PATROLLING FOR FOALS
Program allows fans to watch mares give birth
SARATOGASPRINGS, N.Y. » A foal’s birth is the most exciting part of racing because it could turn out to be a Kentucky Derby winner, said Marylou Whitney, one of the sport’s most prominent stable owners.
She and her husband, John Hendrickson, are literally opening the barn doors to the miracle of life by letting fans worldwide witness the foaling process, including live births, through a series of web cams at eight of the country’s most prestigious breeding farms.
Whitney and Hendrickson launched Foal Patrol, a National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame program on Tuesday, with dozens of well-wishers on hand.
“There’s hope, that’s the best part of owning a horse,” said Whitney, who turns 92 on Christmas Eve.
Hendrickson, the museum and Hall of Fame’s new president, said Foal Patrol “could be a game-changer for the industry” by attracting countless new fans. It’s modeled after April the Giraffe, whose live-streamed birthing at Animal Adventure Park, near Binghamton, was viewed by millions of viewers.
Hendrickson said he’s expecting similar results with Foal Patrol.
“That’s our goal because this can be accessed worldwide,” he said. “People will now have their own virtual stables right at their finger tips. It’s so important that we engage fans.”
Cameras are already up and running at three Kentucky farms — Three Chimneys, Claiborne and Shawnee — and may be viewed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the website: www.foalpatrol.com.
A large screen set up in the museum lobby let people see exactly what was going on, in the moment, at all three farms simultaneously.
Web cams will become operational at two New York Farms by the end of this week. They are Old Tavern Farm in Saratoga Springs, and Edition Farm in Hyde Park, where the mares Memento d’Oro and La Verdad, respectively, are in foal.
Two more Kentucky farms and another in Florida will join the program in March.
Foal Patrol gives fans an inside look at the daily routine of mares in foal. Viewing hours will be extended as each mare’s respective foaling date nears.
Whitney cut a special celebratory cake to mark the program’s start, joined by three local expectant moth- ers — Ginny Rosborough, Stefanie Wood and Catherine Hover — wearing Foal Patrol T-shirts.
“I met the prerequisite,” Hover said smiling, when asked how she was invited for the event.
Souvenir shirts and caps are available in the museum gift shop.
By going to the website, fans may also take part in Foal Patrol contests. The grand prize is a chance to watch the 2018 Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby from Whitney’s and Hendrickson’s box at the Churchill Downs finish line.
Another prizes gives fans a chance to name three foals.
“We need to bring new fans into the business,” said Sheila Rosenblum, owner of Lady Sheila Stable mare, La Verdad. “It was hard to say no when John asked to help launch something so brilliant.”
Old Tavern Farm owner Walt Borisenok said foals weigh 125-130 pounds when they’re born. Within two days, they’re up and running around.
“Racing fans, when they see this, are going to be addicted,” he said. “Even small farms have a chance to produce a champion.”