Former racehorse Belentime poised for a brilliant display

The horse, bred in Ontario and aged six, possesses a commendable dedication to its tasks and is actively seeking a fresh employment opportunity.

Belentime, the bay gelding, showcased his finest performance towards the end of his racing career. However, Lauren Millet believes that there is even more potential yet to be realised in Belentime.

Throughout his racing life, which encompassed a total of 18 races, he achieved three victories. These wins were particularly noteworthy as they occurred consecutively in the final three races of his career.

On January 26, 2023, Belentime secured his last triumph at Penn National before eventually finding his way to the LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society.

Among the staff at LongRun, the Ontario-bred horse with striking, vibrant eyes quickly became a beloved favourite. 

An eager learner who doesn’t lack confidence 

“He is quite a character,” said Millet, farm manager of LongRun, one of horse racing’s most respected and successful horse retirement and adoption organisations. “He is very sweet and kind, but he is not your typical super-cuddly, in-your-pocket type of Thoroughbred.”

“He likes attention, but on his terms. He wants you to do certain things, but he doesn’t want you to love on him, groom him and brush him up. He is kind of funny that way.”

Belentime, a six-year-old, is highly focused when it comes to embracing challenging situations. Millet greatly admires his enthusiasm for taking on new tasks and rates him highly. He displays a remarkable eagerness to learn, surpassing his peers in the classroom. Belentime appears to be constantly seeking intellectual stimulation and often expresses boredom with the current curriculum, longing to be in a higher grade. Even during leisure time in the paddock, he quickly becomes restless and eagerly awaits the next activity, as if constantly asking, "What's next for me to do?"

Consistent performer

Initially struggling on the racetrack with lackluster performances, the Ontario-bred horse gradually found his rhythm and turned into a reliable and competitive contender. In his initial four races, he achieved relatively low rankings, placing ninth, seventh, eighth, and tenth. However, he later hit his peak form and displayed remarkable consistency. During his last 14 races, he impressively secured top-five finishes in 12 of them and reached the top three nine times. Although his earnings amounted to a modest sum, just under $65,000, his dedication and strong work ethic were evident both during training sessions and actual races.

Millet is confident that Belentime's abilities and achievements at the beginning of the competition will be advantageous in a different environment.

According to Millet, Belentime would be a good fit for a lower-level Eventing home because they engage in training across three disciplines. This type of home would keep Belentime mentally and physically stimulated, as it is highly demanding and requires the horse to think critically.

The various obstacles and challenges Belentime would encounter, such as fences, ditches, and water, would necessitate him to use his cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills. Millet believes that Belentime is well-suited for a job that demands a high level of mental engagement and expects a lot from him.

Currently, the primary goal is to maintain Belentime's interest and involvement. Thus far, it has been a mutually beneficial situation for both the horse and his handlers. However, there have been a few minor obstacles to overcome. The main challenge has been encouraging him to relax and embrace his equine nature, as he constantly desires activity. Initially, there were uncertainties about how Belentime would react during his first ride. Would he display the typical behaviour of a Thoroughbred who lacks direction, or would his strong work ethic shine through? Belentime provided a resounding answer to that question. He displayed an exceptional commitment to his tasks and it was truly gratifying to witness. He approached every aspect with ease, including standing calmly at the mounting block, which many horses are unfamiliar with. As soon as Sam, the rider, mounted the saddle, Belentime exuded a sense of contentment, as if he had found his rightful place. He performed admirably, comfortably transitioning between walking and trotting without any problems. His disposition was cheerful, his ears were alert, and he displayed enthusiasm for being outside, engaged in work, and mentally figuring things out.

Millet envisions a promising future for Belentime, expressing that he is a horse that requires minimal preparation before transitioning to a new home. At his current stage, he is ready for someone to mount him and commence the training process, displaying great enthusiasm and cooperation. In terms of physical ability, Belentime moves gracefully and possesses no significant limitations for a lower-level Eventer.

Belentime eagerly embraces new opportunities, as indicated by the phrase "a new calling that Belentime would, pun intended, jump at." Millet anticipates that wherever Belentime goes next, the former racehorse will leave a strong initial impression. He has already made a lasting impression on those at LongRun.

Millet emphasises that Belentime is a horse who desires and requires a job. Even though some horses may need a job without necessarily desiring one, Belentime falls into the category of a horse who both needs and appreciates having a job. Furthermore, he is not averse to putting in extra effort, displaying a willingness to work overtime. This exemplifies why monotony will never be a part of Belentime's world.

In conclusion, Belentime possesses a strong work ethic and an eagerness to contribute. Millet believes that anyone who adopts him will be acquiring an exceptional horse.