Post by Isabelle on Oct 31, 2015 22:45:34 GMT -5
NOVEMBER 2015 STABLE INTERVIEW WITH NATURE BLUE STABLES (SAMMY)
Many of you have been following the progress of Nature Blue Stables, a stable that had a bit of hiatus this season but has come back full force. Today I am sitting down with Samantha Mack, co-owner of NBS, for a background and tour of this talented stable and to see where they are headed the rest of this season, and into the next.
Isabelle: Ms. Mack, thank you for meeting with me. I was very happy when Nature Blue Stables picked up again this Autumn, what can you tells us about your hiatus, and how does it feel to be back?
SM: The hiatus we took was simply because me and Nakita both needed a vacation she went back home while I took off some time for personal family matters. It feels good to be back although our hiatus was during a primal period of major races but we hope to make up for that in the next season along.
Isabelle: Could you go into a few details for me about the stable. How long has it been active? Where did it get its origins?
SM: The stable has been active for I want to say 3-4 years I think we opened our doors in 2013 where we started by the name of Bowen Acres Stables it was just me, Chris, and Angela who started the base of the business. Our stables were small where we had some rescued thoroughbreds as you all know, Passionate Ruler, Heart of Stone, and Noalla first started. We are still progressing as the years go along. Nature Blues thrives on just being noticeable we are proud of the horses we have and each day we are still learning new things. We are inspired by others who offer us a challenge.
Isabelle: What does NBS focus on, any particular surface, furlong lengths, or bloodlines? Besides winning of course, what sort of objectives and goals do you have?
SM: Well so far we have favored more so of the dirt surfaces most of our horses have progressed there although we do have a few dual surfaced and turf surfaced I think next season some of our dual horses will start the turf seasons. Umm most of our bloodlines as you see would come from True Enough but we do have a lot of other lines here as well War Admiral, Bucephalus, etc. Our goal is just to keep fighting and whether a horse wins or loses we never thrive to give up on them, some horses just no longer have that urge to keep racing after their fourth year so we decide to retire them if we see fit. As for furlongs we are still experimenting in that feature so we shall see.
Isabelle: True Enough certainly has proven himself. Please explain the basic roster you hold, do you like to campaign racers for a few years or hold them on longer? Do you prefer racing or breeding more, and what are your future plans for bloodline stock?
SM: This is a tough question I will give you that hahaha. It depends on a certain bloodline on which we hold them longer but if we feel a horse does not seek well with our training we offer an opportunity for other methods take for example Passion Heart, an extremely aggressive filly we thought would become unraceable with our trainers and jockeys trying to fit her was not working so we made the best decision to let possibly another stable take on the challenge for her and Grayson Meadows took her in their wing and look at her now a Grade One Usurper Mare. Our future bloodlines well we may try to keep to our own bloodlines for a bit but we are still going over our breeding roster, we will not give out to much detail at this time.
Isabelle: Passion Heart is a household name for sure, it takes courage to let a horse go and try with someone else, that was a very commendable action by you. In what areas does your staff shine, are they any you would like recognize? How long have you worked with them, are you looking to expand your staff? Could you give us a little more info on Nakita Rose, the other co-owner of Nature Blue?
SM: They shine most on training and developing a relationship with the horses they are either riding or training. We are in the process of hiring more staff at the moment we are just holding off until the newer seasons arise. Ah yes Nakita, I met her when on a trip to England to take a look at international breeders at the time I was struggling to keep the stable open and she shared a similar interest and bought half the stable so we share it equally I manage the horses she manages the farm. She will be around more next year.
Isabelle: What would you both consider the greatest assets of NBS in terms of staff, training, facilities and general operations, not including the horses? Are there any areas you don't agree on specifically, or do you all have like minds?
SM: Our staff team is still developing and I think our greatest assets are our trainers and jockeys who spend most of their time with our horses. Yes many just show up for the race and leave after but we like our jockeys to bond with the horses they are riding to build trust. We are still understanding a few training methods but we do have a like mind. It is pretty much an open book.
