Earle Mack Continues Aid in Ukraine

Operation Heat Ukraine, a humanitarian effort begun by owner/breeder Earle I. Mack, who is also the former Ambassador to Finland, and former New York Governor George E. Pataki, will undertake a fourth mission to Ukraine. Mack and Pataki have already donated and delivered nearly 1,000 industrial and residential heaters benefitting over one million Ukrainian civilians. Operation Heat Ukraine is a non-profit focused on helping those suffering due to the continued Russian attacks.

“As we reach the one-year mark of the war in Ukraine, it has never been more important to bring awareness to the struggles of innocent civilians,” said Mack. “We hope that, through our support, some of the basic needs of Ukrainian civilians will be met and urge anyone who can help to get involved.”

Long known for his philanthropy, including founding The Man O' War Project which helps military veterans through the use of retired racehorses, Mack was honored with an Eclipse Award of Merit last year. With Operation Heat Ukraine, Mack has been raising awareness in support of Ukraine's civilians and has traveled to Ukraine a number of times to disperse millions of dollars' worth of heaters and generators for homes, hospitals, schools, and refugee centers.

For more information or to donate, visit heatukraine.org.

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Racing At Chester Ended After Four Races Due to Unsafe Ground

Saturday's card at Chester was abandoned after four races due to safety concerns entering the final bend. Humanitarian (Noble Mission {GB}), with Luke Cotton aboard, slipped on that turn during the meet's fourth race, the ICM Stellar Sport H. An inspection with course officials and jockeys was subsequently conducted, and the meeting was called due to unsafe ground. Chester joins Haydock and Beverley as the third track that was abandoned mid-card in the UK in the past four days, with those courses cancelling on Friday and Wednesday, respectively.

Clerk of the Course Andrew Tulloch said, “It is deeply disappointing for all of us here, but the welfare of both horses and riders is paramount.

“The stewards followed the procedures in such instances, when they take a delegation of jockeys and trainers to inspect. They looked at the bend coming into the home straight, what we call the castle bend, and in the 3.45 there was a horse at the back of the field that sadly did lose his footing and that was the reason for the inspection.

“The stewards then heard from the jockeys and trainers and ourselves and their conclusion was that unfortunately we should abandon racing.

“We will go away, look at all the evidence and see if there is anything we can do to improve because none of us wants to see what has happened.

“It's really difficult, because plenty of jockeys came up to me and said it is beautiful ground, quite possibly the best ground we've raced on this season and then unfortunately you have an incident like this.”

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Earle Mack Honored with KTOB’s William T. Young Humanitarian Award

Owner, breeder, humanitarian, and philanthropist Earle Mack was bestowed with the William T. Young Humanitarian Award by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders (KTOB) Wednesday morning. The former U.S. Ambassador, who has been breeding and racing Thoroughbreds for nearly six decades and has had 25 black-type winners, including Canadian Triple Crown winner Peteski (Affirmed) and U.S. MGISW November Snow (Storm Cat), is well known for his humanitarian work, both in the industry and in the greater world. A long-time supporter of numerous equine charities and a strong proponent of Thoroughbred aftercare, Mack also founded the Man O' War Project, which studies and uses equine-assisted therapy for veterans suffering from PTSD. Last month, he led a delegation to help Ukranian refugees on the border with Hungary.

The William T. Young Humanitarian Award was established by the KTOB in 2003 and honors a person who positively affects people in the Thoroughbred industry, as well as throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is voted on by the KTOB's Board of Directors and recognizes someone associated with the racing industry who “promotes the human endeavor,” according to KTOB's website.

In his acceptance speech, Mack commented on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), called for an industry change from dirt to cushion surfaces, and stressed the need to protect racehorses.

“I would like to comment on the state of our industry and our continued mission to address the health, safety, and welfare of our beloved Thoroughbreds,” said Mack. “Everyone in this room prizes and loves the Thoroughbreds for their hearts, their athleticism, and their beautiful extensions, which touch our very souls. Let's protect them for all they give to us and all they mean to us. Recently we've made enormous strides towards ensuring the integrity of our industry through the passage of HISA. It took almost 10 years–from conception to passage–which, as you all know, was a major undertaking. But even with the safeguard of HISA, there is more work to be done to satisfy public opinion, our industry, and ourselves that we are doing everything possible to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our equine athletes.

“It's no secret that organizations like PETA and other animal welfare groups would like nothing better than to shut down horseracing as a sport and they've come damn close in California! These groups are fueled by injuries, breakdowns, and mortalities at our racetracks. Knowing this, we need to do everything we can to have the safest racing surfaces in the world. I would like to put forth the bold and necessary challenge to our industry to transition our dirt surfaces to cushion surfaces within the next 7-10 years. We have the technology and the brightest minds in the business to accomplish this.

“Such a measure would cut racetrack injuries in half and could very well ensure our future and our long-term sustainability.”

Mack is an Army veteran who, in addition to his racing and military achievements, has a long list of accomplishments in business, government, and the arts. He has long advocated for the safety and wellness of Thoroughbreds. In February, Mack was awarded the Eclipse Award of Merit in recognition for a lifetime of outstanding achievement.

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