Breeders’ Cup contenders pledge winnings to New Vocations’ aftercare efforts

A number of owners and trainers will be supporting New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program by pledging a percentage of their 2016 Breeders’ Cup World Championship purse earnings to New Vocations, which rehabilitates, retrain, and rehomes retired racehorses. This will be the seventh year owners and trainers have donated a percentage of their Breeders’ Cup purse earnings, and so far from such efforts more than $380,000 has been raised, with 100 percent of funds raised supporting the program’s aftercare efforts.

"WinStar Farm is happy to participate in the pledge again this year,” said Elliott Walden, president and CEO of WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky. “We've worked with New Vocations for a while now because they believe in ensuring the top care and opportunities for a racehorse to have a second career. Aftercare is a very important topic, and I hope more owners and trainers will consider making a pledge."

To date, 42 championship contenders have owners and/or trainers supporting this year’s pledge. The list includes Good Samaritan, owned by China Horse Club, SF Bloodstock, and WinStar Farm, and the amazing comeback mare Lady Eli, who is owned by Head of Plains.

Additional owners and trainers taking part in the pledge are Al Shaqab Racing, Bob Baffert, Gary Barber, Donegal Racing, Michael Dubb, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Jay Em Ess Stable, Klaravich Stables, Sol Kumin, Let's Go Stable, LNJ Foxwoods, Thomas Morley, Graham Motion, Doug O'Neill, Todd Pletcher, Joe Sharp, R.A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbreds Racing, Kathy Ritvo, Sheep Pond Partners, David Simon, Stonestreet Stables, Treadway Racing Stable, Jan Vandebos-Naify, Adam Wachtel, Dave Weaver, and West Point Thoroughbreds.

“We are truly blessed to have such a great list of owners and trainers who understand the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations program director. “Funds raised through the pledge are vital as the number of horses needing our services continues to grow. The more money we raise, the more horses we can serve. The pledge is a win-win situation for owners, trainers, and the horses we all love so much.”

All of the pledge information can be found at www.newvocations.org/breeders-cup-pledge/

New Vocations first opened its doors to retired racehorses in 1992. Starting with a single farm in Dayton, Ohio, the program has grown to six facilities in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Serving more than 40 racetracks, the program works directly with owners and trainers in need of aftercare for their horses. New Vocations leads the nation in racehorse adoptions, taking in over 450 horses a year. The focus is on adoption verses retirement as the solution for a large number of horses leaving the track. Through education and adoption, each horse gets a purpose and a home.