the barn of Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner Michael Matz, but the horse could do no better, finishing last and second last in his next two starts. In the same way it's obvious when a horse has truly “got it,” it's equally apparent when he doesn't — and Boundless Heart didn't. Rather than dropping him into the claiming ranks and losing control of where he would eventually wind up, Runnymede retired the horse to their farm to give him time to rest and find him an off-track home. That home turned out to be with Emily Brollier Curtis, a Lexington-based dressage trainer who operates under the banner of Miramonte Equine, and her partner on the horse, Wendy Spencer. “Runnymede's general manager, Romain Malhouitre, is a super guy. He often offers me the farm's retired racehorses because he knows I'll find good riders and owners for them,” said Emily. A 2011 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Equine Management and a minor in Agricultural Economics, Emily has a knack for turning off-track Thoroughbreds into dressage or combined training mounts and has been doing so for years. Her resume includes earning her USDF Gold Medal and Champion honors in the Kentucky Dressage Association Grand Prix division in 2014, taking one of her trainees from Third Level to Grand Prix in 2013 and earning the American Warmblood Society National Gold Medal in 2012. She also recently competed in the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover, finishing third in the dressage division with a 3-year-old filly by Belong To Me. Emily says Boundless Heart has the build and mind needed for sport horse competitions Of her newest trainee, Emily says he has the strong, uphill build that sport horse enthusiasts search for with an equally fabulous mind. “He has a huge shoulder and powerful hind end,” said Emily. “He's put together like a Rolex horse and has a brain to take himself far.” After arriving from Runnymede Farm last week, Emily put in the first official off-track ride on “Heart” on Monday. She was, in a word, impressed. “His first ride since coming off of the racetrack was just what you'd want,” she said. “He didn't offer any bad behaviors and seemed to want to get straight to work.” Emily will train Boundless Heart for dressage with a goal of selling him as a show prospect in the next year or two. While he may not have won the seven-figure purses and garlands of flowers his half-sister Lady Eli did, Emily has a feeling he will leave his own mark on the world. “He is sweet and inquisitive, but he has that slight spark you need for any upper level discipline,” said Emily. “Whoever winds up with this one is going to be blessed. This horse is going to be a star.” You can follow Emily and Heart's progress at www.miramonteequine.com or on Facebook. The Deets: Name: Boundless Heart Born: March 13, 2010 Color: Dk b/br Sire: Elusive Quality Dam: Sacre Coeur Sale History: RNA-ed at KEESEP in 2011 for $110,000 Race Record: 5-0-0-1 Race Earnings: $8,700 Jen Roytz is a marketing, publicity and comprehensive communications specialist based in Lexington, Kentucky. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, her professional focus lies in the fields of Thoroughbred racing, health care, corporate and non-profit marketing. She holds board affiliations with the Make a Wish Foundation, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Retired Racehorse Project, among others, and she is the go-to food source for two dogs and one off- track Thoroughbred. Email Jen your story ideas at [email protected] or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. .