In the world of horse racing, owners and trainers look for reasons to not like horses. A subpar conformation or a less than perfect pedigree is usually reason enough to send investors and conditioners packing. That’s why the story of Tough Sunday, a colt born deaf, blind and without nursing instinct, is news. He didn’t just overcome a trying labour and physical deficiencies, he’s recovered, he's made it to the races, and he’s won.
If it wasn’t for the keen eye of breeder Nick Alexander, the three-year-old Thoroughbred may not have even had the chance at life.
A story on the colt by the Pasadena Star-News explains that a trying labour saw Tough Sunday go five minutes without oxygen when he was born. The situation led to the colt’s deafness, blindness and lack of nursing instinct.
As the article explains, Tough Sunday was not responding well a week after his birth. Showing signs of what some refer to as ‘dumb foal syndrome,’ Tough Sunday was in an intensive care unit when Alexander saw something which made him go all in on saving the youngster.
Alexander told the Pasadena Star-News that one morning, while distraught over what decision to make with the foal, he “walked by his window in the ICU.” Alexander said “I saw his head, and his eyes followed me and I thought, ‘Wow, he can see.’”
The flicker of hope was enough for Alexander to give Tough Sunday every chance to show the world what he was made of. The article goes on to state that, after eventually being turned out with other foals and mares, Tough Sunday went on to do everything that normal foals do. Now, Tough Sunday is showing everyone that trusting your instincts is key.
For more on Alexander and Tough Sunday, read the Pasadena Star-News article in its entirety by clicking here
(With files from the Pasadena Star-News)
So it seems from this article
So it seems from this article that the horse was able to see. Does anyone know if it can hear?
"I saw his head, and his eyes followed me and I thought, ‘Wow, he can see.’ ”"