In this last diary input for OTTB seller, Audra Mandella, the owner of the seller, reflects on the pleasure and feeling of fulfillment, her husband Gary, father-in-law Richard (a Hall of Fame trainer) and all others associated with the horse have felt, while he goes further in his second career.
In December 2024 my husband surprised me with an early Christmas gift, a handsome chestnut gelding called seller. We were in del Mar to complete the last days of the Bing Crosby -Meeting and I had 96 hours (hello, panic!) To find out pension plans for the seller. He would go to my place in Texas and Crech Transport would take him there for us.
While I prepared things for the seller in Texas, I came across an interesting opportunity for Thoroughbreds: The Retired Racehorse Projects Thoroughbred make -over. After some sizzling fast research and two phone calls, the stars were coordinated and the seller would be on his way to Kristina Aaron in reciprocity thoroughbreds in Decatur, Texas.
When we first spoke with Kristina, we immediately made it clear: the seller owed us nothing. We didn’t care if he ever won something in his life. He had done more than enough as a Renpaard in his career. Kristina expressed her appreciation for and enthusiasm for the seller at first sight, and those feelings never have hesitation. Kristina has shown nothing but patience with the seller and with us. We all have incredible respect for the horse and for each other. Kristina would enable the seller to dictate his own training space, she presented us with any questions or worries – and we trusted, we listened, we have learned, we led each other. Teamwork lets the dream work, right?
Gary and I are blessed with a trainer who gives us regular updates, photos and videos, and also accurate, truthful reviews of the training process from day one to today. Gary and I both have long history with horses during our lives. We have seen it all. A trainer like Kristina encountered has been a gift. From Kristina’s first journeys on the seller, his first attempts to cross-rails, jumps, cross-country, dressage, only one thing mattered for all of us: the seller’s happiness. Period.
Our trip with the seller, Kristina Aaron, and everyone on the road in the last 10 months has been great. I have always said that the horse world is ‘one degree of separation’. And yes, one by one we have met more and more people who were connected to the seller – even his connections in France! The process of creating a new chapter in the life of the seller has been an incredibly rewarding experience for all of us. It brings a smile to my father -in -law, Richard Mandella’s, to watch videos from the seller who runs through his new training, updates to his shows and his Goofy personality around the barn. Although we are naturally a competitive couple, it is a peak victory for us to see the seller cruising around his large grassy paddock in Texas. The journey from the seller to the thoroughbred -make -over from the RRP is a full circle moment -to see a horse retire from years of racing (29 starts!) And then continuing to the make -over is further than heart -warming.
The Thoroughbreds have been so good for the Mandella family over the years and we decided it was time to return to these noble horses in a new way. Or, as I said to Gary: “It’s time to place our money where our mouth is.” Salesman embodies our further dedication to the breed and the Race industry. Thoroughbred aftercare is in perfect coordination with our beliefs and values. We look forward to offering more attention, support and participation in thoroughbred aftercare for many more years. We welcome everyone to participate in the mission with us.-Audra Mandella
The Jockey Club supports Many aftercare initiatives Including the thoroughbred Nacare Alliance, the only accrediting body in aftercare and thoroughbred Incentive program (tip), which encourages the retraining of thoroughbreds in other disciplines after completion of a career. View all the initiatives supported by the Jockey Club.
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