It's All About Luck: Blind Luck's First Foal

Her race record wasn't perfect. Her conformation wasn't perfect. Her action wasn't 
perfect. But the combination of charismatic qualities Blind Luck possessed was perfect.

She ran with unbelievable, grit, determination, and heart. She performed with the most thrilling racing style there is: closing in the final strides, a guaranteed way to cause near-heart attacks for devoted fans. And of course, she had a rags to riches story that made her remarkable career all the more captivating.

Blind Luck began her racing career with a romp in a maiden claiming at Calder, which caught the eye of many prospective buyers. She landed in the stable of Jerry Hollendorfer in California and quickly, Blind Luck began to prove that she was something special. The chestnut’s career spanned twenty-two races, highlighted by six grade one victories – including an electrifying triumph in the 2010 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) – and her sensational rivalry with 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace.

Among the most distinguished wins in the collection of exciting victories Blind Luck amassed was her stirring, hard-fought victory over Havre de Grace in the 2011 Delaware Handicap (gr. II). But the win left Blind Luck so exhausted that the courageous filly did not race again for nearly three months, when she went to post in the Lady’s Secret Stakes (gr. I) in her final prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I). But this wasn’t the same Blind Luck. For the first time in her career, Blind Luck finished off-the-board, crossing the wire far behind her opponents.

Blind Luck was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency to the 2011 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, at which she was purchased for $2.5 million by Mark Dedomenico, who had been the majority owner of the daughter of Pollard’s Vision throughout her racing career. Months later, Blind Luck was bred to Bernardini, the first stallion of choice for 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta and the second stallion of choice for 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Since entering stud in 2007, Bernardini has sired five grade/group one winners, proving himself as a top sire, one deserving of receiving several top mares.

On the night of January 18, 2013, Blind Luck delivered her first foal at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Lexington, Kentucky. A bay filly that resembles her sire, the racing world joyously welcomed Blind Luck’s first daughter.

What the filly’s future holds is uncertain, but if the young Thoroughbred possesses the slightest amount of heart her dam has, we could be looking at one of the toughest equine athletes of the future. But before her racing days arrive, the filly will spend months romping in bluegrass pastures alongside her dam that delighted the racing world with thrilling run after thrilling run. She is certainly lucky to have Blind Luck as her mother.