Isabelle: It's very true that a jockey can make or break a race. Ms. Mack, what makes you passionate about NB? What drives you in your career and how does NB support that? How do you give back to NB what you feel you receive from it?
SM: I am passionate about animals in particular, at first we wanted to start out as just a Thoroughbred rescue but with much help and patience we decided to start our own racing stable. Seeing the horses run and just their beauty and what they can do drives me their personality is amazing.
Isabelle: Has Nature Blue won any stable awards? Do you have any HOF or BHOF horses residing with you? If so, where they ones you campaigned or did you acquire them once their status was already established?
SM: Well not at the moment however Reflected in Water got the encouragement award twice in a row following Y14 May horse of the Month. And we have one and his name is True Enough and we acquired him after he retained his Hall of Fame status but he was within our stables when he was inducted into the Breeding Hall of Fame. Our stable also required the Y15 Usurper Award to GS SuperCharged through the Wire.
Isabelle: I'm avidly looking forward to my tour through the stables now. Could we begin with the older racehorses? Please tell me about your stars, the ones who will be going to breeding in the next year or so. Which should be watched in particular and why? I have quite an interest in Tears No More, any secrets you can let me on with him?
SM: Our older racing string I think holds the most in numbers right now we have quite a few going to the breeding barn. Our older stars everyone knows are Reflected in Water, Tears No More, Rules of Passion, and Manhattan Royalty although we will continue racing Reflected in Water in Y16, Tears No More will also race parts of Y16...I am actually glad you brought him up he will race half of Y16 this season he was taken off the track to rest and now we feel he will be a charm into the Y16 season. We haven't found any potential dates for him as a stud yet but I feel his reserves will go quite nicely after all this is the half brother of Tears of Blood.
Isabelle: Do you have a favorite for this year out of your three year olds? How is Noadiance doing, you and I are in some cahoots about a potential match for him with NDM's Barely A Sound.
SM: Well I have quite a few favorite three year old's and while Noadiance is at the top of the list I really like Jazzasoleil she has the attitude and glamour of her famous half brother Anodyne. She will definitely come around next season and I see her becoming a older horse competitor. Noah is doing rather well and what is expected and yes I think Whisper and Noah will make a wonderful foal much spunk like most Radiance lined foals.
Isabelle: I can hardly wait for that bundle to arrive down the road. Did your juveniles had a good first year running? I've been peeking at Dark Intentions, as I own his dam. Any comments for him?
SM: Yes well I can admit our juveniles this season were a bit on the moody side and I think our hiatus from the tracks may have left a pinch in that. Dark Intentions I think will grow into maturity he has great plans coming. We do have a lot of tempered juveniles this season we will avoid this next season.
Isabelle: Can you select a favorite yearling and weanling to bring into the spotlight-I know how hard that can be to choose! I'm really interested in Tuff E' Nuff and Dogma. Any future hopes for them surfacing early?
SM: Oh this topic is my favorite I love weanlings as much as I love Yearlings. Tuff E' Nuff is my favorite yearling so far he is maturing quite nicely and I can assure you he is not your typical True Enough colt where True stands around 15 hands high, Striker will mature to 17 hands. Tuff E'Nuff I see him doing wonderful things we had no issues with his training for a saddle everyone is in for a surprise with him I will guarantee that. Ah yes Dogma our War Admiral lined yearling, with proper ease I see him becoming he is a sweet heart but we feel that when he matures we think you will see more of The Underdog traits within him. As for my favorite weanling well I have a surprise for that and that is our Impressario colt In My Remains. So far he is showing traits of Impressario with his temper but I assure you he will do wonderful things.
