Donya
Royal blood, eight foals, one soft landing
Hello, my name is Donya. I am an 18-year-old Thoroughbred mare with royal blood flowing through my veins. Born March 21, 2008, in Kentucky, I’m a granddaughter of the great Seattle Slew with Danzig lines on my father’s side, sired by Anabaa, the same stallion who gave the world the legendary Goldikova. I was bred to be special, and for years I lived up to that promise, bringing eight beautiful foals into the world, including my precious last baby, Ricky.
But after my breeding days ended, life turned harsh. I found myself shuffled through the Tennessee auction lots three different times, scared, uncertain, and wondering if anyone would ever see my worth again. In June 2024, Mane Characters stepped in and changed everything. They brought me here to Paris, Kentucky, and the best part? My boy Ricky came with me. Now I share a huge, rolling pasture with Miss Tapizar (Misty) and Dana. We graze under the Kentucky sun, choose when to run and when to stand quietly together, and I finally feel like the queen I was always meant to be. No more auctions, just freedom, friendship, and peace. My tale has a happy ending, and I’m living it every single day.
About Donya
Sponsors receive exclusive updates from Donya: photos, notes, and the small moments from the barn.
Sponsor Donya →Daily routine
Favorite treat
Carrots
Something to know
Two of Donya's progeny, Swift Bank and World Bank, won Maiden Special Weight races on the same day, at the same track! (As of this writing, they're both still racing.)
From the pasture
Pay what you can. Get the updates.
Sponsorship covers feed, farrier, and the long quiet hours of Donya’s retirement. In return you get monthly updates from the herd: photos, short notes, the occasional video, and the small satisfaction of knowing a horse by name.
- → Monthly photo & note from the barn
- → Members-only video updates
- → First look at new arrivals
- → Cancel any time, no fuss