American Pharoah, one of the most famous horses in the world, is helping Thoroughbreds whose lives are spent far outside of the limelight, especially when their racing careers are over.
A halter worn by the 2015 Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup Classic winner headlines the upcoming silent auction raising money for the Iowa-based Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds (HART) aftercare organization.
The halter was donated by Kentucky's Ashford Stud, where American Pharoah has been a stallion since retiring after the unprecedented season that saw him not only become the first horse in 37 years to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes but to also capture the Breeders' Cup Classic.
“We're so grateful to Ashford Stud for donating this halter worn by one of the all-time greats,” said HART president Jon Moss. “This is a chance for a racing, horse or sports enthusiast to own this priceless memorabilia while helping horses that don't have a set future when they are through racing. HART finds safe, loving homes for our retired racehorses, preparing them for second careers in the show ring, eventing, trail riding or simply as pleasure or companion horses.”
An account with 32auctions is required for bidding. Auction items can be viewed in person July 3 starting at 3:30 p.m. CT in Prairie Meadows' Prairie Rose Room on the fourth floor in the Clubhouse.
To view items, create an online account or for more information, go to www.32auctions.com/hart2020.
Since 2011, HART has worked closely with the horsemen at Prairie Meadows to provide Thoroughbred horses a soft landing after their racing careers are over.
HART is accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and is a TAA grant recipient. Facilities and organizations that rehab, retrain and/or re-home horses receive support from the TAA after undergoing an arduous application process and are inspected annually to maintain accreditation. HART is Iowa's only TAA-approved organization.
HART's board includes a representative from the Iowa Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Associations, Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino and the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
“Our racehorses take care of us,” said Moss, who also is executive director of the Iowa HBPA. “All of us in racing owe it to take care of them when they are through racing. We thank Ashford Stud and American Pharoah for helping Iowa horsemen to do our part through HART. We also say thank you to all our contributors over the years without whose support HART would not continue to be the organization here to help horses find new homes.”
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