La Ville Rouge, Dam of Barbaro, Pensioned
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
La Ville Rouge
By Amanda Duckworth
La Ville Rouge, the dam of ill-fated Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Barbaro, was pensioned after producing a Bernardini filly last year.
Although based in Kentucky during her time as a broodmare, the 20-year-old Carson City mare is now enjoying her retirement at Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Farm in Pennsylvania.
"She's with us now, and she is pensioned," said Gretchen Jackson. "She had trouble with the last two foals she had, which were both fillies, and we chose not to breed her again. She is doing great."
La Ville Rouge was not bred for 2014, but produced healthy fillies by Bernardini in both 2013 and 2015. The now 3-year-old filly was named Mo'ne Davis after the Pennsylvanian who became the first girl to earn a win and pitch a shutout game in Little League World Series history. The filly is unraced but nearing her debut.
"She had a few juvenile issues, so she was rested and given time," said Jackson. "She's in training, and she will run hopefully by June. She's neat, and I really like her."
La Ville Rouge visited Dynaformer, who died in 2012, for much of her broodmare career and infamously produced four full brothers to Barbaro but never a full sister. Nicanor and Lentenor are standing at stud, while Margano and Pennmarydel are living quieter lives. Margano is retired at Lael Farm, and he is turned out with millionaire and multiple grade I winner Showing Up.
Pennmarydel was given to Allie Conrad, the executive director of CANTER Mid Atlantic.
"Allie is a great, great person," said Jackson. "It was a teary au revoir to say the least, though. Pennmarydel was bigger physically than Barbaro. He was too huge to deal with, but he was a really neat horse and fun. I hope she's enjoying him."
As for La Ville Rouge, whose racing career included two grade III placings and two finishes in grade II stakes, she is in good health and shares a paddock with the likes of multiple graded stakes winners You'd Be Surprised and Belle Cherie, who are also pensioned.
"She is with sheep, one cow and four other mares," said Jackson. "They are all ancient retirees. It's great having them to look at when I look out my window."
Watch a few video features of La Ville Rouge from 2009: