June Placement Program Graduates
After our record breaking 14 placements last month, we thought June would be relatively slow. For once, we were actually glad to be proven wrong which means we must be doing something right! This month, six wonderful retired racehorses graduated the Placement Program and have started working toward their futures as equestrian mounts and treasured friends.
We are looking forward to a sun-soaked summer at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and hope to see you all at our CARMAcares Fundraiser: Hoedown for Horses on July 22 in the Del Mar Paddock at 6:30pm. This is our biggest event of the year and we would love to see our supporters attend! Cost of admission is a $125-dollar donation which goes directly towards helping retired racehorses – including those you will read about below and many more like them.
Alright, let’s meet June’s Placement Program Grads!
Everleigh
If you’ve been an equestrian long enough, you’ve heard the saying “Chestnut Mare, Beware”. They’re notoriously feisty, opinionated and moody. Everleigh could not be further from that stereotype. This lovely 3-year-old daughter of the late Lucky Pulpit, sire of the legendary California Chrome, was not as talented on the track as her family members. Her connections decided she was better suited for a career as a show horse. As you can imagine, Everleigh quickly stole the heart of Aftercare Charity CANTER-California.
Porteous (GB)
No, she doesn’t neigh in a British accent but this elegant mare joins us from across the pond. Porteous did quite well racing in England before coming to the United States. In her 31 starts, Porteous earned $82,210 and raced at 13 different tracks. With her sporty body and competitive attitude, Porteous found a second career as a polo pony.
Dream Police
Dream Police is one of those horses that seem to collect a fan club everywhere they go. With his soulful eyes, kind demeanor and good looks, it is easy to see why so many people seem to fall in love with this six-year-old son of Wildcat Heir. Dream Police made 27 career starts and finished in the top three 12 times. Dream Police retired from racing shortly after he survived the Lilac Fire at San Luis Rey Downs and was not able to return to his former competitive self.
After a couple months of rest and relaxation in grassy green pastures, this wonderful boy was ready to start his second career. Dream Police, now called Fawkes after Professor Dumbledore’s phoenix from Harry Potter, found a new home with Aftercare Charity Win Place Home.
Fire Survivor
As you may have deduced from his name, Fire Survivor’s life is quiet the story. As a yearling, he survived a deadly barn fire in Kentucky where 40 Thoroughbreds tragically lost their lives. He beat the odds and was able to start training to race the following year but he would end up having to retire after just a couple works.
Despite all he has been through, Fire Survivor is one of the most happy-go-lucky horses you will ever meet. During his stay in the Placement Program, he could regularly be found throwing cones, splashing in his waterer and sun bathing. He loves people and wants to be the center of attention.
Thanks to the connections we have made by putting on the Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show, we have made new friends, who like us, love transforming retired race horses into sport horses. Fire Survivor is starting his second career with Fresh Start Sport Horses.
Summer’s Burst
Finding a new home just in time for his namesake season is three-year-old Summer’s Burst. He joined us after just two career starts – one at Santa Anita and the other at Del Mar. This youngster has a fun personality and the comfiest canter. Seriously, he’s like driving a luxury car. After spending nine months playing in pasture, going on trail rides and growing strong, Summer’s Burst joined Fresh Start Sport Horses to start training for his second career. With his quiet mind and kind heart, he is going to make someone a wonderful riding horse and friend.
Melville
Alright, so our Project Manager Natalie is a 90’s kid who grew up watching the cartoon Rugrats every day. When she got the call from Melville’s owner asking for assistance retiring the seven-year-old son of Street Cry from racing she had to ask “is he named after Chuckie Finster’s pet pill bug?” Well, the answer was no in case anyone else was wondering.
Melville the horse raced 25 times, earned $102,017 and ran all over the country before settling down in the Placement Program. He has the coolest personality and just a go-with-the-flow kind of guy. Melville is joining Aftercare Charity Square Peg Foundation to become a therapeutic riding horse for autistic children.