OMRH Obituary: Iza Valentine Dies at 33

[Gilder]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... ntine-dies

Iza Valentine, 1985 California Broodmare of the Year, was euthanized on Thursday, August 6, 2009. The 33-year-old mare, one of Our Mims Retirement Haven’s original “ladies,” had been in failing health for the past few weeks. OMRH is located at Ahwenasa Farm near Paris, Kentucky.

Said Farm Manager Jeanne Mirabito, "We love all our mares here at the Haven but Iza was special. She was our queen. Sure, she was 33 years old but up until a few weeks ago, you would have never known it. I am devastated."

A 1976 foal of Countess Market by Bicker, Iza Valentine earned only $65,000 from 25 starts.

Her greatest achievements were earned through her offspring. She was the dam of Fran’s Valentine (1982, Saros) who earned over $1.3 million in her racing career, prominent California sire Iz A Saros (1985, Saros), Carsonality (1988, Carson City), and the grand dam of With Anticipation (1995, by Relaunch out of Fran’s Valentine), a winner of over $2.6 million on the track.

She came to OMRH in November of 2004 with a group of mares from Gaines-Gentry. The group included Taba, My Turbulent Miss, Exactly So, Iza Valentine, and Jamra. Jamra was donated by George Waggoner.

OMRH became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2006. Featured in Barbara Livingston's "More Old Friends," the Haven specializes in "restoring health and spirit in aged mares."

The Haven is supported through donations, eBay auctions, and its online shop. OMRH is currently holding a building fund drive to complete renovations to its main barn and fencing.

The Haven is home to Timeless Sue, Hana Bride, Little Miss Porter, Princess Royale, Bel’s Starlet, Cruella, Blue Viking, Lotka, and Ms Royal Flagship. The Haven recently housed Gallipiat’s Moment for Old Friends while the gelding’s place was being prepared for him at Old Friends.

[ScrapingThePaint]

So sorry to read this. But Iza was very lucky to be able to spend her retirement with the wonderful "Ladies" at Our Mims.

This is a great organization, that I believe is also helping to support the retirement of Turkoman at EA Ranches in Santa Ysabel.

Taba, Turkoman's dam, was a resident of Our Mims before she passed away at age 32. And Turkoman's sire, Alydar, was a half brother to Our Mims. So there is a family connection there.

My heartfelt condolences to Jeanne and Cheryl and all the volunteers at Our Mims. http://www.ourmims.org/

[Beckron]

So sorry for this loss. What a tremendous gift it was for her to live her remaining years at Our Mims being pampered.