all in Horse Country

When Leslie and Anthony Arcuri lost their beloved horse Ghazi in October, the grief was intense. Ghazi had been part of their family for 30 years and had been through life’s highest highs and lowest lows with the couple.

Gucci, a 30-year-old Thoroughbred that the Arcuris adopted in 2004 from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) in Montpelier, Va., was grieving, too. Ghazi had been Gucci’s best friend for two decades. It quickly became clear that Gucci needed a new friend. Gucci was TRF’s first successful adoption from their Montpelier location.

“Galerio is a very special horse to me,” Ashley Nelson said. “I galloped and groomed him as a coming 2-year-old.” Nelson groomed and rode him until he was claimed during a race in November of 2019. She had had a special bond with the horse and one day hoped to retire him.

In my experience with young horses it seems like when they have a first show experience as good as the one Maverick and I had, it really helps some light bulbs go on for them. Maverick has definitely followed suit in the weeks since my last update here.

I can’t believe it’s June already – it feels like just yesterday I was updating everyone on the April progress of the dynamic duo. But alas, there are 18 weeks and 2 days until Oct. 8 – the official start of the Thoroughbred Makeover - but who’s counting?

I cannot believe I am already sitting down to write our May update for you all! What a busy month it has been. Salesman has been traveling all over and seeing different environments, learning more and more about his new job and all the fun and difficult things about horse show life!

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube