Bucephale

With Bucephale, we decided to break tradition and trust our instincts. In the racing world, foals are typically separated from their mothers far too early. It never felt right to us, knowing how much foals learn from their mothers and how crucial the mother’s milk is for building a strong immune system.

So we made a bold decision: to leave Bucephale with Baroness for a full year. It turned out to be the best decision we’ve ever made. Bucephale grew up strong and healthy, with an immune system like a rock and a calm, fearless demeanor. She isn’t your typical spirited, skittish thoroughbred; instead, she exudes confidence and steadiness, qualities she likely inherited from spending so much time by her mother’s side.

However, Bucephale has one comical quirk—she’s scared of her own shadow! We discovered this during a power outage when we had to use flashlights in the barn. The irony isn’t lost on us, considering Alexander the Great’s legendary horse, Bucephalus, was also known for fearing his shadow.

Unfortunately, just five days before her first race, Bucephale had an accident in her box at the training center, resulting in a small crack in her hip that went unnoticed by the staff for too long. But after coming back home, receiving all the love and care we could give, she has healed completely and is back in shape. Life has its share of unexpected setbacks, but we are optimistic and excited for her next racing season.

Bucephale believes she’s part human. She calls out to us whenever she sees us, “talking” to us in her own way, always curious and attentive. She’s incredibly trusting, making every milestone—from her first farrier visit to her first transport—an absolute breeze. Her long stay with her mother, along with our daily loving, respectful handling, has shaped her into a horse with a giant heart and unwavering trust in us.

At home, she’s our gossip queen, always watching from her window to see who’s coming and going. She’s a gentle giant and a true friend, calm and loving in the barn but fast and fearless on the track. We can’t wait to see what this incredible athlete achieves next!