GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
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GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
9 years 7 months ago - 9 years 7 months ago
GWHT(girl with the horse tatoo) sacked after the biggest victory of he career
Trainer sacked one day after fairytale Cup win
By Nicholas Godfrey racingpost.com
USA: It did not take long for a Breeders' Cup fairytale to turn sour after Maria Borell, the little-known trainer who saddled Runhappy to a track-record victory in the $1.5 million Sprint, was reportedly fired.
Borell, who trained just three horses, was stunned as she claimed only the sixth winner of her short career in Saturday's Breeders' Cup contest with a colt owned by wacky furniture magnate Jim 'Mattress Mack' McIngvale.
Not even 24 hours after a famous triumph, however, it seems she has been informed that Runhappy will be taken away from her. “Just went from the best day of my life to the worst day of my life,” Borell wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
The Runhappy team had gained popularity for running the colt Lasix-free, while Borell was also in the news as 'The Girl with the Horse Tattoo' owing to the image of Kentucky Derby victor Sunday Silence she has emblazoned across her shoulder blades.
Maria Borell's Sunday Silence tattoo
Maria Borell's tattoo of Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence
According to the Blood-Horse, the decision to remove Runhappy from Borell's small Kentucky stable came after a disagreement on Sunday morning between the trainer and McIngvale's racing manager Laura Wohlers, who is the owner's sister-in-law.
“Runhappy had fill and heat in an ankle this morning, Laura wanted to send him to the track,” tweeted Borell. “Now she tells me I'm gone.”
Wohlers, who had trained the Super Saver colt before he was sent to Borell, told reporters the decision to move had been taken well before Sunday's row. She added that it was customary for Runhappy to jog after his races, and a vet had not found any problem.
“The decision to move in a different direction was not made today," said Wohlers, speaking to the Blood-Horse. “This morning there was no filling. I've checked horses 100,000 times in my life. He had some heat, but nothing more than any other horse who ran 1m08s and change. We jog him after races to get rid of lactic acid build-up and she has disagreed in the past.”
The owner's daughter Laura McIngvale Brown added: “This is an issue that has actually been going on for quite a while. My dad wants to be very honest with people...we really respect Maria. We think she's done a great job, but unfortunately it was time for us, as a team, to move forward.”
Running without anti-bleeding medication, Runhappy completed a five-race winning streak for Borell in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, after which he was on the radar of the Royal Ascot team for next year's meeting.
Trainer sacked one day after fairytale Cup win
By Nicholas Godfrey racingpost.com
USA: It did not take long for a Breeders' Cup fairytale to turn sour after Maria Borell, the little-known trainer who saddled Runhappy to a track-record victory in the $1.5 million Sprint, was reportedly fired.
Borell, who trained just three horses, was stunned as she claimed only the sixth winner of her short career in Saturday's Breeders' Cup contest with a colt owned by wacky furniture magnate Jim 'Mattress Mack' McIngvale.
Not even 24 hours after a famous triumph, however, it seems she has been informed that Runhappy will be taken away from her. “Just went from the best day of my life to the worst day of my life,” Borell wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
The Runhappy team had gained popularity for running the colt Lasix-free, while Borell was also in the news as 'The Girl with the Horse Tattoo' owing to the image of Kentucky Derby victor Sunday Silence she has emblazoned across her shoulder blades.
Maria Borell's Sunday Silence tattoo
Maria Borell's tattoo of Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence
According to the Blood-Horse, the decision to remove Runhappy from Borell's small Kentucky stable came after a disagreement on Sunday morning between the trainer and McIngvale's racing manager Laura Wohlers, who is the owner's sister-in-law.
“Runhappy had fill and heat in an ankle this morning, Laura wanted to send him to the track,” tweeted Borell. “Now she tells me I'm gone.”
Wohlers, who had trained the Super Saver colt before he was sent to Borell, told reporters the decision to move had been taken well before Sunday's row. She added that it was customary for Runhappy to jog after his races, and a vet had not found any problem.
“The decision to move in a different direction was not made today," said Wohlers, speaking to the Blood-Horse. “This morning there was no filling. I've checked horses 100,000 times in my life. He had some heat, but nothing more than any other horse who ran 1m08s and change. We jog him after races to get rid of lactic acid build-up and she has disagreed in the past.”
The owner's daughter Laura McIngvale Brown added: “This is an issue that has actually been going on for quite a while. My dad wants to be very honest with people...we really respect Maria. We think she's done a great job, but unfortunately it was time for us, as a team, to move forward.”
