May Placement Program Graduates
Being a humble, grass roots nonprofit, we do not often toot our own horn – since good deeds should be done with intention, not for attention. However, people have been letting us know they have missed our monthly blog highlighting placement program graduates. We, of course, are happy to share the stories of the wonderful retired racehorses who we have the privilege of helping transition from track life to their second careers or sanctuary.
This year is already setting blistering fractions for the placement program. We have upped the maximum capacity of horses in under our care to 25. We have welcomed 45 Thoroughbreds into the program and have successfully placed 31 into their new homes as either equestrian mounts or lifelong companions.
Thanks to the generosity of the public who so enthusiastically donated to help the horses affected by the Lilac Fire which devastated San Luis Rey Downs, we have been able to take care of 13 survivors – completely free of any cost to the horses’ trainers or owners. We are expecting to help even more in the coming months.
Recapping all the 2018 happenings of the program would be a short novel, so we will share the highlights of May – which was a record setting number of 13 graduates!
Check out the photo slide show of the horses and read their individual blog notes below.
Super Storm
Some Thoroughbreds are destined for success on the track and others, well, like Super Storm are born to shine in the show ring. This six-year-old gelding by Quality Road is absolutely breath taking, intelligent and has tremendous presence. With his innate confidence, Super Storm looked after a group of frightened mares for several days when they were set free by their trainer to escape the Lilac Fire. We first met Super Storm immediately after his comeback race at Santa Anita Park when his owner/breeder contacted us seeking assistance retiring him from racing. Instead of being tired, Super Storm was effortlessly bouncing around his stall eager to play. This is when we realized we’ve got ourselves a show jumping prospect.
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. Super Storm is currently learning the ropes with Fresh Start Sport Horses.
Follow Me Crev & Midnight Cello
Being based out of Santa Anita Park, the staff and board members of CARMA routinely watch races. We frequently recognize the names of the horses who join the Placement Program, nevertheless, it was really a treat to get the call about Santa Anita Handicap third place finisher, Follow Me Crev. Towering at around 17.2hh, “Crev” is akin to a Great Dane puppy with his long legs and sweet temperament. His racing highlight reel includes the Santa Anita Handicap (Gr.1), Gold Cup (Gr.1), Suburban Stakes (Gr.2), San Diego Handicap (Gr.2), the Californian Stakes (Gr.2) and the Los Alamitos Derby (Gr.2).
Success knows success, which is why it was no surprise when the other graded stakes retiree in the program, Midnight Cello, became fast friends with Crev. “Cello” has a very decorated racing career is stacked with Graded Stakes and Black Types including: Canonero II Stakes, Naked Greed Stakes, The Vid Stakes, Needles Stakes, Tropical Park Derby, Appleton Stakes (Gr.3), Miami Mile Handicap (Gr.3), Red Bank Stakes (Gr.3), Elkwood Stakes, Eight Miles West Stakes, El Prado Stakes, Fred W. Hooper Stakes (Gr.3), Alysheba Stakes (Gr.2), Hanshin Cup Stakes (x2) (Gr.3), Presque Isle Mile Stakes, Ack Ack Handicap (Gr.3), Lafayette Stakes, Prairie Bayou Stakes and the Greenwood Cup Stakes (Gr.3).
Both once fierce competitors on the track, they prefer quiet company and would rather not go through the trouble of establishing themselves on the herd hierarchy.
These two hit the jackpot and found a lifelong home with Aftercare Charity, Humanity for Horses in Mount Shasta.
Perfection Tale
It took a village, but Perfection Tale made the journey from sunny Southern California all the way up to Northern Idaho to find the home of his dreams. When you are kind, strong and resilient, people tend to remember you. As a weanling, “P.T.” had spinal fusion basket surgery performed by a renowned veterinarian – who performed a similar surgery on the great Seattle Slew. When it came time for P.T. to change careers, the vet stepped forward to offer the now five-year-old gelding as a pony club prospect for his young niece in Idaho.
By looking at the photos we receive, P.T. has found horsey heaven. What do you think?
