aftercare | Horse Racing Free Tips

We Are Here Initiative Disperses Excess Resources To Secretariat Center, Aftercare Organizations

The We Are Here Initiative (WAHI), which began from discussions with the Secretariat Center Board of Directors, was established to assist the expected curve of Thoroughbred race horses needing aftercare homes brought on by the sustained track closures during COVID-19.

In 2020, WAHI helped move several horses from tracks in WV, NY, PA, and LA to various aftercare organizations in order to facilitate both their new careers, as well as assisting the Owners and Trainers who were adversely affected by COVID-19.

Our efforts have proven the necessity to provide a streamlined way for those in need to transition their horses into second careers through aftercare organizations. We want to pass on a sincere thank you for all of those who stepped forward for these horses, and their connections. While WAHI never had to move a horse through the KY Horse Park, our partners were always ready if needed.

In the end the unmanageable surge we were concerned would overwhelm local aftercare organizations did not happen, which is the best of news. As we disperse the WAHI resources, we are proud that we are able divide the remaining funds donated to WAHI to these wonderful organizations: The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, the Secretariat Center, the Thoroughbred Charities of America, and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

WAHI, and the effort of everyone who put it together in record time, was one of the bright spots in a year full of difficult news and uncertainty. Because of the work of many, we were there for the horses.

The Secretariat Center was founded in 2004 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization to prepare off-track Thoroughbreds for happy, healthy, and successful post-track careers through rehabilitation and by giving them a broad-based foundation of skills to ensure a harmonious match with their adopters. While advocating for the athleticism and versatility of the American Thoroughbred, The Secretariat Center also seeks to provide educational opportunities for human development through horsemanship. Located in the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, the Secretariat Center showcases adoptable Thoroughbreds and uses its illustrious location to herald the athleticism of this amazing breed by teaching new skill sets to horses of all levels of ability. Visit www.secretariatcenter.org to find your next partner, make a donation or get involved today.

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‘Cake’ Proves Too Tempting To Resist For After The Races Volunteer

When it comes to volunteering at a Thoroughbred adoption nonprofit, the ultimate reward for volunteers can be spending time with the four-legged creatures in their care.

Before stepping foot on the grounds of TAA-accredited After the Races, volunteer Susan Miller repeatedly told herself that taking a horse home was out of the question. The time spent around the horses would be enough of a prize for her hard work.

That mantra didn't last long as she immediately fell in love with a bay filly, named The Cake Is a Lie, who was rehabbing an injury.

“My first day there I fell head over heels for this filly, despite having told myself I was not under any circumstances taking a horse home,” Miller said. “'Cake' was rehabbing a bowed tendon, so there wasn't much interest in her.

The New York-bred daughter of Sir Whimsey found the winner's circle four times in 13 starts. She was injured and vanned off in her last start, which took place in August of 2018 at Monmouth Park.

“She stayed at After The Races, and I kept volunteering there, loving on her as much as I could, and daydreaming about adopting her,” Miller said.

After months of volunteering and growing closer to Cake, Miller and her husband were on the move to Kentucky after her husband accepted a new job. Not wanting to leave her friend behind, she adopted Cake to bring along for the journey.

“I kept telling myself, 'She's just a gangly bay filly, nothing special,' but it didn't work,” Miller said. “There's just something special about her and we clicked. She's wonderful. She lives at my house with my other Thoroughbred.

“Her bowed tendon healed nicely, she's grown and filled out into a huge, strong, shiny beauty,” she added. “Most importantly, her personality has really blossomed. She is quirky and intense but also fun, sweet, and caring.”

Now that the rehab is finished, Cake and Miller are taking it one day at a time with retraining, as they focus on lower-level dressage, trail riding, and learning a few tricks.

“She is the first OTTB I've retrained by myself and she is teaching me so much and becoming a really fun horse to ride,” Miller said. “My biggest goal is just for her to be happy and healthy and enjoy our time together.

“She's already worked hard and given a lot for people, and I value her comfort and the relationship I have with her more than riding achievements.”

While Miller says she'd love to eventually dabble in eventing or fox hunting if it's in Cake's wheelhouse, she's just incredibly thankful for the organization that allowed her to find her perfect equine partner.

“I am so incredibly grateful for this horse and to After The Races for all the fantastic work they do on behalf of OTTBs,” she said.

Read more at Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

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Retired Thoroughbreds Present Colors on Pegasus World Cup Day

Retired Thoroughbreds Tizrobertcharles (Bwana Charlie) and Guidoinaspeedo (Meadow Monster), both members of the Davie Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit, and Rockaway, a member of the City of Coral Gables mounted unit, will help present the colors before the playing of the National Anthem on Pegasus World Cup Day Saturday.

