On Tuesday, December 15, the Standardbred Retirement Foundation announced the lucky raffle winner that has won a trip to the Prix d'Amerique.

The raffle was won by Joseph Walsh of Secaucus, NJ. "Are you kidding?" was his response. The news took a few minutes to become real for the NJ racehorse owner.

The trip includes five days and four nights in Paris, a fabulous event through Equitours that starts on January 28, 2016 and includes a tour of a training centre, races at Vincennes, cocktail parties, a Parisian tour and much more.

Walsh is a longtime supporter of SRF and said he never expected to win. Part of a group of owners at Fly by Night Stable, their trainer is Tom Fanning, who stables at Gaitway Farm in Manalapan, NJ.

The raffle is a very important fundraiser for SRF, it helps to board, feed, and care for the 208 Standardbreds presently in their care, of which 131 are assumed retired for life due to age or injury. SRF is the only Standardbred charity managing this large number of horses, is dedicated solely to the breed, and helps trotters and pacers regardless of age or likelihood of adoption. Already in its sixth year, support of the Prix race raffle is greatly appreciated by the 26-year-old organization.

(With files from SRF)