At Calder’s Festival of the Sun event on Saturday, racehorses take center
stage in seven stakes races worth $1.13 million. But two retired Thoroughbreds
will also get their share of the action when they — along with nine local
non-profit organizations specializing in equine rehabilitation, retraining, and
placement — are honored in special Winner’s Circle presentations and the Horse
Charity Village.
Returning to the track for the special occasion are Siphon City, a Grade 2
winner who is now a celebrated jumping horse for John and Lisa Hobbs of Hobbs
International Equestrian; and Tossa El Dartay, who trained to be a racehorse at
Calder but never competed, and is now a pleasure horse for a young girl named
Kayleigh Marshall. They are two examples of the many success stories of
Thoroughbreds leaving the track for their post-racing lives to start new
“careers.”
Central to these success stories are the non-profit organizations with which
Calder and its parent company, Churchill Downs Inc., work. For example, the Pure
Thoughts Horse & Foal Rescue – Florida Thoroughbred Rehab & Placement Division
in Loxahatchee is dedicated to the rehabilitation, retraining, and placement of
former racehorses. Calder and Pure Thoughts have been partners since March 2009,
working to ensure that those involved with racehorses know there are many
options for Thoroughbreds once their racing careers are over.
To date, Pure Thoughts has taken in more than 100 Thoroughbreds at the end of
their racing careers. These Thoroughbreds have begun their “second careers” as
show horses for children and adults, horses used in therapy programs for abused
children, working horses for police departments, and in riding programs for the
disabled. They have also gone on to perform in other sports and have become pets
and trail horses.
Of these 100 Thoroughbreds, Pure Thoughts has rehabilitated, retrained, and
placed more than 50 of them into their new lives, careers and endeavors. All
horses go with a lifetime contract that allows for them to always return to Pure
Thoughts if need be. This helps to keep them out of harm’s way. Currently, Pure
Thoughts has over 60 Thoroughbreds in various stages of rehabilitation and
retraining and several are now available for adoption.
The Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (FHBPA) and its
membership has also given financial support to Pure Thoughts and similar
organizations to support South Florida horse rescue efforts, including the
establishment of the TRAC (Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care) Fund,
whereby .35 percent (roughly one-third of 1 percent) of purses is contributed to
this initiative. Contributions are allocated by committee each year to support
South Florida horse rescue efforts.
At the corporate level, Churchill Downs Inc. has spearheaded the Green
Pastures Program to educate horsemen about the options for retiring their
racehorses, facilitate the donation of retired racehorses to non-profit
organizations, and to raise awareness and funding for the non-profit
organizations with which we work.
In addition to Pure Thoughts, eight other local non-profit organizations will
have displays and horse-related items for sale to raise funds at Calder on
Saturday. While their respective missions may vary, each one of these
organizations focuses on the best interests of horses and the people who love
them. As a partner and supporter, Calder encourages horsemen, Team Members,
guests, and public at large to find out more about the good works of these
organizations and how they may help as well.
·
Bit By Bit Therapeutic Riding Center strives to provide
quality and therapeutic services to the special needs community within South
Florida. Their goal is to help all of their clients become as independent,
strong, and confident as possible through the magic of therapeutic horseback
riding.
·
Children’s Foundation For Equine Assisted Therapy, Inc.
(Children’s F.E.A.T.) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3
organization whose purpose is to provide equine-oriented activities for children
with varying developmental disabilities.
·
Equus for Humanity is a 501(c)3
organization which provides therapeutic and psychotherapy for special needs kids
through horses.
·
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Ranch is a horse rescue facility with a
“sponsor a horse” program that provides the local community the opportunity to
ride, love, and care for a horse — all for an affordable sponsorship amount.
The facility has 60 acres of riding space and arenas, and hosts competitive and
fun events year round.
·
The Good Hope Equestrian Training Center (GHETC) has an array
of services for children, youth & adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum
Disorders: therapeutic horseback riding (ages 4&up), companion services (ages
5&up), adult day training (ages 21&up) & supported employment (ages 18&up).
·
Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida
is dedicated to providing therapeutic riding and equine assisted
activities for the handicapped so they may improve physically, mentally and
emotionally.
·
Project Stable is an equestrian and farm program that works
with special-needs children and provides agricultural education to the general
public.
·
South Florida SPCA is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation
and placement of horses and other animals.
The Horse Charity Village will be set up in the paddock at the east end of
the Calder grandstand from noon to 5 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday. Winner’s circle
presentations featuring Siphon City, the Equine Health & Wellness Partners and
Tossa El Dartay will take place at approximately 1:35 p.m., 1:59 p.m. and 2:51
p.m., respectively.
The Festival of the Sun is in its 19th year at Calder, featuring seven stakes
races worth $1.13 million, including the finals of the prestigious Florida
Stallion S. Live musical entertainment, outdoor BBQ, and exquisite equine art
displays round out the day’s activities.
Admission and parking are free. First race post time is 1:10 p.m. (EDT).