Seine Minstrel

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Chestnut Thoroughbred Stallion
(1986 - 2007)

The Minstrel - Versailles by Majestic Prince
 

 

 

Wonderful Disposition
Son of The Minstrel (Northern Dancer)
Lots of Speed/Athletic Ability
 

 
Sired by Champion, The Minstrel he comes from the same sire line as the Great CIGAR, worlds leading money winner and Horse of the Decade with winnings of $10 million. Seine's foals are doing quite well eventing. His own Missouri Minstrel was 1999 USCTA Training Level Champion for Area IV and is now competing on the West Coast. Canabrett Minstrel competed in the American Eventing Championships in 2004, and several others are competing at various levels. All are willing, athletic partners that like to compete and have a great work ethic.  Seinesational Miss, Missouri Minstrel, Rafseine Minstrel, Supreme Seine,  Seinederella, Canabrett Minstrel are just a few of the successful eventers sired by Seine.

Seine has added so much to our breeding program and though he is gone and sincerely missed he has left us with many exceptional offspring for future generations of great horses.  I'm sure that his name will be heard for many generations to come.
 

 
Pedigree:
  The Minstrel Northern Dancer Nearctic
     
  Fleur Victoria Park
Seine Minstrel
    Majestic Prince Raise A Native
  Versailles    
    Peace Movement Admiral's Voyage

To see some of Seine Minstrel's foals click here:

   To See Seine Minstrel's complete pedigree click here: Pedigree
Seine enjoying his Pepsi

December 17 2007

It is with great sadness that I write this farewell to my horse of a lifetime, Seine Minstrel

He was foaled in March of 1986 at Live Oak Stud in Florida, and the son of the great Champion, The Minstrel out of Versailles by Majestic Prince.  He raced at the major tracks of Aqueduct and Belmont as a two year old running against the likes of Easy Goer.  After an ankle injury at two he went on at three to still win and get checks at smaller tracks until the end of his three year old year when I was lucky enough to acquire him from Bob Akins, a Missouri owner/breeder who wanted him to stand at stud in the state of Missouri where he retained breeding rights to him. Thank you Bob. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have owned a horse like Seine Minstrel.  

He bred many successful sport horse foals and they are winning all over the east coast, west coast and places in between.  All of his offspring have great work ethics, are fantastic jumpers and brave enough to jump anything they are pointed at.  They are also very beautiful movers and excel in dressage competition.  His daughters are now producing excellent sport horse foals also.  He has been crossed on Paints, Quarter Horses, Warmbloods and Drafts where he will leave his mark in those breeds as well.

Last January First, Seine was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma and we started treatment with a chemotherapy drug but it continued to spread.  We took him to the University in April and had surgery done removing all of the cancerous tissue and he seemed to recover well until two months ago when he started losing weight for no apparent reason.  As he continued losing weight and his strength his attitude remained good and not once did he ever 'complain' or seem to be in pain.  We continued caring for him and keeping him as happy and comfortable as we could until this past Sunday, December 16th, when he became very weak and went for his last walk in the snow.  After picking grass from under the snow for an hour he went over to King, our Paint stallion and told him that he was still top horse, when in fact, he was barely able to walk.  At 3:00 AM he lay down on his bed of straw and peacefully slipped away.  I haven't been able to write until now but wanted to let my friends and family know what a great loss he is to my breeding program and to the Thoroughbred breed in general.  I like to think he was happy living here all of these years and he died just as he lived,  'with great dignity'.  

He is/was as far as I know one of the very last sons of The Minstrel, a bloodline that is one of the legends, the very best... bringing Cigar, Opening Verse, Tinner's Way and many other great ones.

He will be buried tomorrow on the hill over-looking the broodmare pasture where many of his daughters and their foals graze.  He was one of the 'special ones' and will always be remembered as one of the kindest, gentlest horses with a great heart and wonderful spirit.

 

Lois

Oakwood Farm

 

Memorial to Seine Minstrel

December 17 2007

1986-2007 

I'll lend you for a little while,
My grandest foal, He said.
For you to love while he's alive,
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be one or twenty years,
Or days or months, you see.
But will you, til I take him back,

Take care of him for me?

 He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have those treasured memories,
As Solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,

Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught on earth
I want this foal to learn.

 I've looked the wide world over

In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
With trust, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love?
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come
To take him back again?

 I know you'll give him tenderness
And love will bloom each day.
And for the happiness you've known,
You will forever-grateful stay.
But should I come and call for him

Much sooner than you'd planned.
You'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And maybe understand.

 Author Unknown

 

 
 

05/15/10