Isabelle: Best of luck with that, Impressario is becoming a very renowned stud, I can see great things there. How is your breeding stock filling out over the years, since you established a special breeding division? What would you consider to be your foundation NBS lines that others might look to for future reserves? Perhaps I could sneak a little extra reserve in somewhere? -laughs-
SM: On the contrary we have many reserves still to fill and we do favor more towards the dirt surfaces but we don't shy away from the turf division either. We have a few foundation lined horses to offer like Imitation Black sold to us in the honor of Witch Creek stables. He is a new stud or so his first foal is finishing off the juvenile season quite alright. Then we have Passionate Ruler another turf favorite although he was un-raced he is the sire of the well known Passion Heart and Rules of Passion. -laughs back in return- I am sure we can squeeze a reserve for you somewhere.
Isabelle: Give me a jingle anytime on that -wink-! Ms. Mack, is there a certain special horse around here that perhaps hasn't won major races or bred exceptional foals necessarily, but holds a special place for you or NBS?
SM: Yes, my personal favorite here would have to be Noadiance he was our very first horse born on at the time we were known as Bowen Acres before Nature Blues entirely so he would technically be the first to start out our racing community. To me Noah doesn't have to win the big horse of the year races he is a treasure and I think many people here adore Noah in some sense. I do hope that when he does retire that people do take interest in him because he has certainly won my heart over many times.
Isabelle: Such a sweet story. Please let us know which horse has made the greatest contribution to NBS and why.
SM: The greatest contribution? I would say True Enough, while we didn't race him he gave us some popularity with his legend title all thanks to Stride of Perfection stables. Through racing well honestly GS SuperCharged he was a work in progress at first and he did have his ups and downs Ben certainly pulled through and surprised near the end becoming a Grade One undercard challenger. We have a lot of contributors here not just one but many.
Isabelle: Which horse are you personally the most proud of, and why?
SM: There is just so much but if I have to choose so you say I would have to choose Reflected in Water. We purchased her early in her juvenile career with only one race to her name. She was quite the spunky filly and for her second race in her career she won the Orchid Cup Fillies and just progressed from there. It is through her where we took interest in the True Enough and Radiance lines. I say she is one of our star pupils.
Isabelle: What are the plans for the rest of this racing season, any special campaigns or horses being retired before the end of the year?
SM: Well just a few weeks until the Breeders Cup we have a few horses entered there as for those retiring well we do have a few A Royal Legacy will enter into the breeding barn come Y16, We are hopeful his offspring will be glorious in the future. Our humble Red Admiral will also end her racing season sometime in February we are proud of what she had done and has surprised us. Rules of Passion will be settling into the broodmare barn as well soon enough although I can assure you that mare is every ounce of her mother so taking her off the tracks will not be a pleasant one.
Isabelle: I think I'll take your word for it and hang out at another barn during that race weaning time for her -laugh-! As a longer standing stable around GHF/TW, do you have any suggestions or advice for those older than you, those who are your peers, and those up and coming stables who are just getting into the business?
SM: Any Suggestions? You are quite hilarious, all I can say is that be prepared for the future our future breedings. And for future stables coming into the business I think I would say take your time one day you will train a horse that will exceed to be a legend.
Isabelle: Which stable do you admire the most, and why? Do you have any particular business friends that have inspired you or lifelong friendships that have supported you?
SM: Well all the stables here inspire me they have been here a lot longer then we have although I did take an interest in Stride of Perfections they really helped us progress in way. I remember Ms. Amber Black helping us acquire GS SuperCharged. We are still shy in the meeting department but we are coming around great.
Isabelle: Don't be a stranger around NDM. Do you have any last comments you'd like to say about yourself, your staff, the horses, or NBS itself?
SM: Just that we are doing an extremely excellent job and to keep up the good work one of these years perhaps one of our horses will win a crown.
Isabelle: Well Ms. Mack, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with you and your amazing Thoroughbreds at NBS. I can tell what a commitment you have to the well being and careers of the horses you have here. I truly think that you have got some great racers just bursting to come out next season, when those racing gates open for the first time I bet you'll see some startling career boosts! We have some foals already planned out and I'm sure in the next foaling season or two your bloodlines will definitely be in among more stables around here.
