By Bill Finley
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has announced a $1 million challenge pledge by Carl Pollard to launch its $20 million four year endowment campaign. Pollard, who breeds and races horses and formerly owned Hermitage Farm has supported the TRF for a number of years.
“Carl Pollard's challenge gift gives us confidence and credibility,” said TRF Director of External Affairs Diana Pikulski. “We are proud that someone of his stature believes in what we do and how we do it.”
By making his pledge, Pollard has challenged the TRF to raise $19 million over a four-year period. If it does, he will contribute $1 million. The pledge is designed with interim milestones and incentives. Proceeds from the endowment will be used primarily for horse care expenses. Owner-breeder Robert Evans has also joined with a four year commitment of $250,000.
“Basically, we all know the problem of retired thoroughbreds, and their aftercare is the responsibility of everyone involved in our sport,” Pollard said. “It seems to me the TRF and its program is a wonderful win-win solution for horse racing. The problem is always money and I wanted to come up with a new plan of attack to help raise the type of funds the TRF truly needs to improve upon its mission. My goal is fairly simple. It's an attempt to 'jump start' an endowment campaign of at least $20 million. My giving is tiered to place an incentive on the TRF board, staff and donors to raise an endowment which will ease some pressure on the annual giving. I hope others will be inspired by this campaign, realize how important the work the TRF does and make significant donations of their own.”
Pikulski realizes just how important it is for the TRF to achieve the goal of raising $20 million.
“This is about the financial security that retired racehorses deserve. Success in this campaign will cement our ability to steadily develop new retraining, vocational training and therapy programs putting more horses to work in second careers as riding horses and therapy horses.” Pikulski said. “Success in this campaign will greatly increase our capacity to service the racing industry by allowing us to accept more horses in need of homes when their racing careers have ended. Expansion of our work is critical for the business as the pressure to find homes for all Thoroughbred increases.”
Pikulski believes that a $20 million endowment could not only ease current financial pressures on the TRF but allow it to expand its mission and its goodwill efforts on behalf of the sport.
More than 32 years ago, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation created a place in racing for the many thousands of horses that need homes and/or second careers when their racing or breeding days are over. Currently, the TRF has 24 farms in 14 states and its programs continue to grow and develop. For 32 years , the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has been a model, an inspiration and a pioneer discovering new ways that the Thoroughbred racehorse can thrive and be a part of American society when its racing career is over.
“The 32-year legacy of the TRF has been the antidote to the often negative news about equine abuse in racing,” Pikulski said. “The TRF has exposed fans, horse lovers and the general public to the special and unique qualities of the Thoroughbred racehorse as companion, competitor and teacher.”
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