Room on the Broom
Our vote for best name to come through the Placement Program goes to Room on the Broom – who ironically joined us in October. Despite initial impressions, “Roomie” is incredibly loving and shows no signs of ever having dabbled in witchcraft. She is an elegant five-year-old Kentucky-bred mare by the late Summer Bird out of a French Deputy mare named French Lady.
Thanks to the connections of Aftercare Charity Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Roomie found a lifelong home in Somis, California with a veterinarian.
Our Bright Star
Some mares make your work for their affection and Our Bright Star is one of them. She has devised a clever arrangement where unless you have a cookie or a carrot, she has better things to do than spend time with us lowly peons. Once you’ve charmed her, she is sweet and enjoys having company.
Thanks to the connections of Aftercare Charity Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Star found a lifelong home in Somis, California with a veterinarian.
On Draft
If you love a horse with a roman nose, On Draft is perfection. “Miller” is a seven-year-old Ontario-bred bay gelding by Milwaukee Brew and out of a Lemon Drop Kid mare named Kissin Kendall. He has the classic Thoroughbred athletic and elegant body paired beautifully with his masculine shaped head.
His racing career would take him to Hollywood Park, Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Woodbine, Gulfstream Park, Los Alamitos, and Del Mar. He competed mostly in allowance and claiming races.
Miller is loving life with Aftercare Charity Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Lockwood, California where he will eventually be available for adoption.
Hero Ten All
Some race horses just seem to capture the heart of every handler, exercise rider, trainer and groom who meets them. Hero Ten All is one of those. When word got out “Hero” was joining the Placement Program, we got multiple calls and emails of those who loved him on the track wanting to know where he was going to end up.
As we got to know Hero, we quickly understood how and why he has so many admirers. He is very friendly, easy going, reliable and consistent. Hero is always in a good mood and has a great mind.
Hero has become best friends with On Draft since the two joined Aftercare Charity Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Lockwood, California.
South Texas Lingo
In his final start, South Texas Lingo made racing headlines by given apprentice jockey Asa Espinoza, nephew of Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza, his first career win. We know “Texas” will make a lifetime of new great memories as an equestrian mount. With his sporty build, durability and quick mind, South Texas Lingo is a prime example of the kind of off-track-Thoroughbred who will bring the breed back to show ring dominance.
Thanks to Aftercare Charity Hope For Horses, Texas was connected to Eastern Starr Farms in Ramona, California where he will become a part of a program for children and teens learning to ride.
I Prefer Pi
With a face as cute as his, how could you not Prefer Pi! He is an adorable three-year-old dark bay gelding by Bold Chieftain and out of the Perfect Soul (IRE) mare named Soul in One. He is super personable, loves attention and is definitely the “Baby Huey” type. Some Thoroughbreds are just not racehorses and I Prefer Pi was to be one of them. In his only race, he finished dead last – out of nine.
He just doesn’t take himself too seriously. He is a jokester and thinks it’s funny to throw cones over the fence line. I Prefer Pi loves to kick up his heels, squeal and leap into the air.
I Prefer Pi will be starting his second career with Aftercare Charity Hope For Horses.
Majestic Emperor
While some Thoroughbreds love the track, others just don’t. For Majestic Emperor, the fast paced and structured life just wasn’t for him. He is a lovebug on the ground but when it’s time to go to work, he’d rather hit the snooze button and be a no show. His trainer thought it’d be best for him to go have a new career he likes, so Majestic Emperor joined Aftercare Charity Hope For Horses.
Monero
Sweet and beautiful Monero is a Lilac Fire survivor whose racing career was over before it even started. No matter though. With her dark bay coat glistening in dapples, flashy markings and conformation – she will be able to excel at whichever new discipline she chooses.
Thanks to Aftercare Charity Hope For Horses, Monero was connected to Eastern Starr Farms in Ramona, California.
Serenaded Lady
This sweet California-bred mare by Coil never made it to the races but she is already showing signs that she will be a great sport prospect. With her nice temperament, flashy looks and rideability, Serenaded Lady captured the heart of Eastern Starr Farms – a contact of Aftercare Charity, Hope For Horses.