By Jillian Hammell
Staff Writer
Racehorses are ready with their eyes on the prize. Their blinders prevent them from noticing distractions all around them. There is one thing on their mind: the finish line.
Today, 14 of the world’s best horses will compete in the Breeder’s Cup. With rewards at stake and thousands of people watching, the steeds are expected to be the fastest and strongest in the world.
One of those horses will represent St. Bonaventure University during the two-day race. Her name is Summer of Fun.
Dan Collins, ‘73 and manager of Bona Venture Stables, is thrilled to be a part of the championship.
In 2003, a group of former Bonaventure students purchased a thoroughbred racehorse. Two years later, Bona Venture Stables was founded.
According to Collins, 40 members have individual ownership of thoroughbred racehorses through Bona Venture Stables.
In 2011, the stable’s racehorse, Royal Bonnie, competed in the Breeder’s Cup. Sister Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president, even held a viewing party in the Reilly Center in honor of the event.
This year, Summer of Fun, one of Bona Venture Stables’ up and coming steeds, will travel to Arcadia, Calif., to compete in the Juvenile Fillies Turf World Championship. This event includes two-year-old female horses racing as part of the Breeder’s Cup.
“For a group as small as ours here at Bona Venture Stables, it is exciting,” Collins said.
The members of Bona Venture Stables are going hoof to hoof with prominent owners from around the nation. Juvenile Fillies Turf World Championship features racehorse owners like Houston Texans owner, Bob McNair, and the star of MTV’s Ridiculousness, Rob Dyrdek.
Some of the horses purchased by famous names can cost $500,000, Collins said.
“Summer of Fun was purchased for $95,000,” he said. “Some thoroughbred horses can go for $500,000.”
Collins said the small-town horse was stubborn in the beginning of training, but grew bigger and stronger.
Collins compared Summer of Fun to his other competitors like David versus Goliath. He believes the small-town horse has great potential and can compete against big-time representatives from all over the world.
“We think she is going to be a star,” Collins said. If she performs well at the Juvenile Fillies World Turf Championship, she can have the chance to compete at the Kentucky Oaks race in May 2013.”
The Breeder’s Cup is an acclaimed event for people with a passion for horseracing. It is often compared to what the World Series is to baseball or what the Super Bowl is to football.
Celebrities, including Chelsea Handler, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Amy Adams, often make appearances at the event.
“It is great publicity for the university,” Collins said. “The race is a way to get the St. Bonaventure name out there.”
Collins mentioned the university inspired several of the horses’ names. Summer of Fun was named after the campus community said Bonaventure was the most fun when school was out. Bona Venture Stables’ newest addition, Bonaventure Magic, was named in honor of Andrew Nicholson, now a player for the Orlando Magic.
With the support of the campus and alumni, it’s safe to say Summer of Fun is ready to take the world by storm and represent the Bonaventure community with pride.
