Thoroughbred Long Term Retirees Are Deserving Too!

 Not all thoroughbreds will be able to go into second careers as riding horses after their racing careers have ended. That is the reality of racing. However, there are many horses that are pasture sound and can live a comfortable life being adopted as a  companion horse or permanently retired. These type of thoroughbreds are in need of the most help and are just as deserving of recognition and funding as horses that can be retrained for second careers. Many of these valiant warriors gave as much or more on the racetrack as horses that retired with a higher level of soundness.

A retired or companion horse can bring a lot of joy and happiness to a person's life as much as a horse that can be ridden. They can be very therapeutic and be a great addition to a horse loving family. They can also contribute by being great babysitters for weaned foals and keeping another horse company.  Horses like to be with other horses and do much better when they have company. And depending on the horse, their monthly maintenance may not be as high as a horse that is being ridden regularly.

With the enormous breeders awards and  purse structures today,  a mandatory percentage allotted for racehorse retirement, rehabilitation and long term care would provide the vast amount of  substantial funding needed.  The horses must be the top priority and their long term welfare addressed as well as the short term. They deserve that much from all of us. 

A National Database to Monitor Retired and Adopted Thoroughbreds!

Today the Jockey Club announced it would be developing a system to identify horses at risk for injury. http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2012/06/13/jockey-club-to-develop-system-to-identify-horses-at-risk-for-injury.aspx This system would notify track officials and regulatory veterinarians when a horse that has been entered in a race is facing a heightened risk of injury. This is a good idea and the Jockey Club should be commended for their efforts to try to protect horses from a catastrophic injury while they are racing, however, there is also another catastrophic issue that must be addressed and that is just as important, thoroughbreds at risk of going to slaughter

What thoroughbreds could be deemed to be at risk anymore then those at risk of going to slaughter? Our organization has advocated for a better tracking system of when horses leave the backside of a racetrack. There should be a national tracking system of when horses leave a racetrack, their destination documented in detail and a National Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoption Registry so thoroughbreds that are retired at a facility or  adopted can be kept track of more efficiently by an organization or a former owner. We must put better safety nets in place for the horses to ensure their safety and welfare after their racing careers have ended as much as when they are racing.

Horses are actually at more risk when they can no longer produce on the track. The recent Kelsey LeFever story of thoroughbreds sent to slaughter who were suppose to go to good homeshttp://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/report-kelsey-lefever-to-get-probation-be-restricted-in-horse-activities/  and the incident with trainer Mark Wedig, who was banned from Mountaineer Racetrack after two thoroughbreds Cactus Cafe and Canuki  came up missing after they were in Wedig's possession and then were produced by Wedig after a Canandian slaughter company returned the horses http://www.drf.com/news/trainer-wedig-banned-mountaineer  proves that a tracking system is crucial, imperative and overdue. 

With the technology that is available today in addition to thoroughbreds registered with the Jockey Club and having tattoo numbers and TRPB tattoo database, it should be a project that can be accomplished. Micro-chipping and scanning all thoroughbreds as well and creating a national microchip tracking database may also be a feasible way to go. It is too easy for thoroughbreds to fall through the cracks and end up in harms way and far too many are still ending up at slaughter. We must all work together to develop a system that will prevent thoroughbreds from ending up in harm's way. Will it be easy? No. Will it cost money? Yes. Will it be worth it? Yes.   We are hopeful that the thoroughbred racing industry will work with our organization and all that are interested in accomplishing this goal for the horses and the betterment of racing. 

Substantial Perpetual Funding From the Racing Industry a Must for the Horses!

The need for a national thoroughbred retirement and rehabilitation program that involves a diverse board, set policies and guidelines that everyone must follow that will protect and monitor the horses in addition to the input of several reputable and qualified retirement and rescue organizations is needed now more than ever.

The funding is within the industry; it is just that the industry does not view racehorse retirement as a priority and that mindset must change. Everyone involved with thoroughbreds should and must contribute to ensure the well being of the horses when they can no longer race.