“Gulfstream Park focuses on racehorse aftercare to provide one time competitors a meaningful second career,” said Mike Lakow, Vice President of Racing at Gulfstream Park. “We welcome these athletes back to the track alongside local equestrian law enforcement. The Stronach Group supports accredited programs so these horses can be retrained, re-homed and retired to caring homes.”

Tizrobertcharles, retrained at the Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care (TRAC), was adopted by the Davie unit by former trainer and facility manager/supervisor Gary Cortolillo. An 11-year-old who won his seventh and final start, Tizrobertcharles patrols the town daily and has attended several special events. Officer Mark Groeneveld, 'Charlie's' partner, has been an officer for 21 years and joined the mounted unit in 2019.

“What makes OTTBs so incredibly special in my eyes is their impeccable work ethic and desire to please,” said Katie Schmit, farm manager and trainer at TRAC. “They are meticulously bred to win and thus have an inherent need to feel successful. The exposure they receive at such a young age gives them a huge step up when their racing careers are over.”

Guidoinaspeedo, a 9-year-old, also won once in seven starts while racing in the Mid-Atlantic. 'Buddy,' as he's affectionately called, has been with the mounted unit since 2015. Officer Richard Spradling, 'Buddy's' partner, has been an officer since 2007 and joined the mounted unit in 2019. Rockaway, who raced 10 times in South Florida, is the first documented police horse in Coral Gables in nearly 90 years. Rockaway served as a flag horse at Bergeron Rodeo. His partner is Officer Ashley Sheran.

Saturday's Pegasus World Cup Day card is highlighted by the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational and $1-million GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Championship Invitational.

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Thoroughbred Incentive Program Announces 2021 Schedule Of Shows, Awards, Youth Ambassadors

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) announced Tuesday that it has approved more than 7,000 awards and classes at more than 1,500 shows in 42 states, Puerto Rico, and six Canadian provinces in 2021.

Awards are available for multiple disciplines, including eventing, dressage, Western and English pleasure, hunter/jumper, endurance, Western performance, games, and polocrosse. Awards are again available at some events for Thoroughbreds within their first two years of showing or for Thoroughbreds within two years of their last start.

A full calendar of shows offering awards is available at tjctip.com/CalendarOfEvents.

“This year marks the 10^th year in which T.I.P. is offering awards, and we are proud of the success of this initiative in promoting the versatility of the Thoroughbred,” said Kristin Werner, senior counsel for The Jockey Club and administrator of T.I.P. “Through 2020, there have been more than 6,500 shows that have offered T.I.P. awards, more than 30,000 T.I.P. numbers that have been assigned, and more than 60,000 award entries submitted for horses. We look forward to adding to these totals in 2021 and continuing to demonstrate to the equestrian community the talents of Thoroughbreds in a range of disciplines.”

In addition, T.I.P. will be offering year-end or championship awards in association with the American Endurance Ride Conference; Equine Trail Sports; United States Eventing Association; United States Pony Club; and United States Dressage Federation. Furthermore, T.I.P. will offer awards at selected polo tournaments in conjunction with the United States Polo Association.

T.I.P. also announced its youth ambassadors for the 2021 T.I.P. Youth Ambassador Program. The 16 ambassadors, including four returning ambassadors from 2020, come from 12 states and cover multiple disciplines. The following are the 2021 T.I.P. youth ambassadors:

Grace Baierl – Pennsylvania
Kaylynn Berry – Kentucky
Emily Cantler – Maryland
Gabriellia Chevalier – Connecticut
Lottie Crawford – Virginia (returning)
Megan Farnsworth – Washington (returning)
Julia House – Maine (returning)
Victoria Navarrete – Virginia
Alexis Novak – Washington
Jenna Presley – Indiana
Grace Regan – South Carolina
Victoria Reinholdt – Florida
Olive Scaff – New Jersey
Emma Scheier – New Jersey (returning)
Remington Sharp – Virginia
Sabrina Wood – Texas

Additional information about the Youth Ambassador Program is available at tjctip.com/About/TBYPAM.

Created and announced in October 2011, T.I.P. recognizes and rewards the versatility of the Thoroughbred through sponsorship of Thoroughbred classes and high point awards at sanctioned horse shows, performance awards, and non-competition awards. In addition to the complete schedule of T.I.P.-sponsored shows, other information about the program is available on the T.I.P. website, tjctip.com. Those interested in T.I.P. can follow the program at facebook.com/tjctip.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. It founded America's Best Racing (americasbestracing.net), the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing, and in partnership with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, operates OwnerView (ownerview.com), the ownership resource. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

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