Sapphire Cat

 

Happy Valentine's Day! It was a day full of phone calls and text messages, which is more or less the standard. A romantic way to spend the day, for sure. It was one of those days that not much happened, which is both nice and a bit boring. One of the 2022 fillies that we foaled out found a home and is leaving this evening. She's good about the trailer, but one never knows when it's dark and blowing 65+ mph. The wind was the main reason that today was slow. It blew hard today, which both means a storm is blowing in and that the necessary chores were the only things accomplished. That and administration, the never-ending task.

More importantly, it's a day that is supposed to symbolize love. It seems fitting to introduce one of our stallions. We'll start with the one that loves breeding the most: Sapphire Cat, fondly known as Kevin at home. He is a 2008 Thoroughbred stallion by Bluegrass Cat and out of black type producer, Piedras Negras. He has produced over $800,000 in earnings with a small crop of foals. His babies are fast and they last, with one, Lindante, running 78 races. He never raced due to an injury when he was training. He had been kicked in the shoulder, causing some nerve damage. An astute eye will notice a difference in his muscle size in the left shoulder compared to the right, but he doesn't notice it. He is a floaty, athletic mover, at least when he wants to be. He is thick, kind and all boy, when he wants to be. When breeding season begins, Sapphire Cat lights up, at least when there is a mare in front of him. He is all stallion with his arched neck, prancing, vocalization, strength, and puffery.

When it comes to riding or movement of any kind outside of breeding, he is all kid's horse. He moves about as rapidly as a sloth, convinced that he has been denied any athletic prowess. On top of his lazy tendencies, he is dedicated to the protection of his person. He bonds closely with his person and has a strong opinion about who his people are. He is so gentle outside of breeding, that he gives rides to a toddler. He moves carefully, so as not to disrupt his pint-sized rider. He passes this trait on to his own foals, several of whom have gone on to become youth horses after the track.

Unfortunately, his gentle demeanor makes it impossible to take a quality photo of him. He always looks ready to nod off into a nap with his belly hanging out and eyes half closed, despite the off-camera dancing, clapping and flapping we do to try to get his attention. He's one of those that deserves an in-person inspection. He is a stunning boy, which he knows, even if he only shows it for the mares.