(August
8, 2011,
Saratoga
Springs, NY) The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s annual Gala at
Saratoga Springs
, Sunday evening was a sellout success. A record crowd of over 600 attended the
dinner/dance, hosted by celebrities Bobby Flay and Carolyn Conley.
Initial
estimates show more than $500,000 was raised through ticket sales and auctions
of donated stallion seasons and unique travel experiences.
Earle
Mack, Gala Committee co-chairman said, “It was rewarding to see the whole
industry come together for this event. We had tables of leading jockeys, tables
of trainers, tables of racehorse owners and breeders all united because everyone
who benefits from this sport is starting to understand we have a responsibility
to the horses.”
Mack
continued, “We did not solve the problem last night, but we did restore
confidence in the TRF to lead in rehabilitating, retraining and re-educating
racehorses.”
At
the start of the evening, Mack presented Frank Stronach with the inaugural Earle
Mack Retirement Foundation Champions’ Award for his individual leadership in
starting the first ever, in-house program at Adena Springs Farms. Each of
Stronach’s retired racehorses is evaluated to determine whether to retire them
to pasture, or how best to rehabilitate and retrain the horses. The successful
program now has a waiting list of screened people willing to make a commitment
to the life-long care and well being of the horse.
“But,
Frank didn’t stop with taking responsibility for his own horses. He became the
first track operator to partner with the horsemen at Gulfstream and Santa Anita
and match dollar for dollar deductions from wagering revenue to establish
retirement programs for horses who race there. His leadership and desire to do
what is right for the horses can be a template for all racing in
North America
”, said Mack.
In
accepting the award, Frank Stronach said, "I am very honored to receive
this award, especially from Earle, who has been a real champion for the
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Each of us has a responsibility to see that
our horses are cared for after racing. When some in the sport do not meet their
responsibility, then it is up to the rest of us to support programs like the TRF
that serve as a safety net. I will continue to do everything I can to assure
racehorses receive the care they need throughout their lives."
Mack
closed the evening by thanking the staff of the TRF for their hard work
organizing the Gala and said, “I know that not everyone here has a farm and
staff to take care of their retired horses, but all of us here tonight have
money that we can give to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, so that they
can do the job for us.”
The
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will follow with a release showing complete
list of auctioned items.
About
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
For
28 years, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has been dedicated to
saving Thoroughbred horses, no longer able to compete on the racetrack, from
possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter. Currently, the TRF proudly cares for
more than 1,100 horses nationwide, many of them at correctional facilities where
inmates participate in a vocational training program. Horses suitable for second
careers are reschooled and adopted out to loving homes, while others live out
the rest of their days at our farms.
Contact:
Thoroughbred
Retirement Foundation
PO Box 3387
,
Saratoga Springs
,
NY
12866
518-226-0028
www.TRFinc.org
