Godolphin mares and stallions enjoy the same standard of care when they retire as they did all their working lives.
Stallions remain on the stud but retired broodmares live together in paddocks and are only stabled for health issues. Occasionally, broodmares are used as settled companions for younger retiring fillies.
In America, on Godolphin’s Jonabell Farm, our retired mares live in arguably the best paddock! It nestles on the banks of the South Elkhorn Creek complete with purpose-built, walk-in barn if they need to escape the elements.
Included in this group are Caress, born in 1991 and a multiple stakes winner. She is the dam of successful Kentucky stallion, Sky Mesa. Alongside Caress is Minister Wife, born in 1992 and the dam of three stakes horses including Iowa and Marietta, who won the 2007 Arlington Oaks.
But whether winners or losers, a stakes mare, a nurse mare or a mare that wasn’t quite the fastest or the best breeder, the retired Jonabell mares enjoy the same, relaxed retirement, rarely lifting their heads from the lush, green grass.
The mares are fed daily, constantly observed, have monthly farrier checks, and are maintained on the same worming and vaccination programme as during their working lives.
Among the roses and magnolia trees and overlooking the stallion paddocks to one side and the mare and foal barn to the other, is the Jonabell Farm graveyard, where the stallions and broodmares are remembered and respected for all that they achieved.
Triple Crown winner Affirmed stands watch over the Jonabell stallion barn.
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