Many of you have been following the progress of Nature Blue Stables, a stable that had a bit of hiatus this season but has come back full force. Today I am sitting down with Samantha Mack, co-owner of NBS, for a background and tour of this talented stable and to see where they are headed the rest of this season, and into the next.
Isabelle: Ms. Mack, thank you for meeting with me. I was very happy when Nature Blue Stables picked up again this Autumn, what can you tells us about your hiatus, and how does it feel to be back?
SM: The hiatus we took was simply because me and Nakita both needed a vacation she went back home while I took off some time for personal family matters. It feels good to be back although our hiatus was during a primal period of major races but we hope to make up for that in the next season along.
Isabelle: Could you go into a few details for me about the stable. How long has it been active? Where did it get its origins?
SM: The stable has been active for I want to say 3-4 years I think we opened our doors in 2013 where we started by the name of Bowen Acres Stables it was just me, Chris, and Angela who started the base of the business. Our stables were small where we had some rescued thoroughbreds as you all know, Passionate Ruler, Heart of Stone, and Noalla first started. We are still progressing as the years go along. Nature Blues thrives on just being noticeable we are proud of the horses we have and each day we are still learning new things. We are inspired by others who offer us a challenge.
Isabelle: What does NBS focus on, any particular surface, furlong lengths, or bloodlines? Besides winning of course, what sort of objectives and goals do you have?
SM: Well so far we have favored more so of the dirt surfaces most of our horses have progressed there although we do have a few dual surfaced and turf surfaced I think next season some of our dual horses will start the turf seasons. Umm most of our bloodlines as you see would come from True Enough but we do have a lot of other lines here as well War Admiral, Bucephalus, etc. Our goal is just to keep fighting and whether a horse wins or loses we never thrive to give up on them, some horses just no longer have that urge to keep racing after their fourth year so we decide to retire them if we see fit. As for furlongs we are still experimenting in that feature so we shall see.
Isabelle: True Enough certainly has proven himself. Please explain the basic roster you hold, do you like to campaign racers for a few years or hold them on longer? Do you prefer racing or breeding more, and what are your future plans for bloodline stock?
SM: This is a tough question I will give you that hahaha. It depends on a certain bloodline on which we hold them longer but if we feel a horse does not seek well with our training we offer an opportunity for other methods take for example Passion Heart, an extremely aggressive filly we thought would become unraceable with our trainers and jockeys trying to fit her was not working so we made the best decision to let possibly another stable take on the challenge for her and Grayson Meadows took her in their wing and look at her now a Grade One Usurper Mare. Our future bloodlines well we may try to keep to our own bloodlines for a bit but we are still going over our breeding roster, we will not give out to much detail at this time.
Isabelle: Passion Heart is a household name for sure, it takes courage to let a horse go and try with someone else, that was a very commendable action by you. In what areas does your staff shine, are they any you would like recognize? How long have you worked with them, are you looking to expand your staff? Could you give us a little more info on Nakita Rose, the other co-owner of Nature Blue?
SM: They shine most on training and developing a relationship with the horses they are either riding or training. We are in the process of hiring more staff at the moment we are just holding off until the newer seasons arise. Ah yes Nakita, I met her when on a trip to England to take a look at international breeders at the time I was struggling to keep the stable open and she shared a similar interest and bought half the stable so we share it equally I manage the horses she manages the farm. She will be around more next year.
Isabelle: What would you both consider the greatest assets of NBS in terms of staff, training, facilities and general operations, not including the horses? Are there any areas you don't agree on specifically, or do you all have like minds?
SM: Our staff team is still developing and I think our greatest assets are our trainers and jockeys who spend most of their time with our horses. Yes many just show up for the race and leave after but we like our jockeys to bond with the horses they are riding to build trust. We are still understanding a few training methods but we do have a like mind. It is pretty much an open book.
