GOODBYE TO ONE OF OUR GREAT LADIES

Harems Choice photographed on August 25, 2007 at Vessels Stallion Farm.
Photo by Robbi Knudson Photography

Leading Producer Harems Choice Laid To Rest at Vessels

BONSALL, CA—SEPTEMBER 7, 2007—Multiple Champion producer Harems Choice was laid to rest yesterday (Thursday), alongside her long-time paddock partner Fishers Favorite at Vessels Stallion Farm.
The 23-year-old mare was owned by Robert and Helen Wood of Seagraves, Texas.

With a 12-day-old colt from the first crop by First Down Dash at her side, the Woods purchased Harems Choice for $20,000 from Vessels Stallion Farm at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale in Oklahoma City on January 28, 1989.

That colt went on to be named Royal Quick Dash and in 1991 became the first All American Futurity millionaire, and the first Champion sired by now all-time leading sire First Down Dash.

"We are honored to have had Harems Choice here for all these years and to have participated in our foal sharing program with the Wood family," said Scoop Vessels.

"It is very special to all of us in the Vessels family to have these long-term relationships with mares like Harems Choice and good horsemen and good people like the Woods.

"Harems Choice was born right here and all but three of her foals were bred right here. For the past few years she lived with Fishers Favorite and Sizzling Lil and we had the pleasure of visiting those ladies every day.

"We are very fortunate that she will never leave us, just like her blood through her sons and daughters will never leave the pedigrees of good racing American Quarter Horses."

In addition to Royal Quick Dash, Harems Choice also produced Champion First Sovereign SI-106, $278,829, who won the Grade I Kindergarten Futurity and the Grade I Ed Burke Memorial Futurity; Grade I Los Alamitos Million Futurity winner A Regal Choice SI-101,$735,507; Multiple Stakes Placed Winner First Rate Choice SI-104, $98,220, and the dam of Grade I Ruidoso Futurity Winner Red Clay Of Texas SI-105, S 169,863.

Harems Choice also has a yearling filly by First Down Dash named Harems Dynasty and a 2007 colt by First Down Dash. A recipient mare at Vessels currently is carrying a First Down Dash--Harems Choice embryo.

To date, Harems Choice has 15 foals to reach racing age with 14 starters which have earned $2,253,387. A daughter of Beduino(TB), Harems Choice was from the immediate family of Champion Black Easter Bunny (the dam of Champion Bunny's Bar Maid); World Record Setter and Champion Come Six; and Multiple Stakes Winner and two-time 350-yard track record setter Miss Flicka Reb.