aftercare

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is now accepting donations for its 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover Silent Auction, the non-profit said in a Thursday release. Hosted online, the silent auction runs during Thoroughbred Makeover week, Oct. 4-12, and items are on display starting Oct. 8. Past contributions have included unique experiences such as polo lessons or fox hunting, racing memorabilia such stallion halters and shoes, and one-of-a-kind equestrian or racing artwork. Items to be shipped to the Maryland office for processing must be sent by Sept. 16. In-person donations can be dropped...

VIBRANT FORCE: HOW AFTERCARE SHOULD WORK Just over three years ago, we launched Wasabi Aftercare Fund to provide safe and secure retirements for all horses that are bred and/or raced by Wasabi Ventures Stables. Recently, we assisted in our first retirement of a horse bred, but not raced, by WVS. On Febr. 24, 2021, Vibrant Spirit foaled a healthy colt by Force the Pass. It was determined that he would not be kept to run for Wasabi. Rather than bring him to auction, WVS sold the colt to Bobby Flock...

The Horse Racing Women's Summit has added a limited number of tickets to their previously sold-out July 23 event at the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York, according to a Friday press release. The event will include a day of speakers, networking and connecting as the topic of safety of racehorses during and following their race careers takes center stage. Participants will enjoy a light continental breakfast and full buffet lunch from PDT Catering, and two complimentary drinks from Old Tavern Farms's Barrel Bar...

It was during the moments after Billy Major came face-to-face with death, and momentarily lost the battle, that he knew something needed to change. On November 14, 2022, as he awoke on the floor of a motel room after overdosing on heroin, Major felt the hand of God rest upon his shoulder. And this time, he reached over to take it. "I woke up laying on the floor in front of my refrigerator. I saw people sitting on the bed, some of my friends, and there was a gentleman with...

Wanda Polisseni, owner of My Purple Haze Stables, will become the 30th member inducted into the Finger Lakes Hall of Fame the track announced Monday. The induction ceremony, which will take place as part of the Finger Lakes HBPA annual dinner meeting, is Thursday, June 6. In her focus on aftercare, Polisseni is a founding supporting of the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program while also ensuring homes for more than 700 horses through the Purple Haze Center, the nation's first Thoroughbred aftercare program housed at a track. "Wanda Polisseni has...

A pair of winners, After the Races and the Retired Racehorse Project, opted to split the winnings of the Resolute Racing's Poker For Ponies Tournament held in the lead up to the GI Kentucky Derby earlier this month. Hosted by the Louisville Thoroughbred Society May 1, the tournament invited players to pledge winnings to one of 20 pre-selected Thoroughbred aftercare organizations. Jimmy Gladwell and Gavin O'Connor each tied for the win and earned $32,500 apiece for their two respective organizations. "Support from the racing industry has played a vital role...

Assistant trainer Nikki Kaye was not exactly thrilled when she learned that Fire King (Palace Malice) was joining her barn. According to her best friend, jockey Madison Olver, the 2-year-old was appropriately named. Olver rode for Christophe Clement in the mornings and knew that Fire King had a big attitude and a major stubborn streak. The colt lived up to that reputation when he arrived at Jose Camejo's barn at Aqueduct. "He comes in and he's just shiny, gorgeous and muscular, but he was so mean," Kaye recalled. "He didn't...

Seven months after learning they were one of a handful of racehorse rehoming and animal rescue organizations bequeathed a large sum of money by owner Nancy Messineo, the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) have received the "significant gift" and are in the process of figuring out how to best use it. "We received this gift the end of last year right before Christmas," said Lucinda Lovitt, executive director of the non-profit founded 15 years ago to raise money for the state's fleet of retired racehorses. "It's timely in the sense...

Aftercare. It's a hot button topic that is continuously discussed among those within and outside of the Thoroughbred industry. And though the racing community has made leaps and bounds in its efforts to ensure a safe landing for retiring racehorses, there is always room for growth, improved planning and increased funding. One charitable organization is forging a new path in this aspect of the industry, as The Horse Fund establishes a unique precedent for Thoroughbred ownership groups by taking the 'after' out of aftercare and instead, standing in as the...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) has been named the official aftercare partner of this weekend's Pegasus World Cup races at Gulfstream Park. The TAA will have a race named on both the Friday and Saturday programs. On Friday, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will present Race 6: "Congratulations Fasig-Tipton TAA Auction Winners" alongside Fasig-Tipton, the winning bidder of last year's Off to the Races VIP Pegasus Package. Post time is set for 2:39 PM ET. On Saturday, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will present Race 10, the Grade II 'TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)'s annual online benefit auction featuring VIP racing experience packages will open bidding Thursday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. EST and close Friday, Feb. 2 at 10 p.m. EST. All proceeds from the 'Off to the Races Campaign' will go to support accredited aftercare. The auction features 18 VIP packages which grant access to major race days across North America in 2024 and 2025. Each package features an exclusive itinerary of horse racing-related activities. "These VIP experiences are more than just events, they're gateways to unforgettable...

Michael Blowen, the founder of Old Friends, has stepped down as President of the Thoroughbred aftercare facility. He joined this week's Writers' Room to discuss the announcement.