The Love of A Horse.. The Heart of a Racer

Voodoomon…..

Years ago a colt was born. He was a thoroughbred born into the racing industry. Not may people took notice of this little colt, he had a crooked head and not so perfect to the eye of many. He caught the eye and heart of one person who took notice of this boy, her name is Vanessa Nye. She did not know if he would race, bloodlines are bloodlines, but in the past years we have seen those horses that no one ever thought would win, end up in the winner’s circle at some of the most prestigious races in our country. To be a winner in the racing industry the horse must have “the heart of a racer.” Vanessa did not know if Voodoomon had the ability or the heart yet, she just knew she had fallen in love with this boy.

Through their years together Voodoomon and Vanessa formed a bond like no other, Vanessa’s horses are her family. It’s not just about the race; it is about the horse and the love of a horse. When it was time for him to start his training he showed her what she and her trainers had waited to see. Voodoomon was a racehorse, he had the heart. Voodoomon loved the race and Vanessa loved Voodoomon.

At one point in his career he was claimed in a race. Vanessa always kept track of Voodoomon. When Voodoomon was claimed by a farm that she was not happy with Vanessa went and reclaimed her her boy.

After a layoff it was going to be decided if Voodoomon still wanted to race, he did. This was one Thoroughbred that was born to race and he loved the race.

On May 28, 2009 Voodoomon once again was doing what he loved…running the race. Sadly, in this race Voodoomon broke his leg and had to be humanely euthanized. His mom, Vanessa was there with him. She had to say good-bye to her crooked head boy that she loved so dearly. I can only imagine the pain of the trip home, the heartbreak and the frustration. He lived a fantastic life with Vanessa, he was very loved… not all horses can say that. I am sure Voodoomon is looking down on Vanessa and the rest of her horses…with a big whinny saying.. “Thanks Mom… a better life a horse has never had… and I will be waiting for you. You watched over me all my life and now I will watch over you…”

On a personal note from me, when Vanessa was finally able to speak about Voodoomon with me it was a conversation that although I started out crying, after listening to the story of this little man who loved to race and hearing the love Vanessa and others had for this boy, my heart filled with happiness knowing that throughout this boy’s life .. it was all good… I wish every racehorse had a Voodoomon story.