New event to help place retired racehorses

The Texas Thoroughbred Association is bringing the owners and trainers of ready-to-retire racehorses together with a number of re-homing organizations at an event March 8 at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, the organization announced. The inaugural Roses to Ribbons Old Fashioned Horse Fair is being put on by The Paddock Foundation, a nonprofit for Thoroughbred aftercare launched by the Texas Thoroughbred Association. It will start at 11 a.m. Central.

“Part of our responsibility as racehorse owners, breeders, and trainers is to help further the education and careers of these horses once they leave the racetrack,” Mary Ruyle, executive director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association, said in a release. “We hope this event is another step forward in achieving that goal, and we invite everyone from the racing industry and those outside the industry to attend.”

The event is a chance for owners and trainers to place horses ready to retire with new owners, as both potential buyers and re-homing organizations will be in attendance, according to the release. There also will be tack for sale and swapping and concessions as part of the “horse fair” theme.

The Texas Thoroughbred Association administers the Texas-bred program. The offices are located in Austin.

** Promise Me Silver, a 3-year-old filly who is undefeated in five starts, will seek to extend her streak Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park in a division of the $75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes. Promise Me Silver is coming off a win in the $100,000 Dixie Belle at Oaklawn.