Running without anti-bleeding medication, Runhappy completed a five-race winning streak for Borell in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, after which he was on the radar of the Royal Ascot team for next year's meeting.
Last edit: 9 years 7 months ago by Bob Brogan.
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- Dave Scott
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Re: GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
9 years 7 months ago
Sad always plenty drama in this game, hero to zero
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- naresh
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- Dave Scott
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Re: GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
9 years 7 months ago
If she is battling Friday night at Hangover?
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- rob faux
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Re: GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
9 years 7 months ago
"Wohlers,who had trained the horse before.................."
Wow,I guess there wasn't an ounce of jealousy and I bet Wohlers is a "real Sweety...LOL
Wow,I guess there wasn't an ounce of jealousy and I bet Wohlers is a "real Sweety...LOL

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- TheBluntPunt
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- johnnycomelately
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Re: GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
9 years 7 months ago
Why wait until the horse complete's a five-timer :huh:
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- Bob Brogan
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Re: GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
9 years 7 months agojohnnycomelately wrote: Why wait until the horse complete's a five-timer :huh:
Trainer refused to let the horse work the day after as she thought he carried a niggle seemingly..
But like in South Africa the owners ear was probablt bent by someone jealous of the trainers legs
Borell defends training of Runhappy following sack
By Peter Scargill 8:00AM 4 NOV 2015
USA: Maria Borell has defended her training of Runhappy saying she did "nothing that was not in the best interests" of the Breeders' Cup Sprint winner.
Borell was sacked as the trainer of Runhappy less than 24 hours after their Breeders' Cup triumph following a disagreement with the owners over the horse's post-race recovery regime.
Runhappy's owners, led by Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, were unhappy Borell refused to follow the three-year-old's normal routine to jog around the track after racing with the trainer believing the horse had "fill and heat" in his fetlock the day after the race.
Borell said she stood behind her decision not to take Runhappy out on the day after his run at Keeneland and added she was "crushed" by what had happened.
Writing on her Facebook page, Borell said: "I haven't said anything in public in an attempt to take the high road and not say anything derogatory about my former employers despite their condemnation of me. So all I wish to say at this time is I did nothing that was not in the best interests of Runhappy, who I miss dearly.
"He was my life and I stand behind my skills as a lifelong horsewoman when I say he had heat in his ankle the day after the race. I would have gone with him anywhere."
Cherished memories
Borell added: "For now I want to thank all those who have supported me with such fervor and in such large numbers. I truly appreciate it and, although crushed by this sudden turn of events, I hope to be back training good horses again in the near future.
"I cherish every moment I had with 'Happy' and that one magical day we shared. I can only dream of putting my hands on another one like him again someday."
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- BATMAN
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Re: GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
9 years 7 months ago
I remember the kimberly horse that won a graded race first time out in jhb, Then the normal thing of a owner getting dreams and what ifs...take the horse away and turns things sour and that was the end of the horse who didnt do much after that.
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- naresh
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Re: GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
9 years 7 months agoBATMAN wrote: I remember the kimberly horse that won a graded race first time out in jhb, Then the normal thing of a owner getting dreams and what ifs...take the horse away and turns things sour and that was the end of the horse who didnt do much after that.
It ran 2 fourths's in 2 Grade 1's after that. Also won a Grade 3 beating Cherry on the Top, the future Triple Tiara winner albeit getting loads of weight.
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- naresh
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Re: GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
8 years 11 months ago - 8 years 11 months ago
Things not looking good for her :ohmy: A sad demise 
As the pickup truck hauling a horse trailer came to a stop at the end of a long, rutted driveway in rural Mercer County, Ky., June 28, volunteers who met the driver were hopeful the vehicle was there to remove several of the approximately 43 horses they have been caring for since they were abandoned four weeks ago.
One of the volunteers began to sob when the trailer door was opened to reveal much-needed supplies that had been paid for by a growing list of donors since the plight of the horses was reported and widely disseminated via social media.
Several hours later, two horses that were deemed among those to be in greatest need of veterinary care were loaded onto the trailer and left the farm located about seven miles outside Harrodsburg, Ky., and 40 miles southwest of Lexington. Rusty Ford of the Kentucky Office of the State Veterinarian said local officials, who had been working with state veterinary and agriculture department representatives to try to determine who owns the animals, who is culpable, and the extent of the culpability, had granted permission to transport six of the horses—three of which were described as emaciated—to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation farm at the Blackburn Correction Center near Lexington.
