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Illusionist, a champion Standardbred racehorse, made headlines in the Toronto Star and Trot magazine in retirement. During her six-year, 140-race career, "Lusi" earned over a million dollars and set numerous track records. In that time, her indomitable spirit also earned her the love and admiration of her owners, Dave and Renata Lumsden. It was as a broodmare, however, that Illusionist would face her biggest challenge and make front-page news. Lusi's health came into serious jeopardy very late during her third pregnancy, and her owners were faced with a terrible choice. If they acted in the best interest of their beloved mare it would be at the cost of the foal. Likewise, to safeguard the foal, would almost certainly cost them Illusionist. On January 10, 2014, Illusionist underwent a Caesarean section a full two weeks short of term-and the prognosis was chilling. Even with the procedure, Lusi's chance of survival was no better than a coin toss, and the premature foal's was pegged at one-in-twenty.
The Bounty of Illusionist is a heartfelt ode to the bond between a champion racehorse and the couple who loved and believed in her.
About the author
Retired X-ray technologist and post-secondary-school teacher Renata Lumsden, together with her husband Dave, loves, owns, and breeds Standardbred horses in southern Ontario. She is the author of two memoirs, Magical Albert (2020) and The Bounty of Illusionist (2017), about the couple, their horses, and the life lessons these four-legged creatures have taught her.
