El Milagro Pony Farm
Raul Castro enjoyed a life-long love of horses. He was raised in rural Sonora and southern Arizona at a time when automobiles were just beginning to arrive on the scene and people still relied on their horses for transportation and for herding livestock. He shares his love of horses with his wife, Patricia. She was raised on a farm in Wisconsin and she has been involved in equestrian activities throughout her life. Shortly after they were married, Raul and Patricia Castro established a commercial pony-breeding business in Tucson, Arizona, which they named “El Milagro Pony Farm.” Eventually, their two daughters became old enough to ride thoroughbreds and to participate in jumping competitions. The family was separated from their pony farm in 1964 when Raul was appointed U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador. After returning to Tucson from Central America, in 1970, the Castros established the Castro Hackney Stables and they bred and sold Hackneys for several years. Raul Castro often found time to ride horses while serving as Ambassador. He kept some of his horses boarded in Phoenix and Prescott so he could ride on occasion while serving as Arizona Governor.
