Susan Samascott found African Badge through a friend who originally considered him a potential candidate for a student within her training program. Unfortunately, the student was intimidated by African Badge’s substantial size and chose not to proceed with the adoption. Still impressed with the unraced handsome bay Thoroughbred as a riding prospect, the friend contacted Susan hoping that African Badge might be a good match for her instead.

Anna Stone wasn’t actively looking for a new horse, but upon seeing images of Stone Surprise on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program’s social media feed, she found herself unable to resist. The presence of “Stone” in his name and the coincidence of Anna sharing the same last name piqued her curiosity.