A group of Chrome fans, many from out of state, gathered on a chilly yet sunny late March day for one of Horse Country’s new tour offerings, the California Chrome Experience.  The tour presents the opportunity to view the immensely popular Taylor Made stallion, take a photo with him, meet some of the foals from his first crop, and have dinner at Daddy Joe’s.

The 7-year-old stallion gleamed a burnished coppery color in the sun, with dapples evident across his side and powerful hip.

After viewing “Chrome” outside, it was on to meet the other Taylor Made stallions—Mshawish, Not This Time, Northern Afleet, Midnight Storm, and Graydar.

3 of the stallions (Mshawish, Not This Time, and Midnight Storm) were ones I had not seen before other than while racing, on TV. Brooks Taylor, the stallion sales assistant, mentioned that Mshawish was one of his favorites, and while he is small, he is nicely balanced.

I also liked the look of Midnight Storm, a dark bay son of Pioneerof the Nile, seen in the brief video below.

 

Everyone on the tour then got a meet and greet with California Chrome and a chance to feed him horse cookies and get photos with him.

After that, it was on to the broodmare division to meet some of his foals, like this filly foaled in January.

Barn cats gathered as we drove away from the farm and back to Daddy Joe’s for a delicious meal that came with a souvenir California Chrome cup.

It will be interesting to see what this first crop of Chrome’s does. He looked spectacular as usual. There’s so much promise inherent in new beginnings, and it’s always intriguing to look at these new foals and think of what might be.