Countdown to the Real Rider Cup in Lexington

When the Real Rider Cup launched a second leg of its charity show jumping fundraiser last year in Lexington at New Vocations' Mereworth Farm, the event's creator Anita Motion said that her team was not sure what to expect. But the breeding and racing community showed up in force to support the cause and the evening was a smashing success. The place was packed as spectators enjoyed lighthearted competition and helped double the event's previous record by bringing in over $90,000.

“We didn't even think that it would go beyond the first year,” Motion admitted. “The turnout we had was pretty incredible. I think everybody thoroughly enjoyed it. It's something very different. At a lot of fundraisers, you give the money but you don't get much in return. Whereas with this, people are putting on a big show.”

The Real Rider Cup was launched in 2017 with the goal of raising funds–and awareness–toward Thoroughbred aftercare. Racing personalities team up with an off-track Thoroughbred to complete a timed course of jumps. Each participant is required to raise a minimum of $1,000.

Between its Mid-Atlantic home base at Fair Hill and now its Lexington location, the Real Rider Cup has raised over $410,000 to support its three beneficiaries: the Retired Racehorse Project, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show.

“Every single penny goes towards promoting and helping with all the future fundraising for each of the recipients,” Motion explained. “The reach that these organizations have is huge and the more we can get this out about what we do with our retired racehorses, the better. It just goes to show what these horses can do after their racing career.”

The Real Rider Cup will return to Lexington this year on Saturday, July 8 at New Vocations ahead of the Fasig-Tipton July Sale. Motion is hoping for another big turnout.

“We had no idea what to expect last year and if we get half of what we got last year, we'll be doing very well,” she said.

Thatcher Street and Brian Hernandez Jr. claim the 2016 GIII River City H. | Coady

One of the horse-and-rider pairs that is sure to garner recognition from their time on the racetrack is Kara Lee and her mount Thatcher Street (Street Sense).

The duo first met when Lee began exercise riding for Ian Wilkes at Churchill Downs in 2014. While it took 13 tries over the course of two years for Thatcher Street to break his maiden, as an older horse he developed into a stakes-level turfer for owners Randy Bloch, Phil Milner, John Seiler and Fred Merritt. A stalwart of the Wilkes barn for several years, the gelding earned over $450,00 from 40 lifetime starts and took home stakes wins in the 2016 Opening Verse S. and the 2016 GIII River City H., also placing second in the 2015 River City and running third in the 2016 GII Wise Dan S.

Lee said that Thatcher Street was always a pleasure to work with and was a barn favorite.

“He was usually very good, but then a few days before race day he would get very tough,” she explained. “But at the same time, we used to pony on him at the track with horses that just needed a little bit of help. He was always very good with other horses, but he knew what his job was and he always showed up for race day.”

When it came time for the big bay to retire at the age of seven, he had a forever home with his exercise rider.

“He was the first stakes horse that I rode on the track, so he always had a special place in my heart,” Lee said. “When it came time for him to look for a new home, I just knew that I wasn't going to be able to give him up so he came home with me. He's earned it. He's been really good to me and I always have fun any time I'm on his back.”

Lee and 'Thatcher' completed the Retired Racehorse Project in 2019, coming in the top five of the Field Hunter division and earning top amateur honors. The following year, Thatcher Street made his Real Rider Cup debut when he teamed up with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who was one of his regular riders on the Kentucky circuit, for a virtual edition of the annual event (watch it here).

Private Island and his rider JayCee | Katie Petrunyak

After enjoying some 'R and R' for the past year, Lee and Thatcher Street are ready to get back into showing. Lee decided that the Real Rider Cup would be a fun way to dip their toes back into the water.

Since she first started in the industry a decade ago, Lee has steadily become more involved in the industry and has found a passion for developing and placing horses once their time on the track has ended. One of the many horses that Lee has secured a home for is Thatcher Street's half-brother Private Island (Bodemeister).

The 2018-foaled gelding also raced with Ian Wilkes, breaking his maiden at Kentucky Downs in 2020 and earning just under $100,000. Lee took on the gray when it was time for him to retire and soon found a home for him with 19-year-old JayCee Vanesky.

Private Island and Thatcher Street actually met during their racing years in the Wilkes barn. In fact, Thatcher Street helped pony Private Island when he was first learning the ropes of the racetrack. Now, the brothers often reunite for eventing lessons.

Thatcher Street ponied Private Island when he first arrived at the Ian Wilkes barn | courtesy Kara Lee

Lee said that the sibling pair and their personalities reflect most of the off-track Thoroughbreds that she works with.

“There aren't many other breeds of horses that are exposed to people cheering and yelling and umbrellas and strollers and just all the little stuff, so when they come off the track, they probably have one of the soundest brains that I've ever seen in a horse,” she said.

The Real Rider Cup is one opportunity to showcase the versatility, temperament and ability of retired racehorses like Thatcher Street.

Many racing celebrities, both human and equine, have participated over the years, from this year's Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Jena Antonucci to retired jockey Aaron Gryder and Zenyatta's son Cozmic One (Bernardini). The later two will both be making repeat appearances on July 8 in Lexington.

The event is free to attend and the first rider will take to the course at 7 p.m. Food trucks, a cash bar and live music will all be on-site. Attendees can RSVP here. Supporters can also donate to their favorite horse-and-rider teams to help them meet and exceed their $1,000 goal here.