Middleburg Training Center Donated to TRF

Horseman and real estate entrepreneur Randy Rouse has donated the historic Middleburg Training Center in Virginia to the Thoroughbred Retirement Fund (TRF), the Fauquier Times reports. The transaction was completed Thursday, and Rouse, a prominent figure in the local horse community, turned 100 years old Friday. Originally built by the great owner/breeder Paul Mellon in the 1950s as a private training facility, the training center was purchased by Rouse in 2006 and has been on the market in recent years. About 80 horses are currently based at the center, and TRF President and COO Lenny Hale said that current operations will continue. He also told the Fauquier Times that there are plans to renovate the property to prepare for an expected 90 retired Thoroughbreds that will be housed there. “We're hoping that it will eventually support itself,” said Hale. “We'd also like to involve the community, use it for riding for the disabled and wounded veterans. We have a lot of options and it will take a little time to get it done.” TRF Director, External Affairs Diana Pikulski told the TDN, “The training center is in the heart of some of the nicest horse country in America. It will be a beautiful place to showcase the work of the TRF and brilliance of the thoroughbred in many disciplines.”