charity

Old Friends' HayRaiser fundraiser kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 27 and continues through Tuesday, Dec. 3. The campaign is aimed to raise funds to support the organization's herd of over 270 horses which requires in excess of 400 round bales to get through winter. "The Thanksgiving season is a perfect time to remember all of our retired Thoroughbred athletes at Old Friends," said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. "They have given so much and now it's our turn to give to them. Our ability to care for over...

Keith Haggins has been named the new Racing Welfare community engagement officer, the charity announced on Thursday. Haggins will focus on the thoroughbred stud and breeding sector to raise awareness of and increase access to the charity's services. He have almost 30 years of experience in the thoroughbred breeding industry, and managed Waddesdon Stud for the late Lady Rothschild. His role is part of a three-year project made possible by funding from the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust. Already, progress has been made in the project's first year, with a survey...

Proceeds from the 2024 Jess Clark Memorial Silks & Satins 5k Race will benefit the nonprofit Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, the group announced via presser Friday. Set to start and end at the Fasig-Tipton grounds Saturday, July 13, the race will run through the streets of Saratoga Springs, which will be closed to traffic for about an hour. Proceeds donated to the group will go toward their mission of retraining retired racehorses to aid in therapeutic work by way of contribution to mental health programs and providing support to individuals...

Santa Anita Park will host a charity poker tournament to benefit the 'Folds of Honor' Foundation following a special Memorial Day card at 6:30 p.m., the track said in a release. Folds of Honor provides financial assistance to better than one million dependents adversely affected by war. Players will make a charitable donation of $300 and will take part in a full night of No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em poker and will enjoy a day at the races in Santa Anita's Stretch Run Suites. Last year's event raised more than $35,000....

Old Friends, which will host its 19th Annual Homecoming Event on Sunday, May 5, has opened absentee bidding for a number of halters featured in a live and silent auction. Halters previously worn by Afleet Alex, Candy Ride (Arg), Channel Maker, Feathered, Gun Runner, I'll Have Another, Lava Man, Sea Hero, Serena's Song, Silver Charm, Silver State, Sky Mesa, and Tapit are available, with most accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. To bid, email your name, address, and phone number along with your highest bid to: horses@oldfriendsequine.org. The final deadline...

A portion of any purse money earned in the May 4 GI Kentucky Derby by Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), winner of the GI Blue Grass S. and expected to be one of the favorites for the American Classic, will benefit the Backside Learning Center (BLC)'s initiative "Purses for a Purpose." In addition, should the 'TDN Rising Star' win the Derby, co-owner Brook Smith has promised an additional $100,000 to the BLC. Smith, who recently joined the TDN Writers' Room, is a Louisville resident and long-time supporter of the BLC, which...

Horseshoe Indianapolis will distribute $32,815.10 to the Especially Kidz organization--which focuses on the care of physically challenged kids and young adults with 24-hour skilled nursing care--via funds from a special option utilized by guests on the casino floor, the track announced in a press release Monday. The NRT Technology kiosks provide an option for guests, when cashing out, to earmark any winnings to charity and Especially Kids was included as one of the recipients for the charitable giving option in 2023. A group of Horseshoe Indianapolis team members stopped by...

Sean Berns, Sarah Pepper and Larry Mulvany are the recipients of the Gerry Dilger Equine Foundation Kentucky Experience scholarship, which places the winners on Kentucky farms for a period of one year beginning in January 2024. Like the late and beloved Dilger, Berns graduated from the prestigious Irish National Stud and will be placed in Kentucky at Springhouse Farm. Though not originally from a horse background, Berns has studied equine business at Maynooth College and has worked at Derrinstown Stud and Coolmore in Ireland and at Newgate Stud in Australia....

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will host its second annual Holiday Giving Campaign beginning Nov. 28 and running through Dec. 31. The 2023 campaign, designed to increase awareness for accredited Thoroughbred aftercare and to raise funds for the accredited organizations responsible for ensuring a quality life for equine athletes after their racing careers, is set to follow the success of last year's inaugural campaign which raised over $180,000. "Our Thoroughbred horses provide us with so much, and each donation to the campaign goes a long way in supporting a network of...

This is the first in a new TDN series on people in the Thoroughbred industry who have a passion for a non-industry charity. Want to recommend someone for the series? Email katiepetrunyak@thetdn.com or suefinley@thetdn.com.  Dr. Scott Pierce has a lot to be proud of and even more to look forward to. The Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital partner and owner of Omega Farm is the breeder of MGISW Country Grammer (Tonalist), who is set to join the WinStar stallion roster this coming year. But if you caught Dr. Pierce bragging...

For the fourth consecutive year, Au-Dela Des Pistes hosted its fundraiser 'Arc Promise' during the weekend of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Supported by France Galop, the fundraising effort drew almost €45,000 in donations for Au-Delà Des Pistes, which finances the convalescence and retraining of retired racehorses, while seeking to promote the versatility of the Thoroughbred. The funds were generated by donations from the connections over Arc weekend, including Aga Khan Studs, Al Shaqab Racing, Godolphin, Wertheimer et Frère, Juddmonte, Arqana, Coolmore, l'Association des Entraineurs de Galop, Haras...

With October well-known as the month for Breast Cancer awareness, this year Arqana will partner with the François Baclesse Center, inviting all vendors/consigners to participate in a charitable challenge throughout the October Yearling Sale. Arqana will organize its own version of the 'Pink Walk' beginning Monday, Oct. 16 and continue through Friday, Oct. 20. A limited edition of the Arqana cap will also be available for purchase (boutique, customer service and restaurant) at the price of 15€. All proceeds will be donated to the François Baclesse Center. For more information,...