A four-time local riding champion who was instrumental in the opening of the New Vocations facility in Covington, Louisiana, Napravnik will join host Joe Kristufek on the live feed during the racing day to help build awareness, promote success stories, and inspire donations for Thoroughbred aftercare.

“I am thrilled to be part of our fourth annual New Vocation's Day at the Fair Grounds!” Napravnik said. “The event has been a huge help in spreading awareness to our local horseman as to how New Vocations is aiding the Louisiana racing community. We hope to continue to raise funds and awareness so that we can help more horsemen and more horses!”

Recognizing the need for expanded Thoroughbred aftercare in Louisiana, Napravnik reached out to New Vocations, the largest racehorse adoption program in the country, in the fall of 2019. Held for the first time at Fair Grounds in 2021, the “New Vocations Day at the Races” has raised over $12,500 in unique donations from fans and people within the industry, including horsemen, horse owners, and jockeys.

“Moving into our fifth year, our Louisiana facility continues to thrive, and our team has done a wonderful job with each horse that has entered the program,” New Vocations Thoroughbred Program Director Anna Ford said. “The continued support from the Louisiana HBPA has played a huge role in the facility's success. We are also seeing more and more local owners, breeders and trainers reach out to utilize our services as well as support our efforts. We are grateful to have the Fair Grounds hosting another New Vocations Day at the Races. We hope the event will continue to raise awareness about our Louisiana facility and the services we provide to the racing community.”

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“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 horses that are coming out of the $5,000 claiming races to horses racing at the highest stakes levels and everything in between.  We are very thankful for the continued support from the racing industry, including owners, trainers, breeders and fans, which provide us the necessary resources to fulfill our mission and reach as many horses as we can.”

With facilities in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida and Louisiana, the program received horses from 70 different racetracks which were then adopted out to homes in 36 different states last year.

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“CDI is pleased to jump start New Vocations' holiday giving campaign with a match donation. The work New Vocations does is vital to both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations for CDI. “On behalf of Thoroughbred tracks Churchill Downs Racetrack, Colonial Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds Race Course, Presque Isle Downs and Turfway Park and Standardbred tracks Miami Valley Gaming, Oak Grove Racing Gaming & Hotel and Ocean Downs Casino, thank you New Vocations for all that you do.”

New Vocations, which has already served 20% more horses in 2023 versus last year, relies heavily on donations to help rehab, retrain and rehome retired racehorses.

“We are very thankful for Churchill Downs Incorporated's generous match to support our Giving Tuesday campaign,” shared Anna Ford, New Vocations' Program Director. “We are happy to be able to provide our aftercare services to all of the CDI racetrack properties. The campaign will help us raise the much-needed funds to cover the increase in costs we have seen due to the influx of horses coming into the program this year.”

This year, the joy of giving is leveled up with an extra ounce of fun by featuring five unique Giving Challenges starting today. To ensure Giving Tuesday gifts are matched, and to participate in Giving Challenges, interested individuals are asked to donate by Nov. 28 at https://newvocations-givingtuesday.causevox.com/.

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Additional pledges are still coming in as of Monday and final donations are being tallied. Now in its 14th year, the Pledge has raised more than a million dollars, with 100 percent of funds going directly to support the program's rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming efforts, which serves more than 500 retired racehorses a year.

“I'm thrilled to support the Breeders' Cup Pledge as it's a great way to raise the much-needed awareness and funds for New Vocations and their aftercare efforts,” shared owner Mike Repole. I'm a strong advocate for ensuring my retired racehorses receive proper aftercare within my control whether it's to an adoption program or a retirement facility.  These amazing athletes mean so much to us and always deserve the best. We all need to do more, including me. Thoroughbred aftercare will be a major focus of my newly formed NTA.”

