More than $100,000 was raised during this year's Breeders' Cup Pledge, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced Monday. That total was driven by four horses with pledge connections–Fierceness (City of Light), Unquestionable (FR) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) and Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–winning their races on Future Stars Friday and Championship Saturday.
Additional pledges are still coming in as of Monday and final donations are being tallied. Now in its 14th year, the Pledge has raised more than a million dollars, with 100 percent of funds going directly to support the program's rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming efforts, which serves more than 500 retired racehorses a year.
“I'm thrilled to support the Breeders' Cup Pledge as it's a great way to raise the much-needed awareness and funds for New Vocations and their aftercare efforts,” shared owner Mike Repole. I'm a strong advocate for ensuring my retired racehorses receive proper aftercare within my control whether it's to an adoption program or a retirement facility. These amazing athletes mean so much to us and always deserve the best. We all need to do more, including me. Thoroughbred aftercare will be a major focus of my newly formed NTA.”
In addition to Repole Stable, winning connections include Coolmore and Partners (Unquestionable (FR) and Auguste Rodin (IRE)) and Team Hanley (Goodnight Olive). This year's pledge participants also included Jena Antonucci, Bob and Jill Baffert, Blue Rose Farm, Bradley Thoroughbreds, Peter M. Brant, Cheyenne Stables, D.J. Stable, eFive Racing Thoroughbreds, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Mark B. Grier, Graham Motion, Joe R. Peacock, Jr., Pin Oak Stud, Todd Pletcher, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, J. Kirk and Judy Robison, SF Racing, Siena Farm, Spendthrift Farm, Starlight Racing, Stonestreet Stables, Three Diamonds Farm, Wertheimer et Frere, West Point Thoroughbreds, Whisper Hill Farm and WinStar Farm.
“We feel very blessed to have 56 horses with pledging connections run during the two days of Championship races,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations Thoroughbred Program Director. “The funds raised are greatly needed as we have seen a 20% increase in the number of horses we have taken in compared to this time last year.”
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