Double millionaire trotting mare When Dovescry has been retired from racing.
Hunterton Farm announced on Thursday, Dec. 15 the addition of When Dovescry to its broodmare band. John Lengacher has retained the majority ownership of the $2.2 million winner with Hunterton’s owners Cindy and Steve Stewart buying a share.
“We’re honoured to have a mare of her calibre in our fold,” said Steve Stewart. “I’ve followed her career closely and knew when she won the Hambletonian Oaks as a three-year-old she was something special.”
Bred by Bill Weaver, When Dovescry is the first foal from another remarkable trotting mare, Cedar Dove, who earned well over $1 million during her career. Sold for $205,000 as a yearling, When Dovescry earned her purchase price back and more in her first year of racing taking in more than $290,000 from just eight starts as a two-year-old.
At the conclusion of her three-year-old season, the daughter of Muscle Hill was honoured as the top of her division with the Dan Patch Award. She went on to become one of the premier Open trotting mares of all time and retired late last month with a summary of 23-20-11 from 63 lifetime starts and earnings totalling $2,200,263. Her life mark is 1:50 earned as a four-year-old and matched again this year at age six.
“She’s the best horse I’ve owned,” noted Lengacher, who already has a few mares with Hunterton. “They do a really good job with their horses and I knew when she retired that’s where she would go. They have a wonderful reputation and do a first-class job selling their yearlings. I also think the bluegrass is perfect for raising the babies. It’s a good partnership.”
“One of the best parts of our job is looking after these really great mares,” noted Stewart. “When Dovescry is an absolute sweetheart. When I spoke to her trainer Brett Pelling about her, he said she was 'total class.’ I’ve been a supporter of Muscle Hill from the start of his stallion career and a trait I’ve noticed with a lot of his offspring is they are extra intelligent horses. And that certainly applies to her.”
When Dovescry will be allowed to decompress from her impressive racing career before transitioning to her new role as a broodmare. She’ll be bred to Walner early in the new year.
(With files from Hunterton Farm)