Our Mims Retirement Haven

Recently, I had the opportunity to learn more about Our Mims, a Thoroughbred aftercare program. Learn more about them via this interview, and then (if you can) schedule a visit!

Where is Our Mims Retirement Haven based?

Our Mims is located in Paris, Kentucky, on a 42 acre farm owned by the Mirabito family. Our Mims utilizes 25 of those acres for our sanctuary. 

How did your program begin?

In 1990, the mare, Our Mims, was sold as part of Calumet’s dispersal sale. In 1997 Jeanne Mirabito found a pensioned Our Mims on a local farm. With the help of a local rescue, Mims came to live with Jeanne… and a lifelong friendship developed. In memory of the great mare, Jeanne Mirabito created Our Mims Retirement Haven to provide care for other mares once their broodmare careers were over. The Haven became a 501(c)3 on March 8, 2007 (Our Mims’ birthday). Since then, a number of famous and not-so-famous mares have found their way to the Haven.

What makes The Haven unique?

We focus on aged mares (20 years or older) only. We do occasionally take slightly younger mares, but we try to keep the minimum age at 20. The Haven is a sanctuary; we don’t retrain or adopt out. It also is a place where people can come and relax and get to know a horse personally. We have volunteer opportunities and tours. 

How do you receive horses for your program?

The horses come to us, although we do have a waiting list. Jeannie Mirabito’s promise was to help Our Mims’ descendants and other old mares. Only Thoroughbred mares are considered for retirement at The Haven.

How many horses have gone through your program?

Fifty-eight Thoroughbreds have been part of The Haven, with up to ten horses living here at a time.

How does Our Mims receive funding?

Our funding comes from donors. We also apply for grants through Thoroughbred Charities of America and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (accredited through both), as well as other groups. We host an open house in June and also have a store.

Do you have a story about a horse that we can share with our readers? 

We proudly welcomed Mims Eppi on June 21, 2024, into our organization. ‘Eppi’ is a beautiful gray mare who turned 19 years old on February 24, 2024. She is sired by Toby Keith’s Cactus Ridge and out of the Spectacular Bid/Our Mims mare, Mim’s Bid. Racing only 5 times, she earned $55,694. 

After leaving the racetrack, Mims Eppi had 10 foals by some amazing sires: Will Take Charge, First Dude, Imperialism, Liams Map, Corinthian, Songandaprayer (twice), Bandini, Candy Ride and Uncle Mo. She also had breedings to Grand Slam, Rattlesnake Bridge, Arrogate, Jackie’s Warrior and Shancelot, but didn’t produce foals from those pairings. Her most successful foal was Singanothersong, who earned $518,931 in his racing career.

OMRH typically takes in mares over the age of 20, with a few exceptions in the past when asked by other organizations to take in a mare on their behalf. When approached with the prospect of getting a granddaughter of the late, great Our Mims, we could not turn the offer down. Eppi came to Our Mims in a non-traditional way for us. She went through an auction and was found in a feed lot in New York. Research was done quickly, and it was found that she was a granddaughter to Our Mims and the Haven was immediately contacted. Thanks to some amazing women (and a very special Our Mims donor), who we will forever be grateful for, funds were raised to get her off the feedlot, into quarantine and then on to the Haven, where she got to meet her new girlfriends. 

She has been turned out to join the rest of the Ladies of the Haven where she will roll in the bluegrass and relish in the love and adoration of her new fans – and live the life we wish ALL horses could live.

If people want to help your program, what can they do?

There are a number of opportunities. They can purchase items on our Amazon wishlist. If they want to donate and receive something for themselves, they can shop at the store on our website. They also can donate to buy a bale of hay or 50. The hay drive is a year round fundraiser and is the best way to help. Finally, people should come out and see the horses! Just book a tour, all of which are personal, to see The Haven and our horses.

*Want to learn about another Thoroughbred aftercare program? Check out this article about Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga.