Rhapsody Queen Finds Her Place as Herd Boss at Our Mims Retirement Haven
Rhapsody Queen may not have been a star on the racetrack, but she has certainly found a way to stand out at Our Mims Retirement Haven. She has taken on a new role at this mature stage of her life, one that has earned her the nickname “Great White Shark.”
Early Life - Pedigree, Racing Career, & Success as a Broodmare:
Bred by Dapple Bloodstock, Rhapsody Queen was foaled on April 10, 2005, out of the Grade 3-placed mare To The Queen, a daughter of Deputy Minister and a full sister to Grade 2 winner Yarrow Brae.
A $350,000 yearling purchase, she raced in the silks of Siena Farm, making six starts with trainer Thomas Bush, her only win coming by 3½-lengths in a maiden special weight at Aqueduct. At the conclusion of her short racing career, Queen joined Siena Farm’s broodmare band, where she produced seven named foals, including Music Amore, a gray daughter of Mshawish who won the Searching Stakes at Laurel Park in 2022.
Rhapsody Queen’s New Life at Our Mims Retirement Haven (2023-present):
In 2023, with Siena Farm beginning to make their way out of the horse business, they wanted to find a good home for Rhapsody Queen and her pasture mate, Somethinaboutbetty. They reached out to Our Mims Retirement Haven, who graciously accepted Siena’s donation of the mares.
“They didn’t have to come here, they weren’t needing to be rescued,” Ann Cheek, president of Our Mims Retirement Haven, explained of Rhapsody Queen and Somethinaboutbetty’s arrival. “But Siena Farm had done so much for us that we wanted to take a couple of their retired horses.”
“They took really good care of her. And they still do.”
And so, “Queen” and “Betty” stepped off the trailer into a forever home at The Haven on July 12, 2023.
Acceptance into the herd didn’t happen immediately for Queen. Though she had been best friends with Betty at Siena Farm, Betty quickly dropped Queen for her newfound buddies, while Queen’s rambunctious behavior made her an outcast.
“The herd actually, kinda, kicked her out for a while,” Cheek said. “They were just like, you’re retired, calm down.”
“So she learned really quick to just put that head down, come in, and be nice.”
Once Queen relaxed into her new life, she found herself a mentor in herd boss Kidnap Katie, and when Katie passed away in 2024, Queen took the throne.
“Herd boss is never the mean mare, it’s the mare that can delegate,” Cheek explained. “They do pay attention. And we do call her the ‘Great White Shark,’ because when she is coming through, the waters part, and they get out of the way.”
Queen has also become another one of The Haven’s top greeters when visitors come for a tour. She loves people, she loves attention, and she certainly loves the treat bucket that comes out for tours.
And in quieter moments, she just wants to rest her head in your arms, her version of a hug.
“Just like the rest of them that come here, they’ve learned that this is just a place where they can be peaceful. And that’s what she’s become. She’s just super sweet and loves people.”
Our Mims Retirement Haven: A nonprofit dedicated to the health and well-being of a herd of retired Thoroughbred broodmares.
About: Championing horse racing through the stories of its horses, people, and places. Our focus is on education and celebration that honors every part of the racing world.
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