After the Sale - Where Are They Now? Elusive Surprise Update
As part of our ongoing commitment to tracking mare outcomes after they leave the sales ring, we're excited to share an update on one of the mares we've been following since last year's Keeneland November sale.
Hip 3319: Elusive Surprise — an 18-year-old mare by Elusive Quality — sold for $3,000 in Session 9 of the 2024 sale to Horse Husband Stables.
Her pedigree told a compelling story: Weekend Surprise as her second dam (the dam of A.P. Indy and Summer Squall) and a blacktype producer with offspring earning over $1 million combined. She was exactly the kind of mare that would be tempting to breed "one more time" hoping for a filly to continue the female line.
But Horse Husband Stables made a different choice. At the time of purchase, they made a public commitment: Elusive Surprise would deliver the foal she was carrying (by Tale of Silence), would not be bred again, and would then retire to Mareworthy Charities.
The decision wasn't made because she lacked quality — it was made because of her specific medical needs.
One year later, we're thrilled to report on how that promise is unfolding.
Meet A Dozen and Won (Barn Name: Thirteen)
Elusive Surprise's 2025 colt arrived after careful monitoring and aggressive treatment of her placental thickening. Named A Dozen and Won — affectionately called Thirteen around the barn because he's Surprise's thirteenth foal — the eight-month-old colt is thriving despite early challenges.
Thirteen has been hospitalized twice since birth, requiring emergency veterinary care that Horse Husband Stables has fully covered. These medical expenses are significant - exceeding $30,000, but they're part of the promise made when Surprise was purchased.
When Thirteen weans in the coming weeks, Elusive Surprise will officially begin her retirement, joining Mareworthy Charities' retirement herd. Currently, she's been living with Horse Husband Stables' small herd of mares and foals. As promised, she was not bred again — despite the temptation to try for one more filly from this Weekend Surprise line.
Thirteen will remain with Horse Husband Stables as a potential racehorse and has lifetime protection through their Foal to Forever program, regardless of his performance on the track.
Every mare deserves this level of commitment. Support Mareworthy's mission to help more mares like Elusive Surprise find secure retirement.
Why We Track These Stories
This is exactly the kind of outcome Mareworthy exists to celebrate and promote.
Elusive Surprise wasn't just any $3,000 mare. She's a blacktype producer whose offspring have earned over $1 million combined. She has Weekend Surprise (dam of A.P. Indy and Summer Squall) as her second dam. Her son Surprsinglyperfect earned over $416,000 and set a track record in 2021. On paper, she's exactly the kind of mare you'd want to breed one more time, hoping for a filly to continue that exceptional female line.
Horse Husband Stables saw that potential. They understood her value. And they chose her welfare over that temptation.
Their approach demonstrates everything we advocate for:
Individual assessment over age bias — the decision was based on her specific medical needs, not a blanket "she's too old" policy
Pre-sale retirement planning — the decision and destination were determined before the hammer fell
Partnership with aftercare — Horse Husband Stables and Mareworthy working together to ensure her future
Medical transparency — previous caretakers shared her red bag history AND current medications, enabling proactive treatment
Lifetime care commitment — for both mare and foal, through hospitalizations and ongoing treatment
Follow-through despite costs — keeping the promise even when veterinary bills mount
This is the responsible ownership we work to highlight and encourage.
It's not about vilifying anyone who breeds older mares — many older mares thrive in breeding programs. It's about making individual decisions based on each horse's health, history, and welfare. Elusive Surprise's deteriorated stifle and vascular risks made retirement the right choice for HER, not because of her age or lack of credentials, but because her body was telling everyone it was time to stop.
Help us support more mares transitioning to retirement: Make a donation to Mareworthy or become a monthly Pasture Pal.
The Medical Reality (And Why This Mare Needed Retirement)
Mareworthy is not opposed to breeding older mares. Many older mares continue to safely produce quality foals well into their late teens and early twenties. The decision should always be based on individual health with veterinary guidance, not age alone.
Elusive Surprise's situation was specific:
Orthopedic challenges:
Completely deteriorated right stifle joint that cannot benefit from continued weight-bearing during pregnancy
Requires ongoing joint management including Arthramid injection (administered while pregnant)
Steroidal injection post-foaling for pain management
Daily Equioxx to maintain comfort and mobility
Reproductive risks:
Her 2023 foal (the year before she sold) was a red bag delivery — a potentially life-threatening complication
She did not get in foal for 2024.
