Lifeline

Lifeline

Please note: Not for adoption until May 2022.

Name: Lifeline

Barn Name: Lyle

Birth Year: 2014

Gender: Gelding

Height: 16.2

Color: Roan

Location: Clements, CA

Starts/Win/Place/Show: 31/3/3/9

Career Highlights: Considering his pedigree Lyle was more of a blue collar racer. He raced in mainly claiming and allowance races.

Total Earnings: $112,950.

Last Race: 6/2/2021

Sire: Tapit

Dam: Life is Sweet (Storm Cat)

Other Pedigree Notables: Pulpit, A.P. Indy, Seattle Slew, Mr. Prospector, Unbridled, Storm Bird, Terlingua, Northern Dancer

Description: If Lyle had been a mare, he would have been retired years ago and bred to only the classiest stallions. Lyle is by Tapit and looks a lot like him. One of our principals noted that he is actually better looking than his Daddy. Tapit earned almost $600,000. at the track but his legend lies in his progeny, who have earned over 150 million, making Tapit
the 3rd most successful sire in the US.

On his dam’s side, Life is Sweet, Lyle has yet another huge success story. Life is Sweet earned over $1,800,000. before being retired as a broodmare. Life is Sweet earned quite a fan following, partly because she was always dueling with the great mare Zenyatta and usually came in second in those races. In looking at his pedigree you do see all the greatest names in racing.

Why tell you all of this? Because in racing, as a gelding, it doesn’t matter in the end about class, pedigree or your dam and sire earnings. If you can’t remain competitive or never were, you are essentially worthless. And until recently, thoroughbreds were not considered to be equal in any way to the warmblood in the show world. Things have turned around significantly due to marketing and huge successful shows such as the RRP (Retired Racehorse Project) and other venues. The thoroughbred has gained back a lot of respect and admiration, especially for their courage and heart.

Lyle will not be available until May 1, 2022 or longer. He arrived a bit beat up, his shoe job is a disaster making him sore on all 4 feet and it will take a while to stabilize his feet at this point. In addition, he has a bow the history of which was undisclosed to us and we will scan it as soon as possible to assess where we are right now. Lyle also needs to put on some weight.  Lyle is a beautiful and kind horse who is almost a glittery silver color with a lovely head.  He stands about 16.2 hands and is 7 years old.

Update Sept 2021:  Lyle has gained a lot of weight and looks like he could take anyone on in a knockout these days! He’s happy and he’s sound!!! We recently had him scanned and there is nothing wrong with him at all. It looks like we have a home for him come January but if not, this guy will be extremely easy to place!! He’s such a beautiful silvery grey with that flaxen mane and tail. I’m thinking he’s going to look stunning under tack.

Update December 2021:  Lyle is now in professional training in Petaluma, CA.  Board Director Caroline primarily rides him as a student.  She reports back he’s one of the laziest horses she’s ever ridden and wonders how they ever got him to race as she can barely get him to canter.  He just started his training so we’ll see what career he ultimately chooses.

Update January 2022:  Lyle is in training and we will wait to conclude his contracted training period before putting him up for adoption.

May 2022.  Lyle was adopted by Ian C. and is working on endurance trail riding in the Sierras and is being trained for Search & Rescue.  He was trained for trail riding by AJ Perry Horsemanship.