Early in the afternoon, a Sallee horse van also arrived at the farm to take several more of the horses to TRF.
Ford said now that Mercer County officials have agreed to allow horses to be relocated while the investigation continues, state officials are working with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and other organizations to find new homes for the horses.
"We have a solution for meeting the short-term needs and now we're working on the logistics and the investigational aspects are moving forward," Ford said.
One of the volunteers, who requested anonymity, said she and the others were motivated only by a desire to help the animals and are grateful that help is finally coming after such a long time.
"It changes everything from today," the woman said. "It means that the horses are finally going to be able to have their stalls cleaned regularly, they are going to have food, and they are going to have farrier care. It is still going to be a very long process because there are a lot of horses that are going to need new home
Some of the horses were in worse condition than others and fit the assessment provided by state officials who said three are emaciated, 10 are underweight, 14 are of suitable weight, and eight are overweight.
The plight of the horses was first reported by USRacing.com in an article by Margaret Ransom that said most of the horses are on property leased by Chuck Borell, whose daughter, Maria, saddled Gallery Furniture Stable’s Runhappy to win last year’s TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I).
“Though the owner of the horses is believed to be either Maria Borell and/or her father, for months the pair have pointed fingers back and forth regarding the ownership status of the horses, as well as who is responsible for their care,” US Racing reported. “However, in several recent text messages, Maria Borell has claimed the horses are hers and said, ‘Nobody is taking my horses.' "
Supplies to help feed and bed the horses have come from various sources, and there is a Gofundme.com page set up for contributions: www.gofundme.com/AbandonedHorseFund .
The property that includes several barns, run-in sheds, and a residence with a log exterior is listed for sale by Disponett Realty for $499,900.

As the pickup truck hauling a horse trailer came to a stop at the end of a long, rutted driveway in rural Mercer County, Ky., June 28, volunteers who met the driver were hopeful the vehicle was there to remove several of the approximately 43 horses they have been caring for since they were abandoned four weeks ago.
One of the volunteers began to sob when the trailer door was opened to reveal much-needed supplies that had been paid for by a growing list of donors since the plight of the horses was reported and widely disseminated via social media.
Several hours later, two horses that were deemed among those to be in greatest need of veterinary care were loaded onto the trailer and left the farm located about seven miles outside Harrodsburg, Ky., and 40 miles southwest of Lexington. Rusty Ford of the Kentucky Office of the State Veterinarian said local officials, who had been working with state veterinary and agriculture department representatives to try to determine who owns the animals, who is culpable, and the extent of the culpability, had granted permission to transport six of the horses—three of which were described as emaciated—to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation farm at the Blackburn Correction Center near Lexington.
Early in the afternoon, a Sallee horse van also arrived at the farm to take several more of the horses to TRF.
Ford said now that Mercer County officials have agreed to allow horses to be relocated while the investigation continues, state officials are working with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and other organizations to find new homes for the horses.
"We have a solution for meeting the short-term needs and now we're working on the logistics and the investigational aspects are moving forward," Ford said.
One of the volunteers, who requested anonymity, said she and the others were motivated only by a desire to help the animals and are grateful that help is finally coming after such a long time.
"It changes everything from today," the woman said. "It means that the horses are finally going to be able to have their stalls cleaned regularly, they are going to have food, and they are going to have farrier care. It is still going to be a very long process because there are a lot of horses that are going to need new home
Some of the horses were in worse condition than others and fit the assessment provided by state officials who said three are emaciated, 10 are underweight, 14 are of suitable weight, and eight are overweight.
The plight of the horses was first reported by USRacing.com in an article by Margaret Ransom that said most of the horses are on property leased by Chuck Borell, whose daughter, Maria, saddled Gallery Furniture Stable’s Runhappy to win last year’s TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I).
“Though the owner of the horses is believed to be either Maria Borell and/or her father, for months the pair have pointed fingers back and forth regarding the ownership status of the horses, as well as who is responsible for their care,” US Racing reported. “However, in several recent text messages, Maria Borell has claimed the horses are hers and said, ‘Nobody is taking my horses.' "
Supplies to help feed and bed the horses have come from various sources, and there is a Gofundme.com page set up for contributions: www.gofundme.com/AbandonedHorseFund .
The property that includes several barns, run-in sheds, and a residence with a log exterior is listed for sale by Disponett Realty for $499,900.
Last edit: 8 years 11 months ago by naresh.
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- Bob Brogan
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Re: GWHT sacked after the biggest victory of her life
8 years 11 months ago
If she needs a bed , I'll give her another chance

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