By Alexandra Kokka
Arch Daddy made eight starts as a 4-year-old before retiring with a record of 2-0-0 and earnings just under $64,000. The half brother to multiple grade 1 winner Lord Nelson retired to TAA-accredited Final Furlong.
Last year, Joy Lambert and her family moved from Florida to Georgia and purchased a farm. Lambert owned two warmbloods, but they were still on lease in Florida thus leaving Lambert searching for a new mount.
“A previous student/client of mine works at Niall Brennan Racing Stable and had posted some horses that were needing homes on Facebook. I reached out to her and found out that another previous student/client of mine was adopting a mare already,” Lambert said. “Between our conversations, we decided that Arch Daddy was the best possibility for my style and before I knew it I was signing a contract and he was on his way to Atlanta.”
Lambert began her professional riding career on Thoroughbreds and always held a soft spot in her heart for them.
“(Arch Daddy) was quite simple to bring back from his racing career and we bonded immediately,” Lambert said. “He retired from the racetrack with a mild bow in his right front, so I took an incredible amount of time with flat work.”
Lambert and Arch Daddy, or “Waylon,” are progressing steadily through their training and he has taken to jumping with natural talent and a great temperament.
“My initial intention was to use him as my fox hunting horse,” Lambert said. “I am originally from Pennsylvania and have done some fox hunting in my younger years, so I figured I would join a local hunt and enjoy it again.”
Due to Lambert and her family’s recent move, “Waylon” has had more time to get to know his pasture pals and just be a horse.
“We are attending the Thoroughbred Makeover and will try to get started with fox hunting this fall. I have spent many years in the show ring with sale horses and client’s horses,” Lambert said. “My goal is to enjoy my horses on my own time. If he does well in the show ring, I will give someone a chance to enjoy him.
“I have had the opportunity to enjoy many horses, but at the end of the day I really enjoy the Thoroughbred. I have already adopted and shipped my 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover horse up from Final Furlong. He is only 3, so he is enjoying some time in the field growing up.”
