retired racehorses

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program celebrated a successful Giving Tuesday, raising over $40,000 for their mission to rehab, retrain, and rehome retired racehorses. Churchill Downs Incorporated, alongside their nine racetrack properties, pledged to match the first $20,000 raised by New Vocations in support of both Thoroughbred and Standardbred aftercare. Over 100 supporters in the equestrian and racing communities rallied together in support of New Vocations' aftercare program. "It was really great to see support come in from so many of our adopters and supporters along with many new contributors via...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present at this year's Maryland Million Day at Laurel Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, the equine advocate said in a release Thursday afternoon. On a day designed to promote and celebrate Maryland breeding and racing, the TAA will be recognized, along with Maryland Jockey Club, with a named race. Following the running of the Maryland Jockey Club S., a presentation will be made to the winning connections including a branded Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance blanket and swag bag. "The Maryland Jockey Club is honored to...

Out of the 404 entrants, the leading earner in this week's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by the Thoroughbred Charities of America, at the Kentucky Horse Park is GISW Arklow (Arch). After being gelded once his racing career ended last year at this time, the former Brad Cox trainee with a $3,025,996 in earnings over a seven-year career for Donegal Racing will be ridden in the event by Gina Gans in the field hunting division. The 9-year-old will jump obstacles at the Horse Park's grass steeplechase course. Recently retired...

Hope After Service, a new organization pairing retired racehorses with veterans with PTSD, as well as with autistic children, has been formed in Shawnee, Ok. Founded by disabled veterans Ashton Strader, Robert Whitlow, and Craig Whitlow, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit's mission is "bringing hope, healing, and renewal to veterans, retired racehorses, and communities nationwide." The founders have backgrounds in racing and plan to select retired racehorses to undergo retraining as trusted companions and therapists, offering solace and healing to those in need. Horses in the program not suitable for this work...

Old Friends Farm will hold its Fall Fundraiser on Monday, Oct. 16, the Thoroughbred retirement home said in a release Thursday morning. Before the fundraiser, at 11:30 a.m. (ET) the farm will pay tribute to MGSW Timely Writer, who lost his life in a breakdown at Belmont Park in 1982. Due to construction of a new synthetic track in Elmont, his grave has been exhumed and his remains will now be reinterred at the Nikki Bacharach Memorial Cemetery at Old Friends. There is no cost to attend the service. Gates...

On an impossibly sunny day in October 2022, I found myself at L&D Stables in Nicholasville, Kentucky, looking at a very handsome chestnut gelding for my first OTTB restart project. Despite his flashy presence, my eye kept drifting to a small herd of mares in a nearby paddock. I made my way to the fence line and was met immediately by a pair of kind eyes and an inquisitive pink nose, searching for my face and neck. Sixty seconds later that nose was gently resting on my shoulder. I was...

As part of the Cole's Community Table Series, Coles 735 Main in Lexington, Kentucky will donate a portion of all proceeds from guests' purchases on August 23 directly to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), that organization said in a release Wednesday afternoon. The series aims to support local nonprofits within the Bluegrass community, fostering a spirit of giving back and strengthening community bonds. "Starting off the series with an organization like Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a natural fit, as their work and mission are an integral part of what makes the...

The California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) annual online fundraiser, CARMAthon, will take place live on FanDuel TV and TVG on Saturday, Aug. 26 from Del Mar, the organization said in a release Wednesday. CARMAthon aims to raise $150,000 to support retired racehorses and fund essential aftercare programs. Proceeds will directly benefit their grant program, which supports over 20 Thoroughbred aftercare charities. "Once again, FanDuel TV and the FanDuel Group are proud to partner with the California Retirement Management Account, to be contributors, and to be the broadcast home for this...

Some wear their philanthropic largesse as visibly as the Great Wall of China from outer space. Others prefer a more discreet badge. "I only found out about this three days ago," said Lucinda Lovitt early Tuesday morning. Lovitt is the executive director of the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), the non-profit founded 15 years ago to raise money for the state's fleet of retired racehorses. Lovitt's weekend discovery? That CARMA was one of a handful of racehorse rehoming and animal rescue organizations bequeathed--and bequeathed without their prior knowledge--a sizeable sum...

The Secretariat Center will host "Movie Night Under the Stars," featuring the movie Dreamer Oct. 1. The event opens at 6 p.m. with the movie starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 a person and are on sale at www.secretariatcenter.org. There will be food available for purchase from Salsarita's, Mr. Gyro, and Mister Softee Ice Cream and beverages from Blue Stallion Brewery. They will have a Keeneland Kid Zone, mini ponies, a Lexington FD fire truck and horse jumps for kids. Popcorn is free and there will be special giveaways...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today that Erin O'Keefe has been hired for the new position of development director. O'Keefe brings a decade of experience in many facets of the Thoroughbred industry from breeding to sales to racing. As development director, O'Keefe will be responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive development plan, activating opportunities for racing outreach, and supporting the executive director to maximize opportunities for speaking engagements and media representation. "Erin's diverse background in the racing industry coupled with her hands-on experience in aftercare gives her a...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has accepted 482 trainers, including both individuals and team members, to the 2022 class of the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA). The Makeover returns to its single-year format in 2022 after the postponement of the 2020 event led to a "double" Makeover in 2021, with two competition years running simultaneously. The 2022 Makeover will take place Oct. 12-15, 2022 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Open to professionals, juniors, amateurs, and teams, the Thoroughbred Makeover is a...