It is with all the love that one woman can have for a horse that I share with you the unassuming and unpretentious story of FW Casino, 2003 chestnut son by Thee Gambler out of MB Maaressa by Orashan.  Casino at 15.3 hands, boasts not only his famous sire’s good looks, but also his wonderful disposition.  Obedient, loyal and eager to please, he is also a stallion of impeccable conformation.   

 

Undeniably those are perfect traits, but that's only a small part of what makes Casino a truly special stallion. He is a best friend that puts everything into perspective in the most stressful of times.

Bred and raised by my good friend, Marilyn Thomas of Falconwood Legacy Bloodstock, Casino was nurtured and loved in his early years by a horsewoman of passion that adored and pampered him.  This translated into a young man that was completely devoted to people… particularly women… more particularly blondes. 

It was Casino’s affection for blondes that had me enthralled and fortunately, being blonde at the time I easily fell in love with the gallant gentleman.  The following week another gallant gentleman, my husband, purchased the young stallion for me from a very reluctant Marilyn. 

 

 

I was thrilled the day that Casino came to Dogwood Springs, completely at peace and happy just to watch him trot, graze and survey his farm.  He intently watched and he easily learned his new herd. My heart was full of delight as if watching a baby discover new things.  Since we bought “Casey” as a young two year old, his discovery was more along the lines of, “Do all of these girls belong to me? They ALL belong to ME?”  Within three days at Dogwood Springs, he had perfected his highstepping trot so that he could turn the corner of the pasture in such a way as to produce maximum drama for his mare admirers stationed around him.

 

 

Casino’s amazing sire, The Gambler, was a gorgeous, tall and elegant Thee Desperado son out of an Alidaar daughter.  He achieved a Top 5 U.S. National Champion and Canadian Reserve National Champion and was trained and shown to titles by the Arabian horse industries biggest names.  Thee Gambler’s pedigree is a “Who’s Who”, with three U.S. National Reserve Champion stallions, a National Top Ten Futurity Stallion, two National Top Ten Stallions and four international champion producing sires in the first three generations.  Thee Gambler’s and Casino’s sire line including the legendary, Thee Desperado is powerful and prepotent for large, athletic bodies, elegant, dishey heads, long, stretchy necks and large, dark expressive eyes.*  

 

 

Just as his pedigree guarantees, Casino is a world-class mover going back to Gasaara by *Faleh++, a multi-U.S. national performance and endurance champion. This ability to crank out a trot, coupled with his obedient nature makes Casino a promising candidate for training under saddle or as a producer of winning performance stock. During a showing Liz Salmon said, “Casino can win anywhere in the world.” 

However, Casino has NOT had to sing for his supper.  Living in top of the hill pastures overlooking his herd of show and breeding mares, he is the king of his domain and has been shown competitively only out of the happiness to share him.  Predictably he is most joyful, in or out of the ring with a woman on the end of his lead. In fact, it was Marilyn and I over a few pear martinis that assisted him to cover his first mares. I don’t know if he had more fun that day or if we did, but the pear martinis were fabulous, made with pears that we picked right off of Marilyn’s tree on the Falconwood grounds.

Today, Jerel and I proudly announce the sale of FW Casino.  He has returned to his home farm and to his beloved “mom”, Marilyn.  Returning home to Falconwood will allow him to help his equally handsome brothers continue Thee Gambler’s proud legacy of producing champion straight Egyptian Arabians.  Thee Gambler consistently produced sizable, typey and flashy get, including fillies that cross well in programs utilizing both line breeding or outcrossed breeding strategies.  Casino, as the most look-alike Gambler son promises to do the same.

 

FW Casino's half brother, Al Gazi (Thee Gambler X Bint Zaarina)

Bred and owned by Marilyn Thomas

photo by: Marilyn Thomas

Jerel, thank you, Sweetheart, for the generous gift of FW Casino. Marilyn, thank you for sharing Casey with me.  More importantly thank you for giving him the opportunity to show the world what he can produce.  Casino has captured my heart like no other horse ever will. 

Love to all,

Daphne