He’s walked everywhere since he arrived.
Stall rest. Ice storm. OCD diagnosis.
Today, CK entered a paddock for the first time… and suddenly there was speed.

Van met his new students in the round pen this week. Thirteen stepped in first, then CK — who clacked repeatedly in clear, age-appropriate submission. Calm introductions. Good decisions. Exactly what we hoped to see.

Veterinary update on Country Karma after subtle signs of discomfort. Learn what left stifle effusion means, what radiographs showed, and how we’re managing next steps conservatively.

From no bid at Keeneland to an officially approved Jockey Club name, this Foal to Forever Class of 2025 colt’s story continues—shaped by community, patience, and the long view.

Class of 2025 had a big milestone today.

This video captures Thirteen and CK’s first turnout together—from the walk out of the barn to their first moments in the round pen where they could finally interact. No rushing, no pressure—just space to look, move, and figure each other out on their own terms.

A quiet but important milestone happened tonight.

Our newest colt met Thirteen nose-to-nose for the very first time and will spend the night stalled beside him, beginning the careful process of introductions. These early moments matter more than they look—and members can watch how it unfolds inside today’s update.

Farrier day at the farm is always a good test of manners—and the Class of 2025 passed with flying colors. All four yearlings stood quietly and handled their trims like pros, but it was a particularly big milestone for our newest colt. It was his first time meeting our farrier, and he stood perfectly still for all four feet, earning high praise for both his behavior and his conformation. Sometimes the most important progress happens on calm, uneventful days like this one.

A first vet visit for our new little colt as he settles in after the sale including his first official height measurement. A mild fever last night and a bit of nasal discharge today are being closely monitored, but his appetite is strong, his demeanor is exceptional, and this first exam brought far more reassurance than concern. Next up: bloodwork results and what they tell us about his baseline health.

Foal to Forever is launching a new monthly live update series designed exclusively for sponsors. These live virtual sessions offer behind-the-scenes insights, real-time updates from the farm, and direct conversation around the horses and programs sponsors support.

The first Foal to Forever Live Virtual Sponsor Update will take place on Wednesday, January 21, and will kick off an ongoing series held on the fourth Wednesday of every month.

A monthly live update for Foal to Forever sponsors, offering behind-the-scenes insights and real-time updates from the farm.

• Who: Foal to Forever Sponsors – All Classes

• When: Wednesday, January 21

• Time: 7:00–7:45 PM Eastern

• Time zone: America/Kentucky/Louisville

• Where: Google Meet

Each live session includes updates across the Foal to Forever program, including current horses, upcoming milestones, and future foal classes. Time is reserved for live Q&A, and a replay will be posted within 24 hours for sponsors unable to attend live.

Topics for the January Live Update

• Announcement of the naming contest winner for our newest Foal to Forever Class of 2025 colt, and an update on how he’s settling into life at the farm

• Details on the Class of 2024 (Paycasso and Caesar) beginning race training the week of January 26 and what sponsors can expect

• Pregnancy updates for the Class of 2026

The session will last approximately 45 minutes.

Sponsors who are logged into their Foal to Forever account will find details to join the event below. Having trouble? Email us at info@horsehusbandstables.com

Not a sponsor yet? Learn more and join today at https://www.foaltoforever.com/home#sponsor

The submission period for naming our newest Foal to Forever Class of 2025 colt officially closed at 5:00 PM Eastern on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Thank you to everyone who submitted name ideas and helped shape this next chapter of his story.

What happens next:

• The full list of eligible names will be distributed to Foal to Forever members on Sunday, January 18, 2026
• Class of 2025 members will be able to begin voting on finalist names starting Sunday, January 18
• Member voting will remain open through Tuesday, January 20, 2026
• An email will be sent to members when voting officially opens
• The winning name will be announced publicly once it has been approved by The Jockey Club

If you are a Class of 2025 Foal to Forever member and are logged into your account, you can vote at https://www.foaltoforever.com/events/help-name-our-newest-foal-to-forever-class-of-2025-colt

Not a sponsor yet? Learn more about Foal to Forever and how to join at
https://www.foaltoforever.com

He went through the Keeneland January sale without a single hand raised.

Out of more than 1,100 cataloged horses, only seven received no bids.

He was one of them.

By the end of the day, he was on his way to Horse Husband Stables.

We were not in the ring when he passed through. We saw the results later. No bid. Offered without reserve.

If even one hand had gone up at the $1,000 minimum, this story would look very different.

Instead, we walked back to the barns.

He was small for his age. Quiet. Curious. Uncomplicated.

After a short walk to the Keeneland office, he was ours.

That decision was not impulsive. It was aligned.

Thirteen will soon need a colt companion. We were already at the sale. The long-term plan for the Class of 2025 was forming. This colt fit that plan.

When he unloaded at the farm, there was no drama. No spook. Just adaptability.

Hours earlier, he was Hip 577.

Now he had a lifelong plan.

And that’s where the public story ends.

Inside the Class of 2025 member area, we share:

• Full sale repository findings

• Veterinary scope and radiograph interpretation

• Development planning and imaging strategy

• Ongoing training and transition decisions

If you want to follow every step — not just the highlights — Class of 2025 membership is open.

One payment. Lifetime access.

Yesterday, the 2025 National Claiming Horse of the Year was announced and the Class of 2025 has a direct connection. Surprsinglyperfect and A Dozen and Won (Thirteen) are half brothers out of the same dam, Elusive Surprise. This update explores that connection, Surprsinglyperfect’s remarkable career, and how intentional retirement planning brought Thirteen’s dam safely to Mareworthy Charities after weaning.

Weaning is not a single moment—it’s a carefully managed transition. This update follows the weanlings through several key stages of that process, with three videos that show how each step was handled and why those choices matter.

In this update: Video 1: Thirteen’s First Walk — From the Big Barn to the Small Barn, Video 2: Meeting the Babysitter — Freja in the Barn Aisle