April 2021 Newsletter:
Spring is Here!
TRF Announces Sanctuary Farm at Chestnut Hall
Nothing captures the spirit of Spring like happy horses galloping around green pastures and rolling in the sunshine... and that's exactly what our new friends in Prospect, Kentucky were treated to on a windy Sunday morning in late March when 10 happy TRF horses arrived at Chestnut Hall. As Manny (Decadent Man) and his herd galloped past the backyards of 17 families in the Hillcrest neighborhood, you could feel the magic in the air. It was a very special day!

Thanks to an extraordinary gesture of one generous individual, the horses of the TRF and the community of Louisville have a lot to smile about. The TRF Sanctuary Farm at Chestnut Hall will be sharing the "gift of the Thoroughbred" with the community of Louisville (and beyond) for years to come. To get a sense of the joy that our horses have already brought to their neighbors, take a look at this feature on Spectrum News1 which aired on Sunday across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

This beautiful new farm will be open for public tours starting in Mid-May in partnership with Visit Horse Country and the historic home at Chestnut Hall will be made available for collaborative nonprofits to partner with the TRF for fund and friend-raising events.

This new farm signals the beginning of a bright new season and an amazing new chapter for our beloved herd. We invite all of our friends to read about Chestnut Hall and to visit our new TRF Chestnut Hall social media pages (Facebook and Instagram) to follow along as the story unfolds!

Click here to Learn more
TRF'S Lifelong Friend Julie Baker Takes Healing Arenas North
By Francis LaBelle
 
 Julie Baker has been a great friend to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) and many of its horses since she founded Healing Arenas in Escalon, California, seven years ago.
     Recently, Baker pulled up stakes, packed up her adopted Healing Arenas' TRF horses Viva Pentelicus (96 starts, 22-9-14, $347,494) and Roux Be Wild (39 starts, 12-2-8; $241,919) and relocated four hours upstate to Mount Shasta, where she is now the assistant trainer at VS Equine LLC.
     “The TRF is extremely grateful to Julie for all her work with Healing Arenas and the contributions she made to the organization,” said TRF Executive Director Pat Stickney. “Her commitment to the mission and to the horses was unwavering. She will always be a special part of TRF's history and will remain a good friend of ours in the years ahead. We wish Julie the very best.”
      Baker always brought out her best for the horses and the people whose lives she touched. She not only excelled at finding... continue reading here
A Little Luck Went A Long Way!
It takes a village and we are so grateful for the support from Richard Schosberg, Kathy Locke & Will Alempijevic, NYTHA, Pat Kelly, Rodney Margath and blacksmiths John Rugar, Mike Vinas, Joe Campbell, Tom Costello and Chris Amato.
We are so thankful for all of the horsemen and women and the backstretch community at Belmont Park that made this such a success. Big thanks to NYRA for their help and for spreading the word!
We hope these shoes bring luck to all who donated! The TRF sent out over 100 good luck shoes to our wonderful supporters! A little luck goes a long way!
Sponsor Horses of the Month
In light of all our good news coming out of Kentucky, let's meet two key players in the Chestnut Hall herd! Horse sponsorship is a fun, easy and rewarding way to support the beloved TRF herd.
Ambassadors in Action: Across the Country!
Ten years have passed since Animal Kingdom stormed to victory in the 137th edition of the Kentucky Derby and, to commemorate that, the "Dream Team" of trainer Graham Motion and John Velazquez reunited to sign 500 Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 147 bottles. The proceeds of the sale will directly benefit the horses of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
In addition to the Kentucky Derby, Animal Kingdom also won the Dubai World Cup (GI) and was Grade 1 winner on turf.
We are so grateful to Woodford Reserve, Graham Motion and John Velazquez!
TRF Ambassador's Corner
Help us recognize and celebrate our amazing TRF Ambassadors who use their talents to benefit the horses in unique and inspiring ways.
Thank you for helping us raise awareness and support for the TRF Herd!!!
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Work Together to Provide Vaccines for Thousands of Horses in Need

Louisville, KY (March 31st 2021)– The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation announced today that it has received more than 500 essential equine vaccines from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. These vaccines will be used on retired Thoroughbred racehorses in the care of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), the oldest and largest aftercare organization for retired Thoroughbreds in the United States.
“Helping organizations like the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is at the core of what we do at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health,” said Steve Boren, Vice President of the U.S. Livestock and Equine businesses at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. “We are honored to support an organization that makes a difference in the lives of horses.”
As a global leader in equine health, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to equine research and giving back to help... Continue reading here
Volunteer Spotlight
Ron and Daryl with their retired horse, Like Now, who they happily retired 12 years ago.
Last year, he was brought to Old Friends at Cabin Creek where they still take care of him as well as volunteer.
Ron and Daryl Thompson
Saratoga Springs, New York
What do you enjoy about being a TRF Volunteer? Why do you choose to volunteer your time with us?

Love the fact that we feel like we are helping in some way for retired thoroughbreds as that is what our passion is. ​​
Describe some of the projects you do for us. 
 
We have done all sorts of projects...before COVID we would be at the office once a week doing whatever was needed. Since last year, we have done everything from stuffing envelopes, helping out with the open house at Old Friends and lately doing lots of data work for all the farms...looking up and inputting racing information for all of the herd.
Shop Your Favorite Gear and Support the Herd!
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
P.O. Box 834
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518)226-0028