Thoroughbred retirement

Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, has welcomed Oct. 30 MSW Noble Drama (Gone Astray), according to a press release early Friday. The 9-year old dark bay gelding arrived at the farm courtesy of his owner and trainer, David Fawkes. Noble Drama earned his ticket to Old Friends when he won the 2018 FTBOA Silver Charm Florida Sire Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, which had been designated as a "retirement for life" at Old Friends race. "From the day we presented Noble Drama with his Old Friends for...

Entries are now being taken for Mareworthy Charities 2024 Mareworthy Stakes, an annual calendar photo contest. Current and former owners of registered Thoroughbred mares are invited to enter for a chance to win prizes, showcase their mares, and support a broodmare retirement charity. Entries close Sept. 6. More information can be obtained at www.mareworthy.com/stakes. Points for the contest are accrued over two rounds. Round one of the contest, which runs from Sept. 7-20, focuses on public votes and activities. The top 20 entrants from round one will move on to...

For Andrea Cerofolini, the love of the horse was ignited later in life. But his passion for the Thoroughbred has taken center stage over the past decade, highlighted by an ever-deepening involvement with off-the-track race horses. "When I'm on a Thoroughbred, I feel like I am flying on a cloud," Cerofolini said. "I just don't feel that way on other types of horses. It's just magical." Through his connection with the Thoroughbred, Cerofolini became involved with TAKE2, a non-profit committed to promoting and developing second careers for racehorses following their...

Dual Classic winner and champion 3-year-old colt I'll Have Another (Flower Alley) has been donated to Old Friends by owner Paul Reddam. The 14-year-old former stallion arrived to the Thoroughbred retirement farm Wednesday. "Welcoming I'll Have Another is an auspicious and historic moment for Old Friends," said John Nicholson, president and CEO of Old Friends. "We are deeply grateful to Paul Reddam and Doug O'Neill for choosing Old Friends to care for this great champion and to celebrate his magnificent legacy with thousands of our annual visitors. Being able to...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has been named the official charity partner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's National Horseplayers Championship, which will take place at the Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Mar. 14-17. Throughout the weekend, TAA will have a booth set up where horseplayers are encouraged to stop by and learn more about accredited aftercare. Branded merchandise will be available in exchange for a donation and there will be an opportunity to donate and enter for a chance to win various prizes. Winning prizes include a table for...

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, whose mission is to rehab, retrain and rehome retired Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, saw 478 horses go through its program in 2023, with 143 horses remaining in the program at the end of the year--a 15% increase from 2022. "I'm very proud of the New Vocations team as they have done a phenomenal job providing much needed aftercare services to a huge number of horses with diverse backgrounds that come from various tracks around the country," said New Vocation's Thoroughbred Program Director Anna Ford. "We serve...

Maggie Sweet has been named the new chief operating officer of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), the Saratoga-based operation announced Monday. "We are thrilled to welcome Maggie Sweet to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation as our new Chief Operating Officer," said Patrick H. Mackay, Chairman of the Board of Directors at TRF. "Maggie's desire to support equine welfare, coupled with her extensive leadership experience, will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and growth of our organization. Her skills and enthusiasm align seamlessly with our commitment to providing a dignified retirement for...

In advance of Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has launched a special campaign called the Farrier Fund Campaign. The Farrier Fund Campaign, themed 'The Hoof Makes the Horse', is aiming to raise $25,000 this year. The fund will contribute directly to covering the costs of roughly three months of essential hoof care for over 1,600 horses within the TRF's herd. The Farrier Fund Campaign also aims to shine a light on the unsung heroes in equine care--the farriers, dedicated equine professionals who work tirelessly to tend...

Highlighted by a special check presentation in the winner's circle, the leadership of Keeneland recognized October 20th as "TRF Cheers to 40 Years" Day at Keeneland in celebration of the Foundation's four decades of commitment to the welfare and retirement of Thoroughbred racehorses. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has been a pioneer in aftercare for retired racehorses since its founding in 1983. Joined by TRF Board Member Katie LaMonica and Warden Abby Caudill of Blackburn Correctional Complex, the Keeneland team presented the TRF with a donation of $4,000 toward the...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) had a successful week in Maryland during Preakness celebrations with several on-site events, the organization said in a release Wednesday. With over 160 in attendance, the America's Best Racing Pre-Preakness Party to benefit the TAA kicked off the week at Mt. Washington Tavern. A total of $25,000 was raised from a silent auction, ticket sales and donations. "It was an absolute honor to once again partner with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on what has turned into a must-attend event on the racing calendar every year,"...

Edited Press Release A horse ownership stake with Skychai Racing, an outdoor cigar lounge and multiple ready-for-Instagram backgrounds are just a few of the new features added this year to Second Stride's 12th annual Derby week Champions Night at Molly Malone's in the Highlands section of Louisville Monday, May 1 from 6-9 pm. Of all fundraisers taking place Derby week, it is the only event raising money for the horses, enabling the Louisville-based organization to continue to provide professional rehabilitation, retraining and placement of retired thoroughbred racehorses.  Placing over 100...

John Evans didn't know what to expect when he agreed to go to work for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) as the equine program director at its farm at the Lowell Correctional Institute for Women in Ocala. He had been a steward, a trainer and a farm manager for Bridlewood Farm and Stoneway Farm, so, at the very least, this would be something different. Perhaps, maybe, less interesting, less rewarding. But a friend, the late Dick Hancock, longtime executive vice president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, talked...