Some families bond over hockey. Others over gardening or travel. In ours, there’s a steady thread of horse racing — thanks to my brother‑in‑law, whose love for horses has been a lifelong constant. It’s not just casual interest, either. He’s been right in the thick of it, owning and racing horses with all the hope, heartbreak, and surprise that come with the sport.
One of the brightest stars in his stable was a mare named Miss Vyvyanne. I’ve written about her before — she was spirited, fast, and full of promise. For a while, she was doing beautifully on the track, the kind of horse that made you lean forward in your seat and hold your breath in the final stretch.
Then came the claiming race.
Claiming races are funny things: strategic, nerve‑wracking, and sometimes a little bittersweet. You put a horse in at a set price, knowing someone might claim her. And someone did. Miss Vyvyanne was picked up by new owners… in her lifetime she's earned over $500.000.
Half a million dollars. Some of it our owners received, but what a record! You have to laugh — and admire her — because that’s racing. Unpredictable, humbling, and occasionally astonishing. That does sound amazing, but the cost of owning a race horse is exorbitant!
But the story doesn’t end there.
With Miss Vyvyanne off writing her own chapter, my brother‑in‑law and his friends brought home a new youngster: a handsome male they named B the King. There’s something hopeful about naming a horse — a little wish tucked into the syllables. His first race earlier this year showed promise; he came fourth, a respectable start for a young horse finding his stride.
On Friday, he ran again, this time in a claiming race. This one felt tense, given what happened with Miss Vyvyanne. But B the King wasn’t claimed — he’s still theirs, still learning, still growing into whatever future he’s meant to have.
And here’s the race, if you’d like to watch it unfold:
There’s something grounding about following these horses — the way they remind us that effort doesn’t always equal outcome, that surprises can be good or heartbreaking, and that hope is always waiting at the next starting gate. Whether B the King becomes a champion or simply a beloved part of the family’s racing journey, he’s already brought excitement, anticipation, and a few proud smiles.
And really, that’s the magic of it.
