Over $45,000 Pledged to New Vocations During Breeders’ Cup Fundraiser
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Photo courtesy of New Vocations
Edited press release
A lengthy list of prominent owners and trainers pledged a percentage of their purse earnings from the 2014 Breeders’ Cup World Championships to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption and on Nov. 20, it was announced that over $45,000 would go to the program as a result of the pledges.
For the sixth consecutive year, New Vocations asked owners and trainers of Breeders’ Cup contenders to pledge a percentage of their earnings to support the program’s mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired racehorses. Over the past six years, the Pledge has raised nearly $270,000.
“We are very grateful for all the owners and trainers who chose to participate in this year’s campaign,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations program director. “Amazingly, some of the participants whose horses did not run in the money still ended up sending a donation. We truly appreciate the much-needed support as the number of horses needing our services continues to grow and the funds raised will help us serve more horses.”
This year, 36 Championship contenders had owners and/or trainers supporting the Pledge. Trainers who committed include Bob Baffert, Leah Gyarmati, Graham Motion, Eddie Plesa, Todd Pletcher, and Kathy Ritvo. Jim and Janet Rome’s Jungle Racing LLC with Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Shared Belief and Michael Dubb with Breeders’ Cup Distaff contender Belle Gallantey led the long list of owners, which include Al Shaqab Racing, Jake Ballis, Bradley Thoroughbreds, Conquest Stables, Donegal Racing, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Jerry Frankel, Ronald Frankel, Jim and Susan Hill, Jay Em Ess Stable, Steve Laymon, Let’s Go Stable, Loooch Racing Stable, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, Siena Farm, Treadway Racing Stable, Stonestreet Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, and WinStar Farm.
New Vocations first opened its doors to retired racehorses looking for new careers in 1992. Starting with a single farm in Dayton, Ohio, the program has grown to six facilities in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Serving over 40 racetracks, New Vocations works directly with owners and trainers in need of an aftercare program for horses leaving the track. Currently, the program leads the nation in racehorse adoptions, taking in over 400 horses a year. The program has a sound adoption system in place that is proven to move a large number of horses in a rather short period of time. The focus is on adoption verses retirement to address the large number of horses leaving the track each year. Through education and adoption, each horse gets a purpose and a home.
For more information on New Vocations and how you can help support the program visit www.newvocations.org.