It is not unusual for people to display the goodness in their hearts during the holiday season and donate to charitable organizations. Although, it is unusual to see a racehorse step up and give some of its earnings to those in need.
As a story by Paul Delean in the Montreal Gazette explains, breeder Judith Farrow’s Intimidate is contributing to The Gazette’s 2013 Christmas Fund.
Farrow and horseman Luc Blais bred Intimidate. The pair shares ownership on the fleet-footed gelding. Blais has trained Intimidate throughout his career, one in which has seen the now-four-year-old trot to $594,590 in purse earnings.
Now, Intimidate and his connections are sharing the love.
“It was my idea to make a donation to the Christmas Fund in his name last year,” Farrow told The Gazette. “Every time I bought something or did something, I found myself saying ‘Thank you, Intimidate.’”
Farrow has listed The Gazette Christmas Fund, Sun Youth and the Old Brewery Mission as her favourite charities to donate to. Now, for the second consecutive year, Intimidate is sharing some of his financial love with The Gazette’s fund.
In a video report by The Gazette, Farrow explains that although he has a big heart, Intimidate got his name because he likes to push others around when he gets the chance.
“I named him ‘Intimidate’ because he really did intimidate me. He intimidated not just me, he intimidated the other three horses he was with – ‘babies’ he was with,” said Farrow. “He went after one, and then when they got tired he went after the next, and when they got tired he went after the next, and then he went after the next. He never got tired. So I said, ‘He’s got to be a good racehorse.’”
The report also states that Intimidate is the first horse on record to contribute to The Gazette’s fund.
“The reason I give to The Gazette fund is because all the donations go directly to the families in need and all the administration costs are absorbed by The Gazette. That’s a very important point,” Farrow said.
To read The Gazette’s report, which includes a video interview, click here.
(With files from the Montreal Gazette)