Secretariat son Innkeeper to stand at Virginia Tech’s MARE Center
Submitted by: Donna McDonald
Phone: 540-687-3521 ext 22
Email Address: dmcdo05(at)vt.edu
Date Added: 12/2/2010
Twenty-seven years after his triple-crown victory thrilled a nation, Big Red continues to win hearts. The hero of Disney’s long-awaited feature film is galloping strong at the box office, stirring memories in those who knew him and inspiring a new generation of fans. From racing to dressage, eventing to barrel racing, the chestnut legend has made his mark on many facets of equestrian sport. Meanwhile, Secretariat’s influence continues through the blood of his descendants, one of whom will soon have a new home at Virginia Tech’s Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE) Center.
By all rights, the 1988 Thoroughbred stallion Innkeeper should have followed in his father’s footsteps. His dam, Sue Babe, by Mr. Prospector and out of a Northern Dancer mare, was herself a stakeswinner and mother of the Irish Derby winner and well-known National Hunt sire Sir Harry Lewis. Purchased for just over $1.15 million as a yearling by D. Wayne Lukas, Innkeeper beat eventual Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold early in his two-year-old season. But it seems the great Secretariat cast too long a shadow. Innkeeper won his only start at three, but was then retired to stud.
Innkeeper sired two small crops in Florida, ranking nationally as a freshman sire, before slipping through the cracks. He was rediscovered as a 9-year-old by Ursula Ferrier, who found him in Connecticut performing as a show horse. “A friend of mine told me about him because he knew I wanted a good Thoroughbred stallion,” recalls Ferrier, “I took one look at him and took him home. It was the best snap decision I have ever made.”
A native of England, Ferrier has been breeding sport horses in the US for two decades. “Innkeeper is the consummate athlete,” says Ferrier. “He’s been a racehorse, a show hunter, an eventer and even dabbles in dressage. He’s safe enough to put a child on and on occasion he is a lesson horse for nervous, beginner riders.”
When asked why she decided to donate the 16.2 hand bay stallion to Virginia Tech’s MARE Center, Ferrier smiled. “I hadn't actually considered ever letting go of Innkeeper, but I have known of the Virginia Tech sport horse program for some time and I have been quite impressed. They have worked very hard to establish a working breeding operation with some really nice horses. I have seen the students at shows I attend and have loved watching the dedication they have. I hope great things will come from Innkeeper's addition to their stallion line up.” Innkeeper is one of only a handful of Thoroughbred stallions approved for breeding for sport horse registries in the United States.
Rebecca Splan, associate professor of equine science at the MARE Center, is equally excited about Innkeeper’s arrival. “We are looking forward to having him in our breeding program. He is a tremendously versatile sire, and his wonderful character will make him a great teacher for our students.”
As part of a semester-long internship and education program, undergraduates from across the country gain hands-on experience working with the MARE Center’s breeding herd. Innkeeper is slated to arrive at the 420-acre teaching, research and outreach facility shortly before the end of the year, and will stand to a limited book of outside mares in 2011.
Situated at the heart of Virginia’s horse country, the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE) Center is one of Virginia Tech’s 12 agricultural research and extension centers. Philanthropist Paul Mellon donated the 420-acre farm in 1949 to establish the Virginia Tech research hub dedicated to improving animal productivity while enhancing the land. Today, the MARE Center has grown into one of the world’s leading equine research, education and outreach facilities.For more information, please visit the Center’s website at www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/middleburg
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