The
Haven became a 501(c)3 on March
8, 2006 (Our Mims' birthday).
Since then, a number of famous
and not-so-famous mares have
found their way to the Haven.
Once a lady comes to the Haven,
she is there for the rest of her
life. When that is over, she is
buried in the Haven's cemetery
(noted at the Bourbon County
Historical Society).
"Specializing
in restoring health and spirit in
aged mares" is the Haven's motto,
and both Jeanne Mirabito, Farm
Owner, and Cheryl Bellucci,
Director of Fundraising, work
very hard to make sure the ladies
of the Haven are taken care of
with the very best care every
day.
On
April 24, 2012, OMRH was honored
by being awarded the 2012 Farm
of the Year by the
Paris/Bourbon County Chamber of
Commerce. Read
more...
Jeanne
Mirabito introduces
the Ladies of The Haven June
3, 2009
Jeanne
Mirabito, Farm
Owner
Founder
and President Jeanne Mirabito
witnessed an Our Mims race on
television while she was a
teenager. She brashly pointed to
the screen and announced to her
family, "One day I will own that
horse." Years later, finding a
retired Mims abandoned in a
cattle field, Jeanne rescued the
mare and, with the help of a
local equine rescue, brought Mims
to her farm. With a deep
affection and knowledge of horse
care and nutrition, Jeanne
brought Mims back to
health.
As
chronicled in Barbara
Livingston's More Old
Friends, the Haven was
started from Jeanne's promise to
Our Mims that the elder mare
would never be forgotten. Using
Jeanne's extensive experience
with older equines, Jeanne has
created a place for Thoroughbred
broodmares to come and remain
until the end of their days. The
ladies, as they are called, are
tended to with love and
devotion... and respect. Given
appropriate and timely
veterinary, farrier, and dental
care, the mares thrive under
Jeanne's touch. Fans are now able
to see the ex-racers, the
mothers, the grandmothers, and
the great-grandmothers of their
Thoroughbred favorites. Barbara
Livingston appreciates the work
of the Haven so much, she
included an entire chapter about
Jeanne and the ladies in her
book, More Old
Friends.
Jeanne
personally sees to the needs of
the ladies. She has amassed a
vast knowledge of elder equine
care, including nutrition, joint,
skin, and muscle care. Jeanne
also provides tours of the farm
on request, attends promotional
events, and provides interviews
on request.
Cheryl
Bellucci, Director of Fundraising
and Promotion
Cheryl
Bellucci lives in Xenia, Ohio,
and is a computer programmer by
trade. She met Jeanne and her
husband, Pete, at an equine
rescue function. Cheryl's
husband, John, had been a fixture
at Belmont Racetrack during the
seventies and had followed Our
Mims' career firsthand. Both were
very pleased to hear that Mims
had a fantastic, permanent home.
When Cheryl asked Jeanne to
autograph a card featuring Mims'
photo on the front, Jeanne wrote,
"Come visit." The couple did,
many times, and John even
completed a sculpture of Mims for
Jeanne. During one visit, Jeanne
told Cheryl of her dream of
opening an equine haven for
elderly Thoroughbred
broodmares.
When
Mims died of colic, John and
Cheryl were called to Kentucky to
witness Mims' burial and to be
able to pay their last respects.
Mims was buried in Calumet's
cemetery, and when Cheryl heard
of Jeanne's concerns about being
able to secure the proper stone
for Our Mims in the equine
cemetery, Cheryl stepped up and
offered to chair the drive to
secure the funds. Within a month,
the money for Mims' stone was
secured. Then Jeanne once again
mentioned her idea of the Haven,
this time to honor Mims' memory.
Cheryl begged to be a part of it,
offering to run eBay auctions, an
online store, and other things to
help fund Jeanne's effort...
starting the partnership that is
still responsible for running the
Haven to this day.
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