First it must start with the breeders for they are choosing to bring baby foals in to this world. The thoroughbred racing industry rewards owners and breeders for breeding horses by giving breeders awards and bonuses, but how may breeders associations have discussed a mandatory retirement/rehabilitation or euthanasia fee be paid to the association and placed in a special retirement fund for each baby foal that is born each and every year. Based on the Jockey Club Checkoff Program figures, breeders donated approximately $52,000 in 2009 by registering 32,606 horses. In 2010, approximately $43,000 was donated by breeders when 30,669 horses were registered. Folks, do the math, it comes out to $1.59 per foal for 2009 and $1.40 per foal in 2010. Is this the best the racing industry can do for the very lives they are bringing in to the world and people are making a living by? These figures are pathetic. A much higher and mandatory fee must be implemented and paid by breeders.

Secondly, funding for racehorse retirement must come from a percentage of the purse money, whether that be a percentage from the gross annual purse structure at every racetrack, or at least a $10.00 mandatory per start and a set percentage each year from all HBPA affiliates in conjunction with a substantial matched amount from racetrack management/owners plus a mandatory fee taken out from jockeys for every horse they ride.

Funding must be substantial and perpetual on an annual basis. The funding from a mandatory breeders fee and either a percentage of the purse money or mandatory per start fee could be used to fund the retirement and rehabilitation programs annually and the money from racetrack management and jockeys could be used to start an endowment to generate funds for horses that need long retirement and care and to create new accredited sanctuaries or expand existing facilities so there will be funds for long term horses.

Voluntary funding does not work. The Jockey Club Checkoff Program breeders’ contributions proves that. Racehorse retirement and rehabilitation is an ongoing process and needs ongoing substantial funding. We all owe it to the horses to make sure they are safe and are being taken care of when their racing careers have ended. No matter how much fundraising the TRF does, or the R.A.C.E. Fund, Exceller Fund, CANTER, ReRun, ILEHC, Equine Angels or any organization, it is not enough to cover the entire expenses of racehorse retirement and why shouldn’t the industry support the very creature that they make their living by? Why is there not a provision in all state legislation for the welfare of the horses? There are provisions for horsemen’s health care and pensions and breeders incentives and awards but there is nothing for the horses that are the very core of the racing industry. Why have the HBPA’s, Breeders Associations and the NTRA not lobbied for the horses legislatively?

There must be lifetime monitoring of horses when they are retired and or adopted out. Our organization monitors horses every 6 months but we will be changing that to every 3 months. It is a lot of work but it is extremely important and vital for any horse’s welfare. And retired mares that go through retirement, rehabilitation and rescue organizations should not be adopted out to be bred. How can creating more horses possibly be helping the situation when there are already too many horses? It cannot as it will create more heartache and misery for mares and their foals long term than it will help short term.

Monitoring of all rescues facilities, sanctuaries, satellite and private farms is an absolute priority and must be done on a consistent basis. A national coalition of accredited, qualified and reputable rescues and facilities must be established and uniformed guidelines and rules followed to ensure every facility in each state and or chapter/region is trustworthy and doing right by the horses.

There are many good organizations out there like ours that care deeply for the horses and their safety and well being. Racehorse retirement and rehabilitation, perpetual funding and having and creating safe and well run retirement facilities is doable now and in the future but it is going to take a lot of work and dedication from all entities involved in racing to make it work and we must all work together toward a common goal for the horses and the betterment of racing.

There is always going to be three kinds of horses when their racing careers have ended, those sound enough to be rehabilitated for a second career and adopted, those that are healthy enough and pasture sound to live a comfortable life as a companion horse or long term retiree and lastly horses that have catastrophic injuries or in chronic pain and suffering that humane euthanasia by a licensed veterinarian is the most compassionate and humane thing that can be done for the horse and we as an industry must provide for all of them. Horses didn’t make themselves sore and lame and broken down, people did that and people should take care of them.

The R.A.C.E. Fund organization has always advocated for a percentage of the purse money for racehorse retirement and rehabilitation and to work with like minded organizations and individuals that have the best interest of the horses at the forefront. The R.A.C.E. Fund has contacted the Jockey Club, NTRA, National HBPA and Breeders Cup in the past and they have yet to step up to the plate for the horses on the level that is needed. . It is time for unity and working together to devise the best programs and solutions for the horses instead of the input from a few select organizations and no open discussions.

