Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Mar. 25, 2025) – This coming Saturday, Helen Woodward Animal Center invites the public to a very special, and extremely unique, birthday party. The celebration marks a landmark 15-years of life for “miracle twin foals,” Sunny and Angel, who gained worldwide attention during their fragile first year at the Center’s Equine Hospital. The babies were among a tiny handful of horse twins born alive and in good health. Now, almost 15 years later and thriving, their “Foal Fanatics” have not forgotten the magic of their birth and the friendships that were formed as they watched them grow. Helen Woodward Animal Center invites the public to join us for cake, carrots and cheer – Saturday, March 29th between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Sunny and Angel’s story began nearly fifteen years ago, on the morning of March 28th, when mother Lena, a 9-year-old maiden registered Quarter Horse went into labor with what was expected to be her first foal. Instead, Lena surprised everyone, including her owner, by giving birth to twins. The extremely rare twin birth signaled worry for doctors who knew that their concerning statistics were a one-in-10,000 chance of surviving the birth and a one-in-15,000 chance of surviving their first two weeks of life.
The family was immediately rushed to Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Equine Hospital where mother Lena, and twin brother and sister, Sunny and Angel, were placed under the care of Dr. Rodrigo Vazquez of Equine Surgical Services and Center Equine Hospital technicians and staff. The family was monitored 24 hours a day, and their success was prayed for by an ever-growing number of horse-lovers.
“Most horse owners don’t want their mares to have twins,” said Dr. Rodrigo Vazquez. “It can be extremely dangerous for the mare and the foals.” In fact, most twin pregnancies are interrupted around the second week of gestation to prevent a mid-term abortion. “One of the embryos is manually reduced to protect the mare and allow the other embryo to grow to full term,” he explained.
Sunny and Angel, however, delighted the world as they not only survived the birth, but thrived, growing into an adorable and loving pair. The extraordinary duo and their mother Lena gained worldwide attention through streaming video, media coverage, and their Facebook fan club – “Foal Fanatics,” attracting visitors from as far away as the United Kingdom.
EVENT: Miracle Twin Foals – Sunny & Angel – Celebrate their 15th Birthday
WHERE: Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Equine Hospital, 6525 Helen Woodward Way Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
WHEN: Saturday, March 29th from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
VISUALS:
- 15-year-olds miracle twin foals Sunny and Angel playing and enjoying their very own cake!
- The uniting of mother Lena with her babies.
- Party guests enjoying cake and refreshments.
Now the grown-up gelding and mare are excited to show the world how beautifully they have developed into their mature, happy lives. Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Equine Hospital invites all of Sunny and Angel’s supporters to share cake, memories, photos, and a chance to visit with the playful twosome, along with Mother Lena, as they welcome their fifteenth year, this Saturday, March 29th, from 11:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m. For more information on Sunny and Angel’s celebration call 858-756-4117 ext. 4.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org.
