Rachel Alexandra - a 2am post

It's 1.40am. Why am I still awake and up at my computer?  Well, I've already been to bed once, but I am up after waking at 12.50am after a series of nasty dreams.  I'm on my 2nd cup of tea, I've been awake for almost an hour, the nausea is I hope passing and my heart rate is almost back to normal. 

Late yesterday afternoon (Australian time) came the news that one of the best fillies to race in the United States in the past 5 years is (I think) fighting for her life following complications after foaling.  That mare's name is Rachel Alexandra.  She'd just foaled a Bernardini filly and has suffered bruising to her small colon during foaling, and her condition is listed as being 'very serious'.

I've not yet travelled to the States with my work (one day!), and so of course have nothing on file of her myself.  But I do have these images of her great sire Medaglia d'Oro, who stands at Darley's picturesque Kelvinside Stud, just outside the sleepy little village of Aberdeen, NSW.  It is the most beautiful property, with terrific staff, and a stallion roster that cannot help but impress.  I've spent some of the most enjoyable moments of my life at Darley.

Medaglia d'Oro at Darley.  Sire of Rachel Alexandra.
Medaglia d'Oro at Darley.  Sire of Rachel Alexandra.
Medaglia d'Oro at Darley.  Sire of Rachel Alexandra.
Medaglia d'Oro at Darley.  Sire of Rachel Alexandra.

Medaglia d'Oro at Darley.  Sire of Rachel Alexandra.
Medaglia d'Oro at Darley.  Sire of Rachel Alexandra.
Medaglia d'Oro at Darley.  Sire of Rachel Alexandra.
Medaglia d'Oro at Darley.  Sire of Rachel Alexandra.
Medaglia d'Oro at Darley.  Sire of Rachel Alexandra.

Medaglia d'Oro at Darley.  Sire of Rachel Alexandra.
Bernardini.  The sire of Rachel Alexandra's newborn foal.
Bernardini.  The sire of Rachel Alexandra's newborn foal.

Bernardini.  The sire of Rachel Alexandra's newborn foal.
Bernardini.  The sire of Rachel Alexandra's newborn foal.
Bernardini.  The sire of Rachel Alexandra's newborn foal.
Bernardini.  The sire of Rachel Alexandra's newborn foal.
Bernardini.  The sire of Rachel Alexandra's newborn foal.
The official photograph released of Rachel Alexandra and her newborn Bernardini filly.

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