On the north side of Ocala, is a large horse training facility with stables, various other buildings, and a track.
In front of the track there is a monument featuring the bust of a gentleman and his horse. I would guess both are important in terms of horse racing but I don't know their names. It wasn't until I had walked around the area for a bit, that Lois Anne pointed out that the brick enclosing the statuary is in the form of a horseshoe, which is, naturally, quite appropriate!
The entire property, however, is going to seed. It is up for sale and there does not appear to be any substantial activity in terms of training or racing at the moment.
28 comments:
It makes me wonder, is this a failing business or just someone that decided to retire. I do really like this monument either way.
Thanks for the sensitive comments on my post. I appreciated your sentiments. I found tis picture strangely empty and wasn't surprised that the place is going to seed. The cheers at the track die when the race is over.
Beautiful symmetrical shot, the place looks still fine, a pity nobody uses it.
When I think of Florida, horses do not come to mind. I guess they should! The facility looks so lush!
Beautifully framed. As the image loaded slowly from top to bottom I was completely amazed left by the beautiful sky and the same continued as I saw the whole frame. Perfect and symmetrical. This picture & the place are awesome.
How sad that a beautiful facility like that is empty and not being cared for. It's tough everywhere I guess.
MB
How sad! And it seems like such a wonderful place. I guess the economy isn't very friendly right now for non-essentials like horse racing. :(
Nice looking facilities even if they are going to seed. We have such places here in EG too, believe it or not. The big one on the south side of town was hit by a tornado several weeks ago so doesn't look as great as it once did...but repairs are under way.
Bonjour Lois Anne and Jacob. Thanks for all the comments! I'm jet-lagged ;-) and will be off again somewhere else tomorrow. Just wanted to say I appreciated your visits despite my absence. It's sad that such a beautiful looking property is going to seed.
Welcome home!!! Hope you had a great time. We missed you, that's for sure.
Now, you'll need to rest up from your vacation. ;-) Happens to me every time!
Nice shot Jacob !! I would say Jacob that you are a wonderful photographer and the way you capture the shots are awesome..Great..Unseen Rajasthan
It's not that unusual these days to see some homes in foreclosure or businesses looking for new owners. But this appears to be a very specialized facility (and or home) and personalized, too. There must be quite a story behind it (and price.)
This economy is tough on businesses that cater to the people who have seen their investment and real estate portfolios plunge.
On the subject of horses, you might be interested in checking out the photos of polo ponies in Buenos Aires that we have posted on our www.vivalavoyage.com travel photo site.
Nice shot .. sad indeed
Too bad it's not being kept up! Sign o the times, I guess. Sad. Interesting capture!! :-D
Love the horseshoe. Nice shot.
It's a beautiful spot! Such a shame it is not being used.
I hope this place can be well care again!
A beautiful place!
Léia
Sad commentary on the times. Hope someone buys it soon and gives it new life. Or perhaps Mother Nature is trying to reclaim it all.
@ Frank - Yes, this is a good-sized operation...lots of land, too. The track is beautiful with a stand for judges, but it is being taken over by weeds and paint is peeling...it all looks kind of scruffy.
They keep the statue and area around the statue looking pretty good, though.
The price for this property is hefty, I'm sure.
I really like the horseshoe around the statue. Very nice.
@ Lee - You are so right! We stood in the empty, deserted judges stand with old soda cans, paper and other trash and looked out over the track and felt nothing but a kind of desolation ... void of any life whatsoever...
It looks like it could be a lovely horse estate...
I'm sure someone will buy and reopen it. When it comes to horses there's no better place than Ocala, right? (;
I'm sad to hear it's going away. It looks like a great place.
Thanks for the welcome back! I've only been posting for a week or so...I'm just now getting photos together and finding time to post them. Taking care of an infant is seriously a full-time job. I hope to get back into visiting your blog regularly again.
Would someone please tell the name or former name of this place. I found this photo by accident and have a couple of friends that work with horses in Florida. I've described the photo but they are presently living with a dead computer and it's getting a little frustrating trying to find out about this place. I live in Tennessee but am temted to drive to northern Ocale just to find it. Flying over the area on Google maps was time consuming and unproductive. Thanks in advance to anyone that reads this and many thanks to the person who can solve this mystery for me.
@ Anonymous - I'm not sure of the name of the street, but it's east of 441 about a mile or so, 4-5 miles north of Ocala.
Jacob, I really wasn't expecting such a quick reply. That will help. Also, anonymous doesn't seem appropriate for someone seeking answers.....Thanks for your time...Stirling
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