Page 64 - August 2017

Mikel has been on the cover of several magazines and periodicals, including:
Raising Runners
Mikel says he and Christie got into the race business the year they got married, but are now in a kind of rebuilding mode. “The Monday before Thanksgiving four years ago, Christie got hit head-on going to work,” Mikel says. “We about lost her and she had several surgeries on her leg. We’re very lucky she’s here. But the guy that hit her had just basic insurance coverage and no job, so we ended up selling all our horses except one mare that we’d been running at the time.”
That graded stakes-winning mare, Corona Mit Go, aka Sammi (PYC Paint Your Wagon- Missy Mit Go, Himito Dancer), ranked 51st by wins in 2012 and has run out more than $117,000 on the track, including a win in the Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge and qualifying for the AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship at Los Alamitos in 2013.
“Sammi happened to be the last foal out of our original mare,” Mikel says. “She’d done very well on the track and we were keeping her regardless. She sustained a stifle injury while in California
for the AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship
Maintaining Balance
Balance is something Mikel is working
on extra hard these days. His first show in conjunction with his Cowboy Artists of America membership will take place in October, and
in addition to his western artwork, he has a commissioned work of Mr Jess Perry in his queue.
“I usually have two or three pieces going at a time to keep from getting bored, especially if something is really big,” he says. “I like to let something rest, give it a day or two, and then look at it later with fresh eyes.”
Included in the Donahues’ travels to upcoming art shows will be stops at what Mikel calls junk stores, finding little collectibles and
at Los Alamitos in 2013, so the following spring we decided to let her rest for the summer and bring her back in the fall. Then our trainer (Stacy Charette-Hill) wanted to partner on a breeding. Sammi’s first 2 year old is running this year at Prairie Meadows. Then, we’ve got her Valiant Hero colt that will be sold at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale in September — a really nice, big colt — and we had her Hes Relentless filly on the ground this year, and another “Hero” in the oven cooking for next year. Next year, we’ll breed Sammi to Mr Jess Perry and Hez Our Secret at 6666’s.”
‘Missy’ also produced New Track Record setter Mr Chivato To You in 2002. The multiple Grade 1 winner and Supreme Race Horse won 15 of his outs and qualified for the Champion of Champions, finishing his career with more than $522,000 in earnings.
“We’re looking for good things from Sammi’s babies,” Mikel says. “If they run like they look — and we’re lucky — we’ll be happy. She’s producing some nice babies with good conformation and balance.”
vintage western items: “anything to do with horses — especially bucking horses for Christie — and cowboys and cowgirls,” he says. “And
I’ve always been a music fan. I don’t have time
to play anymore, but I like to listen to music. I like to have balance: my art, our horses, good music and our family. Being able to do what I love, supported by my best friend and partner (Christie), a loving family and wonderful friends, life is good. It doesn’t get any better than this.”
Editor’s Note: You can see Mikel’s work at Trailside Galleries in Jackson, Wyoming, and Scottsdale, Arizona; at Settlers West Galleries in Tucson, Arizona; and by visiting www.mikeldonahue.com.
62 SPEEDHORSE, August 2017
Mikel Donahue’s Artistic Awards
2016 2012
2011
2010
2009 2009
2009
2006 & 2009
Inducted into Cowboy Artists of America
Invited by the Oklahoma Arts Council to show a retrospective of his work at the Governor’s Gallery at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City Received the Academy of Western Artists’ Will Rogers Award for Artist of the Year (in the company of artists such as Bill Owen, Bruce Greene, Fred Fellows and Tim Cox).
Awarded the prestigious
Premier Platinum Award and
the William E. Weiss Purchase Award at the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale.
Won the Artists’ Choice Award at the Buffalo Bill Art Show.
Was the featured artist at the America’s Horse in Art Show and Sale at the American Quarter Horse Museum in Amarillo, Texas.
Recognized with a one-man show at Remington Park during the Quarter Horse race meet. Best of Show at the Working
Ranch Cowboys Association Art Show & Sale
In addition, Mikel has work in many private collections, museums,
and participates in several shows throughout the year.