In addition to Repole Stable, winning connections include Coolmore and Partners (Unquestionable (FR) and Auguste Rodin (IRE)) and Team Hanley (Goodnight Olive). This year's pledge participants also included Jena Antonucci, Bob and Jill Baffert, Blue Rose Farm, Bradley Thoroughbreds, Peter M. Brant, Cheyenne Stables, D.J. Stable, eFive Racing Thoroughbreds, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Mark B. Grier, Graham Motion, Joe R. Peacock, Jr., Pin Oak Stud, Todd Pletcher, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, J. Kirk and Judy Robison, SF Racing, Siena Farm, Spendthrift Farm, Starlight Racing, Stonestreet Stables, Three Diamonds Farm, Wertheimer et Frere, West Point Thoroughbreds, Whisper Hill Farm and WinStar Farm.

“We feel very blessed to have 56 horses with pledging connections run during the two days of Championship races,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations Thoroughbred Program Director. “The funds raised are greatly needed as we have seen a 20% increase in the number of horses we have taken in compared to this time last year.”

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“We are so pleased to have the opportunity to partner with New Vocations. We are confident that the Fasig-Tipton Night of the Stars sale provides the best venue to promote our association with this wonderful organization,” D. J. Stable's general manager Jonathan Green said. “We are proud to pledge 1% of the sales proceeds from our two entries, champion and Grade I winner Wonder Wheel (hip 200) and Goddess Pele (hip 236), to the New Vocations' aftercare programs and hope other buyers and sellers follow our lead.”

Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning added, “We are pleased to work with DJ Stables and New Vocations on this initiative. Fasig-Tipton supports aftercare initiatives, including the TAA, New Vocations, Old Friends and many other organizations that do great work with our equine athletes. We hope many owners will join in pledging to support New Vocations in addition to the TAA sales program.”

New Vocations will continue to seek pledges until the start of the Nov. 7 sale. Those interested can visit https://new-vocations-night-of-the-stars-pledge.causevox.com/  and fill out the pledge form. Fasig-Tipton accounting will automatically deduct all pledges from the sale price. For any questions, contact anna@horseadoption.com.

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This is the 14th annual Breeders' Cup Pledge, in which connections of Breeders' Cup contenders are encouraged to earmark a percentage of their championship earnings to support the charity's mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired racehorses. To date, the initiative has raised over $1,090,000 in support.

“It's no secret how important it is to our team that we continue to properly transition Thoroughbreds to their next careers,” said Antonucci. “The tireless work New Vocations does is and always has been leading this sector of the industry. We are proud to pledge our support for their continued work and commitment to ensuring the best placement through their program.”

“We are thrilled to have Jena and Jon's support in helping us launch this year's Pledge,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations' Thoroughbred Program Director. “The last two years have been very challenging as the costs associated with caring for the horses and running the program continue to increase.  The Pledge offers an easy way for owners and trainers to give back to the horses and support their transition into new careers.”

Last year's pledge raised over $140,000, in which over 60 championship contenders had owners and/or trainers who pledged a percentage of their Breeders' Cup earnings. The total from a year ago was driven by a record nine horses with pledging connections–Caravel (Mizzen Mast), Flightline (Tapit), Forte (Violence), Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), Malathaat, Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), Tuesday (Galileo {Ire}), Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) and Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) –winning their races on Future Stars Friday and Championship Saturday.

New Vocations will continue to seek pledges from owners and trainers until Nov. 2. Click here for pledge information or by contact anna@horseadoption.com or carey@horseadoption.com.

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“We didn't even think that it would go beyond the first year,” Motion admitted. “The turnout we had was pretty incredible. I think everybody thoroughly enjoyed it. It's something very different. At a lot of fundraisers, you give the money but you don't get much in return. Whereas with this, people are putting on a big show.”

The Real Rider Cup was launched in 2017 with the goal of raising funds–and awareness–toward Thoroughbred aftercare. Racing personalities team up with an off-track Thoroughbred to complete a timed course of jumps. Each participant is required to raise a minimum of $1,000.

Between its Mid-Atlantic home base at Fair Hill and now its Lexington location, the Real Rider Cup has raised over $410,000 to support its three beneficiaries: the Retired Racehorse Project, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show.

“Every single penny goes towards promoting and helping with all the future fundraising for each of the recipients,” Motion explained. “The reach that these organizations have is huge and the more we can get this out about what we do with our retired racehorses, the better. It just goes to show what these horses can do after their racing career.”

The Real Rider Cup will return to Lexington this year on Saturday, July 8 at New Vocations ahead of the Fasig-Tipton July Sale. Motion is hoping for another big turnout.

