Horse Care & Backstretch Workers

…And they are off!!! At nearly 35 miles per hour to top speed of 40, these athletes give it their all every time it’s asked of them. They give it their all during their work outs and especially a day at the races for the fans, trainers, partners and all connections associated with the horse. 

Meanwhile, the backstretch workers do nearly the same, but on two feet. They are up at 4 a.m. to get the horses ready for their workouts and for daily maintenance. Workers include: exercise riders, barn workers, groomers and many more working behind the scenes.

“These 1,000 lb beasts send us on a wild ride and our responsibility should never end at the track,” says Hans. “Our responsibility should continue to the end of their lives.”

So, one may ask, what happens to the horses after they retire or are injured and can no longer race and the same question for these barn workers who’s whole life is devoted and dedicated to the horses, trainers, and barns all their years?

Hans and I believe in giving back as much as we can wholeheartedly to not just retired or injured horses, or barn workers, but we also believe in helping the children of the backstretch workers and retired or injured jockeys. All these involved need our continual assistance. It’s our special way to say THANK YOU for all you do and for allowing us to enjoy the Sport of Kings!

During Breeders’ Cup Classic weekend (Nov 5-7, 2021), I heard a story that tugged at my heartstrings. While I attended the Fashionable Fillies (see photo), I was told of a new foundation for the children of the backstretch workers. Their parents start the day very early approximate 4-5 a.m. The children have no choice but to come with their parents that early. Too early to get dropped off at school and many don’t have the financial means to go to a sitter, so these children sleep in the car until the parents get a break and can take them to school. This nearly broke my heart!! 

Last week, we discussed in our blog White Envelope for Christmas the story of this Maron family tradition. Today, we will discuss the many ways we give back to all involved in the Thoroughbred horse racing life. 

We begin with the two charity funds we automatically donate with every horse entered in a race – win or not, we donate:

• Black and Gold Fund – through our partnership with West Point Thoroughbreds.  Funds go toward re-homing, re-training, shipping, and daily care and maintenance for West Point horses no longer competing on the track 
• LRF Cares – through our partnership with Little Red Feather.  Funds provide aftercare for horse racing partnership horses and other noteworthy causes. 

ADDITIONAL CHARITIES WE DONATE:

• Thoroughbred Charities of America – Read the White Envelope Christmas blog I recently wrote.
• Fashionable Fillies – Benefits the Jockey Club of America.  Provides financial relief and assistance to needy members of the Thoroughbred industry and their families.
• Belmont Child Care Association: This fund offers children ages 6-12 an opportunity to continue learning during their summer break from school. 
•  The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) . Provides financial assistance to jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries.
• Other charitable programs when we attend events or hear of a special fundraising situation.

Hans and I will make it our mission to notify you, our fans, in the event we feel one of our charities need additional public help and provide you with an opportunity to make a difference in a Thoroughbred, backstretch worker, or jockey’s life!

P.S. at the Fashionable Fillies that I attended and where the above picture was taken at, I had won a raffle for a Hot Rod Charlie purse! You see, in horse racing, at the end of the day,  we all cheer for one another. Hans and I have become very good friends with majority owner Glenna and Greg (see photo below) and when I had the opportunity to place a raffle to win the purse, I did. This was after all, a charity event!