(National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame press release)
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will launch an innovative new project called Foal Patrol, a one-of-a-kind collection of live web cameras where people can view real-time 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. The website is optimized for viewing across all media platforms, including tablets and smart phones.
“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.”
“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.”
Foal Patrol will debut with five mares: Sabbatical at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky. (in foal to War Front with an expected foaling date of Jan. 28, 2018); Stopchargingmaria at Three Chimneys Farm in Versailles, Ky. (in foal to Pioneerof the Nile with an expected foaling date of Feb. 2, 2018); Centre Court at Shawnee Farm in Harrodsburg, Ky. (in foal to Medaglia d’Oro with an expected foaling date of Feb. 19, 2018); La Verdad at Edition Farm in Hyde Park, N.Y. (in foal to Tapit with an expected foaling date of March 15, 2018); and Memento d’Oro at Old Tavern Farm in Saratoga Springs (in foal to Bodemeister with an expected foaling date of March 31, 2018).
Three additional mares are scheduled to be added to the Foal Patrol roster in March 2018: Via Veneto at Double Diamond Farm in Ocala, Fla. (in foal to Bodemeister with an expected foaling date of April 25, 2018); Bird Town at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Ky. (in foal to Empire Maker with an expected foaling date of April 26, 2018); and Arravale at Chanteclair Farm in Versailles, Ky. (in foal to American Pharoah with an expected foaling date of May 24, 2018).
Foal Patrol will provide viewers with unprecedented access to what daily life for a mare in foal is like. 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 Kentucky Derby and 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.
“The development of Foal Patrol has been a collaborative effort within the racing industry. Everybody in the game is invested in it and wants to see it succeed and grow,” Hendrickson said. “The Museum has been fortunate to work with the talented teams at The Jockey Club, Keeneland Broadcast Services and Fingerpaint Marketing in this effort to bring Foal Patrol from concept to reality. We’d also like to thank all the owners and farms that are supporting this project and granting us such unprecedented access to these special horses. We are most grateful to everyone for their enthusiastic support of this initiative.”
Special thanks:
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame would like to thank Harold Palmer and his team at The Jockey Club Technology Services; G.D. Hieronymus and Keeneland Broadcast Services; New World Resources; Carr-Hughes Productions; Fingerpaint Marketing; Empire Exhibits and Displays; Phipps Stable; Claiborne Farm; Three Chimneys Farm; G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. and Shawnee Farm; Lady Sheila Stable; Vivien Malloy and Edition Farm; Walt Borisenok and Old Tavern Farm; Donald R. Dizney and Double Diamond Farm; Marylou Whitney and Gainesway Farm; Charles E. Noell and Chanteclair Farm; I Love New York; Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce; Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau; Maureen Lewi; Visit Lex, Horse Country, Stewart’s Shops, Ocala Visitors and Convention Bureau; and Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms.