R.A.C.E. Fund. Inc.

info@racefund.org

R.A.C.E. Fund News: R.A.C.E. Fund "Bid for the Horses" Online Auction

R.A.C.E. Fund News: R.A.C.E. Fund "Bid for the Horses" Online Auction: "The R.A.C.E. Fund Bid for the Horses Online Auction is now open for bidding through November 7th at 8:00PM (EST) at http://www.biddingforgoo..."

R.A.C.E. Fund "Bid for the Horses" Online Auction

The R.A.C.E. Fund Bid for the Horses Online Auction is now open for bidding through November 7th at 8:00PM (EST) at http://www.biddingforgood.com/racefundbid

Many racing and non racing items are being offered to raise funds for the R.A.C.E. Fund so we can help racehorses retire from racing and to save thoroughbreds from slaughter. The R.A.C.E. Fund has helped many horses in need and we need your help to continue our mission.

Former jockey and now renowned artist Tom Chapman has donated 4 framed prints of his beautiful oil paintings of Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Barbaro and Secretariat. There is also wonderful racing memorabilia items such as an original racing program when Ferdinand won the Kentucky Derby, a limited golden edition of the Kentucky Derby book when Street Sense won the Derby, a Smarty Jones Belmont racing program. a Go Zenyatta customized shirt and much more.

So please stop by our online auction and make a winning bid for the horses. You can also click the Refer a Friend button on our auction Home page and let your family and friends know about the auction too. We appreciate your support.

What Is A Sold WIthout Pedigree Form?

Under Jockey Club Rule 18 it states the following:

18. SOLD WITHOUT PEDIGREE

A. Any owner who desires a horse no longer to be considered a Thoroughbred for racing or breeding purposes must promptly surrender the Certificate of Foal Registration to The Jockey Club within 60 days after the date of sale with an accompanying notation that the horse was transferred or sold "without pedigree." The notation must be signed by the owner or authorized agent and indicate the date of disposition. In the event the owner or authorized agent surrenders the Certificate of Foal Registration to The Jockey Club in the above manner more than 60 days after the date of transfer or sale, then the new owner or transferee must also submit a statement that the horse was purchased or received without pedigree.

B. Upon receipt in The Jockey Club Registry Office, the respective Certificate of Foal Registration will be cancelled. Once the registration is cancelled, the horse cannot be reinstated into the registry, and a Duplicate Certificate of Foal Registration will not be issued.

C. Notations upon a Certificate of Foal Registration which do not clearly indicate transferred or sold without pedigree, including notations such as "not to be raced," shall not result in cancellation of the Certificate of Foal Registration. Such notations could be regarded as defacing the Certificate of Foal Registration. Submission to The Jockey Club of any such defaced Certificate of Foal Registration may cause a Corrected Certificate of Foal Registration to be issued.

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The R.A.C.E Fund has educated several horsemen organizations, horse rescues and numerous owners and trainers about this form. Surprisingly, there are still many owners and trainers that are not aware of this form and its purpose. If an owner of a thoroughbred horse wants to ensure that their horse's foal papers are cancelled after the horse is retired from racing, the owner of the horse and the purchaser can sign a Sold Without Pedigree Form which will permanently cancel the horse’s foal papers and no duplicate set of papers can be requested in the future.

Owners and Trainers please take the time to do the necessary paperwork when retiring your horses to protect the horse and you. It will be well worth the effort. The option to utilize the Sold Without Pedigree if you choose to do so is an added plus.

Did you know that you can help us help horses and the environment to?

Planet Green has created a website at www.planetgreenrecycle.com/racefund where you can order Re-manufactured Inkjet Cartridges . Each time you order the R.A.C.E. Fund will receive a 15% donation from Planet Green and you will be saving money and helping us help the horses and the environment too in addition to supporting an American Remanufacturer. So next time you need an ink cartridge, please consider ordering at www.planetgreenrecycle.com/racefund We appreciate your support.