Isabelle: It's very true that a jockey can make or break a race. Ms. Mack, what makes you passionate about NB? What drives you in your career and how does NB support that? How do you give back to NB what you feel you receive from it?
SM: I am passionate about animals in particular, at first we wanted to start out as just a Thoroughbred rescue but with much help and patience we decided to start our own racing stable. Seeing the horses run and just their beauty and what they can do drives me their personality is amazing.
Isabelle: Has Nature Blue won any stable awards? Do you have any HOF or BHOF horses residing with you? If so, where they ones you campaigned or did you acquire them once their status was already established?
SM: Well not at the moment however Reflected in Water got the encouragement award twice in a row following Y14 May horse of the Month. And we have one and his name is True Enough and we acquired him after he retained his Hall of Fame status but he was within our stables when he was inducted into the Breeding Hall of Fame. Our stable also required the Y15 Usurper Award to GS SuperCharged through the Wire.
Isabelle: I'm avidly looking forward to my tour through the stables now. Could we begin with the older racehorses? Please tell me about your stars, the ones who will be going to breeding in the next year or so. Which should be watched in particular and why? I have quite an interest in Tears No More, any secrets you can let me on with him?
SM: Our older racing string I think holds the most in numbers right now we have quite a few going to the breeding barn. Our older stars everyone knows are Reflected in Water, Tears No More, Rules of Passion, and Manhattan Royalty although we will continue racing Reflected in Water in Y16, Tears No More will also race parts of Y16...I am actually glad you brought him up he will race half of Y16 this season he was taken off the track to rest and now we feel he will be a charm into the Y16 season. We haven't found any potential dates for him as a stud yet but I feel his reserves will go quite nicely after all this is the half brother of Tears of Blood.
Isabelle: Do you have a favorite for this year out of your three year olds? How is Noadiance doing, you and I are in some cahoots about a potential match for him with NDM's Barely A Sound.
SM: Well I have quite a few favorite three year old's and while Noadiance is at the top of the list I really like Jazzasoleil she has the attitude and glamour of her famous half brother Anodyne. She will definitely come around next season and I see her becoming a older horse competitor. Noah is doing rather well and what is expected and yes I think Whisper and Noah will make a wonderful foal much spunk like most Radiance lined foals.
Isabelle: I can hardly wait for that bundle to arrive down the road. Did your juveniles had a good first year running? I've been peeking at Dark Intentions, as I own his dam. Any comments for him?
SM: Yes well I can admit our juveniles this season were a bit on the moody side and I think our hiatus from the tracks may have left a pinch in that. Dark Intentions I think will grow into maturity he has great plans coming. We do have a lot of tempered juveniles this season we will avoid this next season.
Isabelle: Can you select a favorite yearling and weanling to bring into the spotlight-I know how hard that can be to choose! I'm really interested in Tuff E' Nuff and Dogma. Any future hopes for them surfacing early?
SM: Oh this topic is my favorite I love weanlings as much as I love Yearlings. Tuff E' Nuff is my favorite yearling so far he is maturing quite nicely and I can assure you he is not your typical True Enough colt where True stands around 15 hands high, Striker will mature to 17 hands. Tuff E'Nuff I see him doing wonderful things we had no issues with his training for a saddle everyone is in for a surprise with him I will guarantee that. Ah yes Dogma our War Admiral lined yearling, with proper ease I see him becoming he is a sweet heart but we feel that when he matures we think you will see more of The Underdog traits within him. As for my favorite weanling well I have a surprise for that and that is our Impressario colt In My Remains. So far he is showing traits of Impressario with his temper but I assure you he will do wonderful things.
