(Edited press release)
Prominent Thoroughbred breeder Jane Lyon and her daughter, Karen Bailey, have captured the story of their horse Skipingo in a new children’s book, “Skipingo Home: A Thoroughbred’s Second Chance.”
Karen Bailey will be signing copies of the book Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon-3 p.m. at the Keeneland Christmas shop.
Illustrated by Susie Gordon, Skipingo Home is the true story of Skipingo, a full brother to Horse of the Year Skip Away, who could not replicate his older sibling’s triumphs on the racetrack.
After Skipingo descended to the lowest levels of racing, his future looked bleak. But fate intervened, and Skipingo was reunited with his breeder and brought back home. Today, Skipingo is a successful hunter-jumper who has won championships of his own.
“It’s an amazing story, and a story we wish was more common,” said Bailey. “Skipingo is an incredible horse, and it was a thrill to find him again, bring him back home, and teach him how to jump. We hope this book will help get the message out that these horses deserve second chances at new careers after racing.”
Lyon and her husband, Frank, both of Little Rock, Ark., own and operate Summer Wind Farm, a commercial breeding operation near Georgetown, Ky.
Proceeds from the book will benefit Old Friends equine sanctuary.