“We had no idea what to expect last year and if we get half of what we got last year, we'll be doing very well,” she said.

Thatcher Street and Brian Hernandez Jr. claim the 2016 GIII River City H. | Coady

One of the horse-and-rider pairs that is sure to garner recognition from their time on the racetrack is Kara Lee and her mount Thatcher Street (Street Sense).

The duo first met when Lee began exercise riding for Ian Wilkes at Churchill Downs in 2014. While it took 13 tries over the course of two years for Thatcher Street to break his maiden, as an older horse he developed into a stakes-level turfer for owners Randy Bloch, Phil Milner, John Seiler and Fred Merritt. A stalwart of the Wilkes barn for several years, the gelding earned over $450,00 from 40 lifetime starts and took home stakes wins in the 2016 Opening Verse S. and the 2016 GIII River City H., also placing second in the 2015 River City and running third in the 2016 GII Wise Dan S.

Lee said that Thatcher Street was always a pleasure to work with and was a barn favorite.

“He was usually very good, but then a few days before race day he would get very tough,” she explained. “But at the same time, we used to pony on him at the track with horses that just needed a little bit of help. He was always very good with other horses, but he knew what his job was and he always showed up for race day.”

When it came time for the big bay to retire at the age of seven, he had a forever home with his exercise rider.

“He was the first stakes horse that I rode on the track, so he always had a special place in my heart,” Lee said. “When it came time for him to look for a new home, I just knew that I wasn't going to be able to give him up so he came home with me. He's earned it. He's been really good to me and I always have fun any time I'm on his back.”

Lee and 'Thatcher' completed the Retired Racehorse Project in 2019, coming in the top five of the Field Hunter division and earning top amateur honors. The following year, Thatcher Street made his Real Rider Cup debut when he teamed up with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who was one of his regular riders on the Kentucky circuit, for a virtual edition of the annual event (watch it here).

Private Island and his rider JayCee | Katie Petrunyak

After enjoying some 'R and R' for the past year, Lee and Thatcher Street are ready to get back into showing. Lee decided that the Real Rider Cup would be a fun way to dip their toes back into the water.

Since she first started in the industry a decade ago, Lee has steadily become more involved in the industry and has found a passion for developing and placing horses once their time on the track has ended. One of the many horses that Lee has secured a home for is Thatcher Street's half-brother Private Island (Bodemeister).

The 2018-foaled gelding also raced with Ian Wilkes, breaking his maiden at Kentucky Downs in 2020 and earning just under $100,000. Lee took on the gray when it was time for him to retire and soon found a home for him with 19-year-old JayCee Vanesky.

Private Island and Thatcher Street actually met during their racing years in the Wilkes barn. In fact, Thatcher Street helped pony Private Island when he was first learning the ropes of the racetrack. Now, the brothers often reunite for eventing lessons.

Thatcher Street ponied Private Island when he first arrived at the Ian Wilkes barn | courtesy Kara Lee

Lee said that the sibling pair and their personalities reflect most of the off-track Thoroughbreds that she works with.

“There aren't many other breeds of horses that are exposed to people cheering and yelling and umbrellas and strollers and just all the little stuff, so when they come off the track, they probably have one of the soundest brains that I've ever seen in a horse,” she said.

The Real Rider Cup is one opportunity to showcase the versatility, temperament and ability of retired racehorses like Thatcher Street.

Many racing celebrities, both human and equine, have participated over the years, from this year's Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Jena Antonucci to retired jockey Aaron Gryder and Zenyatta's son Cozmic One (Bernardini). The later two will both be making repeat appearances on July 8 in Lexington.

The event is free to attend and the first rider will take to the course at 7 p.m. Food trucks, a cash bar and live music will all be on-site. Attendees can RSVP here. Supporters can also donate to their favorite horse-and-rider teams to help them meet and exceed their $1,000 goal here.

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Held at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, SC, New Vocations' 20th Annual show brought together over 150 retired Thoroughbred racehorses from nine states featuring a variety of classes including dressage, hunter, jumper, in-hand, western and pleasure. To view several of the show highlights, click here.

