Do racehorses love their job?

This one does! Topaz Legacy (#7) dumped his rider at the gate and continued to run the entire race using strategy and tactic. He holds back, watches for a hole, accelerates to the next hole, slows down, weaves in and out – blasts to the finish line to WIN. He timed the entire race perfectly. Watch #7 come out of the gate - then keep your eye on the right side of the screen. Any wagers that he will claimed on next race?

The Life of a Racehorse....

This heartwarming video was made by Braiden, a 13 yr old girl who recently adopted a horse named Snack Basket from Second Chance Ranch. His new name is "Chance". I will update the blog soon with photos of Chance and his new best friend.

Martini is in The House

A must read story by one of my all time favorite writers! I asked Monica Bretherton to join me for a special event at Emerald downs, and to cover the story about a reunion of a race horse and his trainer and jockey. This is a true story showing the bittersweet nature of racing - with a happy ending for all! Click here for the story

Sarah...if that is your real name

Last Sunday we rescued another mare from the Skagit County Auction - a 18 yr old OTTB. We were told she had been an eventer. Her owner wanted to go up a level and needed a younger horse. Sarah, the name we were given, had given this person two foals, and who knows how many years of service. This is the sad fate of so many off the track Thoroughbreds. Competitive riders often use them until they can't perform, or perform at the level they want them to. Rather than provide retirement for them, the horses are dumped at an auction or feed lot regardless of the potential risk of the horse being shipped to a slaughterhouse in Mexico or Canada.

No one bid on this absolutely beautiful, sound, kind horse. She did not come with papers, but she does have a tattoo. Her registered name is Vaguely Tequila, foaled in Texas in 1990. She has gracious and bombproof manners both on the ground and under saddle. Perfectly sound, and seemingly talented. I would love to know how a horse of this calibur nearly ended up on the meat wagon.

Sarah is at our Grand Mound Chapter, up for adoption!

IT'S A BOY!

14 hours old! Congratulations to Gary Brady and Just Tickled! Tickled was boarded at SCR throughout her pregnancy. She was in foal to "You and I", and just delivered a beautiful colt at 10pm on Sunday, 24th which was her actual due date! He's got LONG legs and looks like a runner to me!! Thanks to Woodstead Farm for foaling Tickled out, and taking great care of her and the colt. Can't wait for them to come home this summer.


Click here for the colt's diary and photos

Good Luck Hitman!

Congratulations to Hightec Hitman - he left the Grand Mound Chapter yesterday, headed to his new home in California. Photos will follow soon.

An Emerald Downs Special Achievement Award

I was profoundly honored (and surprised) when Susie Sourwine, VP of Marketing for Emerald Downs, presented me with a Special Achievement Award at the Awards Banquet. It reads; “For her compassion and dedication to animal welfare and especially in the rehabilitation, adoption, and rescuing of Thoroughbreds at her Second Chance Ranch.” Working with these horses is reward enough! Anyone who knows me, knows my love for Thoroughbreds and the sport of racing. I am so grateful for the support and generosity of the trainers and owners at Emerald Downs. They bring integrity to the sport, and they have been incredibly helpful and wonderful to work with. As well, Emerald Downs, the Washington Thoroughbred Breeder’s Association (WTBA), and the Horseman’s Benevolent Protection Association HPBA), have been hugely supportive of my work and constantly encourage and nourish the efforts of SCR. I should be giving them an award!

Emerald Downs Announces the Prodigious Fund

I attended the Emerald Downs Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 16. Susie Sourwine, VP of Marketing for Emerald Downs announced a new (and first ever) fund for off the track Thoroughbreds. It is called the PRODIGIOUS FUND, named after a horse who raced for seven years and retired, healthy, in 2007. The proceeds for 2008 will be divided between Second Chance Ranch and Chez Chevaux. Owners and trainers at Emerald Downs have been very supportive of our work. They are committed to finding good homes for the horses who leave the track and we are a valuable resource for them, however, we need funding to keep the program going! The Prodigious Fund will be a popular option for owners to support and honor the horses they love, all the way through retirement. I am extremely honored and grateful to Emerald Downs for introducing the fund, and for their continued generosity! In past years, Emerald Downs and the WTBA have been dedicated to promoting our work and donating to the cause. Ron Crockett, President of Emerald Downs, kicked off the fund by personally donating $5,000!

The girls from Oakcrest pictured here with Prodigious

Coming to Comcast!

Emerald Downs has a seasonal show which are segments filmed about the racing industry. The segments can be found on YouTube and also “Comcast On Demand” (under local sports). Recently, they filmed a segment featuring Second Chance Ranch for “Life After Racing”. It was a fun day here at the ranch in Elma, as we talked about my work and introduced many of the retired race horses and those in the rehabilitation program. This will be available sometime after April…stay tuned, I will let you know when it’s live!

Our New Rescue - Thank God For 13-year Old Girls

Alicia, a 20 year old Thoroughbred by Prospect North and out of Khal Star, was rescued from the Skagit County Auction this week. She has a great story, told very well by Monica Bretherton.