Like many retired athletes, racehorses often go on to live very exciting lives. Retired racehorse Purest Form, or as owner Stephanie Neises, an accomplished equine rider and the Compliance Administrator for the Minnesota Racing Commission likes to call him, Avicii, is still a very active horse.
Purest Form was foaled in Kentucky in 2009 and went on to race at tracks across the United States. He started his career at Saratoga in 2011, before breaking his maiden three races later at Gulfstream Park. He was later claimed by Bob Lindgren and trained by Mac Robertson. In 2015 Lindgren and Robertson made the decision to retire Purest Form from racing. He completed his career, with 40 lifetime starts and $129,719 in earnings, at Canterbury Park.
The dark bay gelding went on to spend several months at Bowman Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption in Rhame, North Dakota, which is operated by Dr. Richard Bowman.
Purest Form, named Avicii after one of Neises’ favorite musicians and the concept of “new starts”, came into her life on a snowy Valentine’s Day in 2016.
“The decision had been made to retire my unraced thoroughbred Magnum from the show ring and I needed a new mount if I wanted to continue showing. Dr. Lynn Hovda had mentioned that she knew of the perfect horse for me. She said he was “tall, dark and handsome”. I trusted her completely and haven’t been disappointed. Avicii is smart, athletic, sensitive, and beyond eager to please. He has taken to dressage, freestyle groundwork, and loves going out for trail rides in the woods. At 17 hands, he’s a big guy, but don’t let his size scare you! He frequently gives “pony” rides to children and dazzles them with his puppy-dog attitude.”
Neises explains that Thoroughbreds are one of the most versatile horses who “can go from the show ring one weekend to trail riding the next day and they don’t bat an eye about it,” she said.
Owners like Neises, who give retired racehorses a chance, create a sense of trust that is important for all animals to have. “Once you win the trust and affection of a thoroughbred, they’ll give you the world,” said Neisis.
To find out more about Dr. Bowman’s rehabilitation and adoption services, please visit: http://www.bowmanthoroughbredadoption.com/
by Rebecca Roush
