New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program's early estimate of funds raised during its Breeders' Cup Pledge will be more than $140,000, it was announced Monday. This year's total was driven by a record nine horses with pledging connections–Wonder Wheel, Meditate (Ire), Forte, Victoria Road (Ire), Goodnight Olive, Caravel, Tuesday (Ire), Malathaat and Flightline–winning their races on Future Stars Friday and Championship Saturday.
Additional pledges are still coming in and final donations are still being tallied. Now in its 13th year, the Pledge has raised more than $1 million, with 100% of funds going directly to support the program's rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming efforts, which serves more than 500 horses a year.
“Pledging a portion of my Breeders Cup winnings to New Vocations is the very least that I can do as a horse owner,” said Jay Hanley of Team Hanley. “In our sport, horses–in this particular case for me Goodnight Olive–are the stars of the show. They are the ones at risk, laying it on the line every day for our enjoyment. It is absolutely our responsibility to ensure that our horses are properly cared for after their racing career is over.”
“I applaud the tireless efforts of Anna Ford and her staff at New Vocations and I look forward to supporting them for the rest of my life,” he added. “They are doing the most important work of anyone in the industry.”
In addition to Team Hanley, winning connections include D.J. Stable and the Green Family (Wonder Wheel); Coolmore and Partners (Meditate, Victoria Road and Tuesday); Todd Pletcher and Repole Stable (Forte); Madaket Stables (Caravel); Todd Pletcher (Malathaat); and West Point Thoroughbreds and Siena Farm (Flightline).
This year's pledge participants also include Bass Racing, Bob Baffert, Paul Braverman, Chad Brown, Cannon Thoroughbreds, CHC Inc., Cheyenne Stables, Michael Dubb, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, John D. Gunther, Fred and Debbie Kuntzman, Michael McCarthy, H. Graham Motion, Gatsas Stables, Harrell Ventures, Joe R. Peacock, Jr., LNJ Foxwoods, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, J. Kirk and Judy Robison, Rodeo Creek Racing, Richard Schermerhorn, SF Racing, Spendthrift Farm, Starlight Racing, Stonestreet Stables, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, Wertheimer et Frere and WinStar Farm.
“We are very grateful for the overwhelming support from the owners and trainers who choose to join the Pledge this year,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations Program Thoroughbred Program Director. “With over 60 horses with connections pledging this year, the campaign raises awareness and much-needed funds to continue our mission and grow our aftercare efforts.”
For more information on the Pledge, please visit www.newvocations.org or e-mail Anna@horseadoption.com.
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