In conjunction with the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF), Hoosier Park Racing & Casino has donated $5,000 to save 10 former race horses from slaughter. With the donation, Hoosier Park is not only helping the horses in need but hoping to raise awareness for the SRF organization who works diligently to provide race horses with homes after their racing careers are finished.
Just two weeks ago, several Standardbreds were found to be in imminent danger of shipping to slaughter. Ten Standardbreds with collective earnings of more than $1 million, to be exact, were in trouble. With the help of caring citizens, industry professionals, and Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, the Standardbred Retirement Foundation was able to rescue all 10 of the horses.
“There is an old saying that goes 'A friend in need is a friend indeed,'" Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager of Racing, Rick Moore noted. “At Hoosier Park, Standardbred race horses, whether racing or retired, are our friends. For this group of horses that were facing their demise last week there was never a better time to have a friend come to the rescue. We are so pleased with the outcome of this story that could have had a much more dismal ending.”
The horses that were rescued are All American Daddy, who earned $489,000; Big Money; Chuckie Two; Desired Goal; Third Down Delight; Barretts Toy; Evil Grin; Second Thought; Dusty Lane Ralph; and Windsong Fortune, with earnings of $272,000.
The cost to take in one horse and to provide all the necessary steps of paying their fees, shipping, quarantine, rehabilitation, veterinary care, and blacksmith and dental care is approximately $1,500. Hoosier Park’s donation will be put towards the care of the animals until permanent homes can be secured.
“It is heartwarming to have the help of Hoosier Park and the wonderful people who stepped up to help these horses in need,” noted Judy Bokman, SRF's Executive Director. “It was a dire situation and it came down to the last few hours. I don’t know of anyone who would want to see these magnificent animals go this route when their careers on the track have come to an end. With that said, and that evident, we hope that people shout out to racing to do the right thing; have the industry create its own program to provide for these animals.”
All 10 of the horses were removed from the situation and will now head to a quarantine facility in Delaware where they will be placed under a veterinary’s care. Once the soundness of each horse is determined, their future options will also be explored including under saddle work.
About the Standardbred Retirement Foundation: Founded in 1989, Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF) is currently caring for more than 192 retired racehorses at boarding and training facilities around the country; all are available for adoption. SRF is unique as it never relinquishes ownership and requires the veterinary of every adopted horse to provide a follow-up report semi-annually to insure each horse remains happy and healthy, for life. The program relies on tax-deductible gifts, and fund raising events such as the donation of lifetime breedings to prominent stallions, single breeding donations, and other fund raising efforts. In complement to finding them loving homes as companion horses, their program also focuses on retraining that gives them second careers in police work and therapy programs. SRF retires them with the dignity they deserve and provides them with full care for the remainder of their lives.
(Hoosier Park)