The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will launch an innovative new project called Foal Patrol, a collection of live web cameras where people can view streams of several in-foal mares during their pregnancy through the actual foaling. The live camera feeds will be available beginning Dec. 19 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST daily with extended hours as the expected foaling date approaches. The live cameras can be accessed for free by visiting www.foalpatrol.com.
“We are delighted to be the first to offer this one-of-a-kind program that will build new fans and strengthen insights for racing enthusiasts,” said Cathy Marino, the Museum's director. “We are so thankful for the creative mind and generous heart of our president, John Hendrickson, who brought the Museum this opportunity. In addition to creating the concept of Foal Patrol, Mr. Hendrickson and his wife, renowned philanthropist and Thoroughbred owner Marylou Whitney, are underwriting most of the project.”
Foal Patrol will debut with five mares: Sabbatical (Medaglia d'Oro) at Claiborne Farm in Paris, KY. (in foal to War Front and expected to foal Jan. 28); Stopchargingmaria (Tale of the Cat) at Three Chimneys Farm in Versailles, KY. (in foal to Pioneerof the Nile and expected to foal Feb. 2); Centre Court (Smart Strike) at Shawnee Farm in Harrodsburg, KY. (in foal to Medaglia d'Oro and expected to foal Feb. 19); La Verdad (Yes It's True) at Edition Farm in Hyde Park, N.Y. (in foal to Tapit and expected to foal Mar. 15); and Memento d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) at Old Tavern Farm in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (in foal to Bodemeister and expected to foal Mar. 31).
Three additional mares are scheduled to be added to the Foal Patrol roster in March 2018: Via Veneto (Orientate) at Double Diamond Farm in Ocala, FL. (in foal to Bodemeister and expected to foal Apr. 25); Bird Town (Cape Town) at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, KY. (in foal to Empire Maker and expected to foal Apr, 26); and Arravale (Arch) at Chanteclair Farm in Versailles, KY. (in foal to American Pharoah and expected to foal May 24).
“I am thrilled that Foal Patrol has become a reality. New fans, racing enthusiasts and young people will have their own virtual stable at their fingertips,” Hendrickson said. “They will get to know these magnificent athletes up close and personal and be an integral part of their lives through foaling and far beyond. One of my most-appreciated experiences is to be at Whitney Farm in Kentucky witnessing the foaling process. I truly believe, once you see a foal born, you will never be the same. I want everyone to feel ownership in this wonderful sport, with the magnificent beauty and tranquility of the farms as the backdrop. Foal Patrol will enable everyone to have unprecedented
insight into a Thoroughbred's life and allow the followers to learn while having fun.”
Each individual mare page will feature updates on the horse and extensive educational content, including information on breeding, nutrition, information about the stallion the mare was bred to and fun facts. There will also be a comprehensive background of each mare that includes its racing history, video and image galleries. Regular blogging, video content and audio interviews will keep fans of the horses updated on daily activities. Following the foaling, there will be updates on the development of the foal.
Fans following Foal Patrol can sign up for various contests, including opportunities to name some of the foals once they are born. There will be several prize packages announced throughout the duration of Foal Patrol that will feature unique racing experience packages. Whitney and Hendrickson have donated their box seats for the 2018 GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks as the grand prize. The box seats six and is located at the finish line at Churchill Downs.
People can also sign up for alerts when there is notable activity involving the mares such as new blog postings or when the mare is close to the foaling date. Countdown clocks for each mare's expected foaling date will be included throughout the site.
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