The news Monday from Amanda Duckworth that the dam of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is pensioned from breeding duty reminded me of one of the coolest sights I’d ever seen as a reporter.
La Ville Rouge no longer is at Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington, where she was boarded when I saw her in 2007 while doing a feature story.
What was most memorable was La Ville Rouge’s paddock pal, a mare named Set Them Free. Set Them Free’s famous son, for those who aren’t aware, is 2005 Derby winner Giacomo.
So, in one field of bluegrass, roamed two dams of Kentucky Derby winners — thoroughbred queens in an exclusive club. No mare has been the dam of two Derby winners (Margaret Lawrence was the mother of Kentucky Oaks winner Inscolassie and Derby winner Lawrin.)
I’ve always wondered how rare the sight of two Derby dams in one field was — probably not so rare in the heyday of Calumet Farm or Col. E.R. Bradley. But at least in modern times, this has to be rare.
Here’s to a happy ever after for La Ville Rouge.