Isabelle: Best of luck with that, Impressario is becoming a very renowned stud, I can see great things there. How is your breeding stock filling out over the years, since you established a special breeding division? What would you consider to be your foundation NBS lines that others might look to for future reserves? Perhaps I could sneak a little extra reserve in somewhere? -laughs-
SM: On the contrary we have many reserves still to fill and we do favor more towards the dirt surfaces but we don't shy away from the turf division either. We have a few foundation lined horses to offer like Imitation Black sold to us in the honor of Witch Creek stables. He is a new stud or so his first foal is finishing off the juvenile season quite alright. Then we have Passionate Ruler another turf favorite although he was un-raced he is the sire of the well known Passion Heart and Rules of Passion. -laughs back in return- I am sure we can squeeze a reserve for you somewhere.
Isabelle: Give me a jingle anytime on that -wink-! Ms. Mack, is there a certain special horse around here that perhaps hasn't won major races or bred exceptional foals necessarily, but holds a special place for you or NBS?
SM: Yes, my personal favorite here would have to be Noadiance he was our very first horse born on at the time we were known as Bowen Acres before Nature Blues entirely so he would technically be the first to start out our racing community. To me Noah doesn't have to win the big horse of the year races he is a treasure and I think many people here adore Noah in some sense. I do hope that when he does retire that people do take interest in him because he has certainly won my heart over many times.
Isabelle: Such a sweet story. Please let us know which horse has made the greatest contribution to NBS and why.
SM: The greatest contribution? I would say True Enough, while we didn't race him he gave us some popularity with his legend title all thanks to Stride of Perfection stables. Through racing well honestly GS SuperCharged he was a work in progress at first and he did have his ups and downs Ben certainly pulled through and surprised near the end becoming a Grade One undercard challenger. We have a lot of contributors here not just one but many.
Isabelle: Which horse are you personally the most proud of, and why?
SM: There is just so much but if I have to choose so you say I would have to choose Reflected in Water. We purchased her early in her juvenile career with only one race to her name. She was quite the spunky filly and for her second race in her career she won the Orchid Cup Fillies and just progressed from there. It is through her where we took interest in the True Enough and Radiance lines. I say she is one of our star pupils.
Isabelle: What are the plans for the rest of this racing season, any special campaigns or horses being retired before the end of the year?
SM: Well just a few weeks until the Breeders Cup we have a few horses entered there as for those retiring well we do have a few A Royal Legacy will enter into the breeding barn come Y16, We are hopeful his offspring will be glorious in the future. Our humble Red Admiral will also end her racing season sometime in February we are proud of what she had done and has surprised us. Rules of Passion will be settling into the broodmare barn as well soon enough although I can assure you that mare is every ounce of her mother so taking her off the tracks will not be a pleasant one.
Isabelle: I think I'll take your word for it and hang out at another barn during that race weaning time for her -laugh-! As a longer standing stable around GHF/TW, do you have any suggestions or advice for those older than you, those who are your peers, and those up and coming stables who are just getting into the business?
SM: Any Suggestions? You are quite hilarious, all I can say is that be prepared for the future our future breedings. And for future stables coming into the business I think I would say take your time one day you will train a horse that will exceed to be a legend.
Isabelle: Which stable do you admire the most, and why? Do you have any particular business friends that have inspired you or lifelong friendships that have supported you?
SM: Well all the stables here inspire me they have been here a lot longer then we have although I did take an interest in Stride of Perfections they really helped us progress in way. I remember Ms. Amber Black helping us acquire GS SuperCharged. We are still shy in the meeting department but we are coming around great.
Isabelle: Don't be a stranger around NDM. Do you have any last comments you'd like to say about yourself, your staff, the horses, or NBS itself?
SM: Just that we are doing an extremely excellent job and to keep up the good work one of these years perhaps one of our horses will win a crown.
Isabelle: Well Ms. Mack, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with you and your amazing Thoroughbreds at NBS. I can tell what a commitment you have to the well being and careers of the horses you have here. I truly think that you have got some great racers just bursting to come out next season, when those racing gates open for the first time I bet you'll see some startling career boosts! We have some foals already planned out and I'm sure in the next foaling season or two your bloodlines will definitely be in among more stables around here.
