When the time comes for foaling, Bunning says staff are on hand to help the mare and in case of emergency. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

Regardless of whether they’ll one day achieve Triple Crown glory or never make a start on the track, foals bred to be racehorses follow a similar path at the start of their lives. Most are born at Thoroughbred nurseries that follow time-tested practices for raising strong and fast foals. Operations large and small run like well-oiled machines to produce future racehorses.

Owner Wayne Sweezey and farm manager Shelley Bunning of Timber Town Stables, in Lexington, Kentucky, oversee the care of 80 foals at their boutique 400-acre operation. Farm manager Bradley Purcell of Claiborne Farm, in Paris, Kentucky, supervises the care of 150 foals on the historic 3,000-acre property. Both farms take meticulous care of their mares and foals from initial foaling to weaning and beyond.

Foaling Protocol

Farms must be properly staffed to handle foaling dozens of broodmares. The night watchmen are crucial for keeping eyes on mares in the foaling barns as their due dates near. Sweezey says Timber Town’s foaling barn is staffed 24/7 from January to early June, because mares typically foal at night