Every year when we gear up for the Breeders’ Cup, I always enjoy examining the pedigrees of the contenders. From the blue bloods destined for greatness from birth, to the discount stallions out of otherwise unremarkable mares, we see it all over those two days of racing.
Tag: aftercare
Unreachable Star Connections Donate To Friends Of Ferdinand On Indiana Champions Day
Unreachable Star was one of the first modern day superstars in the Indiana breeding program. The one-time leader in the state for most purse earnings accumulated during his racing campaign, the now 16-year-old is remembered with a new stakes race in his honor, the $100,000 Unreachable Star Stakes as part of the newly formed Indiana Champions Day, placing the spotlight on the Indiana breeding and racing program.
In honor of the veteran racehorse, who was the first to eclipse $700,000 in purse earnings in the state of Indiana, Unreachable Star's connections made a $500 donation to Friends of Ferdinand during Indiana Champions Day Wednesday, Oct. 28. The donation will assist the local organization with racehorse aftercare programs.
“This is absolutely a full circle moment for us to have a race named in his honor,” said Loren Hebel-Osborne, one of the owners of Unreachable Star. “If he could be here, he would be eating a watermelon and hamming it up and loving it. I hope this donation brings awareness to all horses that are warriors like him, and we hope people will give them a chance after racing for a second career.”
Unreachable Star was retired in 2015 with a total of $784,595 in career earnings and earned four consecutive year-end honors in Indiana as one of the state's top performers. He was the on-site horse at the Churchill Downs Museum and is now enjoying a new career in the hunter-jumper show ring.
“When he started his career in 2007, the purses and the stakes weren't as high as what they are today, so he would have been pretty close to becoming the state' first horse to earn $1 million if he had raced now,” said Tim Glyshaw, trainer of Unreachable Star during his entire career. “He was a barn pet and we kept him at Churchill Downs the whole time. After every race, he'd get a watermelon. He loved watermelon. You could do anything with him. He was just a really cool horse.”
Bruce Murphy, president of the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (ITOBA) provided the winner's circle presentation for the donation.
“We are honored to have owners Dave and Loren Osborne and Chuck Bebber here today for the inaugural Unreachable Star Stakes,” said Murphy. “We are very proud to be able to offer a stakes race in his honor, and this is a very nice donation on behalf of his connections.”
Racing continues Monday through Thursday until Thursday, Nov. 19. All-Quarter Horse racing is set for Saturday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 24. For more information, go to www.indianagrand.com.
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Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Launches 2020 Hay Drive With $60,000 Matching Gift
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has received a $60,000 matching gift from the Santulli Family Foundation to launch the 2020 Hay Drive challenge–Hay, Oats and Water. The Santulli's will match every dollar donated to the TRF up to $60,000 for this campaign. The TRF's goal for the 2020 Hay Drive is $120,000 to cover the cost of hay for the hundreds of former racehorses currently in their care.
The TRF Hay Drive is one of the most important campaigns for the organization, now in its 37th year of providing sanctuary, retirement and second chances for Thoroughbreds no longer able to compete on the racetrack. The campaign will be conducted by direct mail, email and social media as well as one-on-one donation requests.
“Hay is one of our largest horse care expenses and the most important element of a horse's diet, particularly in the winter.” says Jennifer Stevens, Director of Development at the TRF.
Last year, with the help of the Santulli Family Foundation, the TRF had its most successful Hay Drive to date and the organization is hopeful that this year's response will equal or surpass last year's campaign.
“The Santulli's are longtime supporters of the TRF having funded several areas of need for the organization throughout the years. We are immensely grateful for their contributions to the TRF and the Thoroughbred aftercare effort.” said Patricia Stickney, TRF Executive Director. “Their generous gift will not only help our horses but inspire others to do the same.”
To give to the Hay Drive please visit the TRF giving page here: https://www.trfinc.org/haydrive/
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Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: A Look Back and a Love Story
Maintaining Magoo’s eligibility for the 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover through the fall is turning out to be a little harder than I had expected — we cannot go over 15 retraining rides prior to Dec. 1. With him feeling his best again, he continually reminds me how trainable he is, and I am getting extremely excited to get him started on the path to his second career. Thankfully, fall in the Central Kentucky Thoroughbred industry is busy. While at the sales, I have been having fun keeping an eye on Magoo’s former competition. A Look Back