“I'll never forget our first show two decades ago, which was the first of its kind. It's been wonderful to see the event grow and play a large role in our efforts to spotlight the Thoroughbred's versatility while raising much needed funds for our program,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations Thoroughbred Program Director. “We are very grateful for the continued support from our sponsors, many of which are Thoroughbred owners, breeders and industry organizations. It is through their support that we are able to put on such a first class show year after year.”

Dates and additional details for the 2024 All-Thoroughbred Horse Show will be available at www.newvocations.org/events and on New Vocations' social media channels as they become available.

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Green graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Biology. She was a trustee of the Leonard and Lois Green Charitable Foundation.

“Lois was an avid reader of the TDN and was a truly involved horse person,” said Len Green in an email. “Her specialty was the vet work and breeding. She was manager of DJ Stable in the early years. Under her leadership we won two Parx ownership awards and are in their Hall of Fame.”

Wonder Wheel | Coady

Fifteen hundred of the stable's now 2,500 wins came under Lois Green's management, along with seven leading owner titles at different tracks, and the stable's first Grade I winner, Do It With Style, purchased by her son, Jon, for $23,000 at Fasig-Tipton. Len Green had told him he could go to $20,000, and told him to resell the horse; Lois vetoed that decision, and they kept the filly, who went on to win the Ashland at Keeneland.

Green was a certified genius, said Jon, and a MENSA member with an IQ of over 160. She completed a certification course at Cornell on how to assist mares with foaling, learned to fly an airplane, and could fix anything mechanical, he said.

“She was a strong advocate for safety and fair play,” said Len Green. “She named (two-year-old champion filly) Wonder Wheel after her favorite Coney Island ride. She was a credit to the game and will sorely be missed by all who knew her.”

Upon being named TOBA Owner of the Month in November, 2019, Lois was asked about the dynamics of operating a family stable. “Well, fortunately, we've learned how to discuss without arguing and come to conclusions that are the best for the horses and for each other,” she said at the time. “And obviously we don't always agree on everything, but having great trainers to work with and good therapists helps,” she said with a laugh. “Family businesses are always interesting.”

DJ Stables' longtime trainer, Mark Casse, was shaken by the news.

“Tina and I are heartbroken,” he said. “She was just the epitome of class and a lovely, lovely lady. Jon is obviously very involved in racing, as is Len, but I don't think a lot of people realized how much she loved horse racing. After we would win a big race–or any type of race, really–she would call me and we would go over the race in detail. I'm going to miss those calls. I'm crushed. I just wish we could have won the (Kentucky) Oaks this year for her. It's tough.”

Lois Green and Mark Casse | courtesy of the Green Group

Len and Lois Green were married for over 60 years.

She is survived by her children, Jon, the general manager of DJ Stables and his wife Michelle, her daughter Beth, her daughter Debbie and her husband Marty, and grandchildren Carly, Griffin, Robin, Wyatt and Kenny, as well as “adopted family members” Aron Yagoda and Karlene Bauer.

Services will be held Friday, June 2, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Congregation B'nai Israel, 171 Ridge Road, Rumson, NJ.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution in her name should do so to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, or to the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy.

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The Real Rider Cup offers two legs of competition, the first leg at Mereworth Farm in Lexington, KY, on Jul. 8 and the second durin the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show in Elkton, MD, on Sep. 15. Riders will compete both individually and as part of a team formed to represent a particular farm, stable, organization or branch of the industry. All riders pledge to raise a minimum of $1,000, either through donations or sponsorships. Participation will be capped at 30 riders per event.

Each rider will navigate a 2'6″ jumps course at either location, or they can choose to compete at both. The leading riders from each leg will compete head-to-head in a virtual event with online voting to determine the Real Rider Cup Champion. Awards will also be given for top teams and top fund raisers at each leg.

“We are incredibly grateful to all the participants, volunteers and those that have donated and sponsored over the last five years,” Real Rider Cup founder Anita Motion said. “After our record-breaking Real Rider Cup in 2022, we're looking forward to another year of fun competition and fund raising for Thoroughbred aftercare.”

For more information or to register, visit the Real Rider Cup website.

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