At approximately 290 days pregnant with Thirteen, HHS veterinarians discovered placental thickening
Aggressive treatment was required to prevent another red bag situation
Thankfully, the 2025 delivery was normal
However, her risk for arterial rupture increases with each pregnancy
The Critical Role of Medical Transparency
Horse Husband Stables was kindly advised by Surprise's previous caretakers about her red bag history. This single piece of information likely saved both mare and foal.
Because HHS knew to watch for placental issues, they were able to:
Monitor her pregnancy more closely
Detect the placental thickening at 290 days
Intervene with aggressive treatment
Achieve a normal delivery instead of another red bag emergency
Additionally, Elusive Surprise's previous owners had already started her on daily Equioxx and included this information on her sales papers. This allowed HHS to continue her pain management protocol seamlessly, without the mare suffering through trial and error to find what worked.
But this level of transparency is rare.
Too often, mares transfer ownership — whether through public sales or private transactions — without complete medical records. Sellers may not realize how critical this information is, or may worry that transparency will hurt the mare's value or saleability. The result? The mare suffers as her new owners start from scratch, not knowing:
What medications she's on
What chronic conditions she manages
What reproductive complications she's experienced
What treatments have or haven't worked
Whether a mare sells publicly or transfers privately, we should all be committed to:
Sharing complete medical history with new owners
Documenting medications and ongoing treatments clearly
Disclosing reproductive complications (red bags, placentitis, etc.)
Remaining available for follow-up questions
Prioritizing the mare's welfare over concerns about value
Elusive Surprise's story shows what's possible when everyone does their part. Her previous caretakers' honesty enabled proactive care that saved lives.
The combination of deteriorating stifle joint and increased vascular risk made continuing to breed this particular mare dangerous for her welfare — not her age, but her specific medical circumstances.
Had she been sound and without these complications? The temptation to breed her one more time would have been strong, given Weekend Surprise in her pedigree and her proven ability to produce winners. But responsible ownership means making decisions based on the individual horse's needs, not what we wish were possible.
Support mares like Elusive Surprise: Become a Pasture Pal and help us provide medical care for retired mares.
What's Next for Elusive Surprise
In the coming weeks, Thirteen will wean and Elusive Surprise will transition from Horse Husband Stables to join Mareworthy Charities' retirement herd, where she'll live out her days in pasture with ongoing management of her stifle joint.
Her daily care will include continued joint support, appropriate exercise, and medical monitoring — all made possible by ongoing support from Horse Husband Stables and supporters who believe every mare deserves security in retirement, regardless of what she produced or what she cost.
Mareworthy will continue sharing her story as an example of what responsible mare retirement looks like in practice: individual health assessment, partnership between buyers and aftercare, transparency about medical needs, and commitment despite costs.
Your support makes stories like this possible.
Become a Pasture Pal: Monthly recurring donations provide predictable funding for mare care. Join at www.mareworthy.com/pasturepals
Make a one-time donation: Every contribution helps cover veterinary care, feed, and facility costs. Donate at www.mareworthy.com/donate
Her journey from a $3,000 late-session sale to secure retirement at Mareworthy Charities demonstrates that:
Individual assessment matters more than age — health status, not birth year, should guide breeding decisions
Quality mares can need retirement too — blacktype producers and exceptional pedigrees don't guarantee soundness
Retirement planning works when committed to in advance
Partnerships between buyers and aftercare organizations create sustainable solutions
Medical transparency saves lives — sharing red bag history and current medications enabled proactive care
Good outcomes are possible even for valuable mares with health challenges in late sessions
The veterinary costs for Elusive Surprise's stifle management, Thirteen's hospitalizations, and ongoing care are significant. These expenses are exactly why mare retirement requires funding and planning, not just good intentions.
The Medical Transparency Imperative
Elusive Surprise's story highlights a critical issue: too many mares transfer ownership without complete medical records.
This happens at public sales AND in private transactions. Sellers may not realize how vital this information is, or may worry that transparency will hurt saleability. But the mare always pays the price when information doesn't follow her.
What medical transparency looks like:
Previous owners shared Elusive Surprise's red bag history → HHS monitored for placental issues → detected thickening at 290 days → aggressive treatment → normal delivery
Previous owners included Equioxx on sales papers → HHS continued pain management seamlessly → mare didn't suffer
What happens without transparency:
New owners don't know what to watch for
Mares suffer through trial-and-error treatment
Preventable complications become emergencies
Medical history gets lost with each transfer
Whether transferring a mare publicly or privately, sellers should provide:
Complete medical history
Current medications and dosages
Reproductive complications (red bags, placentitis, dystocia)
Chronic conditions and management protocols
Contact information for follow-up questions
No mare should suffer because information stayed with the previous owner. Elusive Surprise's previous caretakers got this right, and it saved lives.
