'They're a joy' - Twin colts remain a blessing for Coteau Grove

Earlier this year, Louisiana-based Coteau Grove Farms received a most unexpected surprise when their mare Villa d'Este gave birth to healthy twin colts.

Before the mare foaled out, the farm had wondered why she was so large, not knowing she was carrying an additional foal. To their amazement, both foals were no worse for the wear and now, more than seven months later, the sons of Gift Box have started to grow into their skin.

Jacob Cyprian, broodmare manager at the Sunset operation, witnessed the birth and has been with the colts for every step of their journey. He said they are somewhat of resident celebrities at the farm.

"[Their] health is well. When they were first born, they were both below average, but they're sprouting up and they're coming around," Cyprian said.

"Anybody who visits the farm [says] 'Where's the twins?' They're kind of popular. They're maturing good, they handle good, they're very sweet horses."

'The smaller foal is a rascal.'

Despite both colts being in good shape when they were born, one has always been smaller than the other. Cyprian said, however, that the littler colt has a personality to make up for his size.

"They're complete opposites. The bigger foal is real laid-back and the smaller foal is a rascal," Cyprian said. "He picks on his bigger brother, but the little one gives me a good sign [that] he shows his personality.

"He shows that he's going to be something. That's what I like to see, the personalities of these horses. He's one that stands out."

Most mares do not have such success when they carry two foals. About 14 per cent of pregnancies in horses are twins, and typically one of the fetuses is manually removed "prior to 16 days", according to Dr Chris Newton, DVM and shareholder at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington.

Newton said that if these types of pregnancies are not monitored, the mare can abort or have a slow or difficult birth that could result in the loss of both the mare and one or both foals.

Luckily for Cyprian, his biggest task with the colts now is trying to give each his own identity before they head to the sales as yearlings.

"Right now we're looking forward to coming up with names for them," Cyprian said. "We're in a group message, everybody is putting their head and mind together...They are separate [in the pasture]. We need them to find their own way.

"They will both see the sales ring, that's the plan for now. Both are going to yearling sales. One is going to sell in Louisiana and one is going to sell in Kentucky."

Cyprian said the bigger foal is 'real laid-back.'

As for the mare, Villa d'Este, she recovered well from the birth and is back in foal to Coteau Grove's very own No Parole, who became the farm's first homebred Grade 1 winner in the 2020 Woody Stephens Stakes.

Along with caring for Villa d'Este and her twins, Cyprian helps to manage the rest of the horses on the property. He said they have approximately 150 head, with 49 of those being weanlings.

"We're getting up there. We're trying to have that Derby horse, and if God says the same, we're going to get him," Cyprian said. "We're really busy, so we're not open to the public for people to come in and look at [the twins]. But people have reached out to come and look at them.

"We're blessed to have them; they're a joy to be around. Everything is good."

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