OTTBs

A recent article in the TDN, "He Thought His Horse Had Been Retired, So Why Did It Show Up at Chippewa Downs?" has attracted a lot of attention. It should. It's an unfortunate situation: an older Thoroughbred, sold for breeding purposes and believed by its owner to have been retired from racing ultimately returns to racing under new connections, raising understandable concerns about welfare and accountability. Scenarios like this are preventable and can be addressed through an existing protocol. Transferred as Retired from Racing (TRR)--a process available to all owners--should...

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program will host its 9th Annual Open Barn & BBQ, presented by Seidman Stables on Thursday, Apr. 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET at their Lexington facility at Mereworth Farm, the organization said in a Tuesday press release. Free and open to the public, the event--held concurrently with the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park--will feature educational seminars along with the chance to meet adoptable horses while touring the facility. Click here for more information.

Second Stride plans to honor Mary Nixon with the Industry Champion Award, and Jan and Joan Carstanjen with the Volunteer Award, the non-profit said via a press release on Tuesday. Both will be presented at the organization's Champions Night at Valhalla Golf Club on Monday, Apr. 27. Mary Nixon has been named the third recipient of Second Stride's Industry Champion Award, an honor given to someone within the racing community who has shown distinguished support and transformative dedication to the horses of Second Stride. Additionally, Jan and Joan Carstanjen, parents...

ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption and After the Finish Line's Kentucky Derby Charity Moneigh Auction for charity begins Sunday, Apr. 19 and ends Sunday, Apr. 26, the non-profit said in a press release on Tuesday. Most of the original Moneighs were painted by elite stallions and a broodmare that competed in one or more legs of the Triple Crown. Also included are pony horses that accompany them on the racetrack. Proceeds benefit Off Track Thoroughbreds. A total of fourteen original Moneighs are being offered and include, Serena's Song, Curlin, Enticed, Essential Quality,...

The Jockey Club of America's Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines, awarded prizes based on 2025 performances, the organization said via a press release on Wednesday. The program recognizes Thoroughbreds accumulating the most points at all horse shows and covers a wide variety of disciplines and experience levels. Last year, 615 Thoroughbreds from 44 states and six provinces competed in more than 13,000 classes, divisions, and events. Division awards were calculated in 16 categories as well as 99 discipline divisions and nine junior...

Trainer Michael McCarthy has pledged to make a donation to 501(c)(3) aftercare organization Win Place Home if presumed favorite Journalism (Curlin) takes the GI Kentucky Derby this Saturday. "Michael has supported us for years, and notably, he has donated more horses to our program than any other trainer," said CJ Wilson, founder and lead trainer. "What's more, he ensures every horse he sends to us comes with a financial donation from the owners--a practice that sets a powerful standard for responsibility in the industry." Wilson said that McCarthy's pledge is...

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.--The idea was a simple one. Place a bell in the Larry Snyder Winner's Circle at Oaklawn and any winning owner, trainer or jockey who wants to make a $100 donation to the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program and Rehabilitation Foundation gets to ring it. The 'Ring the Bell' seed was planted at an Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) meeting over four years ago when trainer and board member Ron Moquett posed the idea as he is prone to do. "Ron [Moquett] has about 10 ideas every...

Rider Emily Ellingwood straightened Night Beacon (Spun to Run) for her stretch run, then banked the young filly for the gallop out. All the while she allowed her mount--who moved like a western pleasure horse--to feel the ground beneath her during what was becoming a regular workout late in 2023. But it wasn't a nicely-groomed all-weather surface the pair were traveling over. No, the terrain was undulating and severe. Among the flora was fauna which included snakes and coyotes. There's no renovation break amid the rock and earth here. True,...

Shelley Mann will be stepping down from her role as Executive Director of the Lexington-based Secretariat Center effective Dec. 29, the non-profit said in a release late Wednesday. Mann joined the organization in 2020 and has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization's mission to prepare off-track Thoroughbreds for successful post-track careers. During Mann's tenure, the organization experienced growth in both reach and impact. Outgoing president of the board Dr. Holly Schmitt said, "We are immensely grateful for the tremendous impact Shelley has had on The Secretariat Center. Her...

The Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance voted at its Dec. 14 meeting to elect six new directors for 2024, the non-profit said in a release Wednesday afternoon. Directors beginning service in 2024: Christina Blacker, Racing Host and Analyst at FanDuel Jay Privman, Former National Correspondent at Daily Racing Form Dean Roethemeier, Assistant Director of Sales Operations at Keeneland Barbara Vanlangendonck, Owner of Summerfield Sales   Directors returning for a second term in 2024: Walter Robertson, Attorney at Stites & Harbison Yvonne Schwabe, Owner of Persley Den Farms...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced a new partnership with Lexington, Kentucky-based equine feed manufacturer Hallway Feeds, the organization said in a release Friday. Family-owned and operated by the Hall Family since 1964, the company is prepared to make a major financial commitment to accredited Thoroughbred aftercare through this collaboration. Select Hallway Feeds bags will proudly feature the 'Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Proud Supporter' Seal. In addition, the partnership will include race presentations and event booths. "Hallway Feeds is proud to support the efforts of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. As a company that...

Edited Press Release Vive La France! BraveHearts--the largest equine-assisted services program for veterans in the United States--announced that Trail to Zero, Ride to End Veteran Suicide, is going international. The acclaimed organization will host two rides on Friday, June 2, in Deauville and Saturday, June 3, on Utah Beach, Normandy, right before the 79th anniversary of D-Day. BraveHearts has hosted 20-mile rides in major cities across the U.S. over the last seven years in an effort to reduce the number of veterans who died by suicide each day and shine...