Celebrating Responsible Partnerships (And What You Can Do)
Elusive Surprise represents one of thousands of mares who pass through sales annually. Many will be like her — accomplished producers who've done their jobs and eventually need retirement, whether due to age, medical issues, or simply reaching the end of productive breeding years.
Those are the mares who need plans the most. And partnerships between operations like Horse Husband Stables and organizations like Mareworthy Charities are showing the industry what keeping those promises actually looks like.
When a buyer can purchase a mare knowing she has a retirement destination already secured, it removes uncertainty and makes responsible decisions easier.
When previous caretakers share medical history openly, it enables better care.
]When aftercare organizations have stable funding, they can accept more mares.
This is the model we're working to normalize across the industry.
Here's how you can help:
For Industry Participants:
If you're selling an older mare: Share her COMPLETE medical history with buyers — medications, reproductive complications, chronic conditions, and veterinary contacts. This isn't optional; it's the mare's welfare.
If you're buying an older mare: Partner with aftercare organizations for retirement placement BEFORE you bid. Know where she'll go when breeding is done.
If you're a consignor: Include medical information on sales papers. Elusive Surprise's Equioxx notation helped her transition seamlessly.
If you sold a mare and know something the new owner should know: Reach out. It's never too late to share information that could save her life.
Connect with Mareworthy BEFORE the sale if you're considering retirement for your mares
For Racing Fans and Horse Lovers:
Monthly giving provides the most impact: Become a Pasture Pal starting at just $10/month
One-time donations matter: Every contribution helps. Donate any amount
Spread the word: Share Elusive Surprise's story and tag @mareworthy
Follow along: Watch for updates on Surprise's retirement transition
The difference between a mare finding safety and a mare slipping through the cracks often comes down to whether organizations like Mareworthy have the resources to say yes when operators like Horse Husband Stables reach out.
Your $10, $25, $100, or $500 donation helps us be ready when the next Elusive Surprise needs us.
Through our "We're Watching" program, Mareworthy tracks mares after they leave the sales ring — not to shame anyone, but to celebrate responsible outcomes and identify patterns that help everyone make better decisions.
Elusive Surprise is exactly the kind of story we're here to document and promote.
About This Series
Mareworthy's "Where Are They Now?" series follows up on mares we've tracked through our transparency initiatives. We celebrate positive outcomes, document responsible ownership, and show that retirement planning is achievable across all price points and circumstances.
The reality: Most mares won't sell for six figures. Most won't have Grade 1 offspring. But every mare deserves a plan, and every plan requires resources.
If you've purchased an older mare and have a retirement plan in place, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us at info@mareworthy.com to share your mare's story.
If you want to help make more stories like Elusive Surprise's possible, we need your support:
About Elusive Surprise:
18 years old at purchase (2024)
By Elusive Quality
Second dam: Weekend Surprise (dam of A.P. Indy and Summer Squall)
Blacktype producer: Momma G (2nd in Iowa Stallion Futurity)
Produced 13 foals over her breeding career
Total progeny earnings: $1,090,445
Notable offspring: Surprsinglyperfect ($416,551 earnings, track record holder)
Purchased for $3,000 at 2024 Keeneland November, Session 9, Hip 3319
Purchased by: Horse Husband Stables
Medical challenges: Deteriorated right stifle, history of red bag delivery, placental thickening requiring treatment
Previous owners provided medical history and current medications on sales papers
Foaled 2025 colt (A Dozen and Won) and was not bred again as promised
Status: Retiring to Mareworthy Charities after weaning 2025 foal
About A Dozen and Won (Thirteen):
2025 colt by Tale of Silence
Elusive Surprise's 13th and final foal
Required two hospitalizations as a foal
Lifetime protection through Horse Husband Stables' Foal to Forever program
Will pursue racing career with Horse Husband Stables
Tracking outcomes, celebrating responsibility, promoting transparency.
Every mare. Every story. Every donation matters.
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Take Action Today
Monthly Support (Most Impactful): 🐴 Become a Pasture Pal: www.mareworthy.com/pasturepals
Your monthly gift provides daily care, vet visits, and love for the mares of Mareworthy — now and in the future.
One-Time Donation: 💚 Make a gift: www.mareworthy.com/donate
Stay Connected:
Email: info@mareworthy.com
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We're Watching Program: www.mareworthy.com/were-watching
