Beyond the Wire, a Maryland-based post-tamering program that recently celebrated its 500th retirement, has been selected to receive the 2022 Special Award.
Led by program administrator Jessica Hammond in her daily activities, Beyond the Wire will be presented with a Special Merit Award on Thursday, May 19, during the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico racetrack.
The Special Award of Merit is presented by the Maryland Jockey Club to those who have had a positive impact on the racing industry. Past winners include Riders D. Wayne Lukas, Jerry Bailey, Ramon Dominguez and King Leatherbury; late broadcaster Jim McKay, founder of Maryland Million; and MJC track photographer Jim McCue.
“We are honored and really appreciate the recognition, as the program is a major endeavor of the Maryland motorsport industry,” said Hammond. “It is hoped that the award will also provide an additional emphasis on the importance of aftercare.”
Launched in 2017, Beyond the Wire hit a major milestone in mid-March when 5-year-old Bundi Bundi, trained by Pedro Nasario, became the 500th horse to pass the program. Hammond said they have since added 20 more horses.
“It’s been a busy, busy show,” she said. “The good news is that it shows trainers are prioritizing a good care program for their horses. People are even planning to get money for their horses so they know they’re going to have a great time. a safe and secure retirement. Rather than risk having one last horse in a bad position, the trainers said let me retire them via Beyond the Wire.”
Beyond the Wire is an industry-wide initiative between the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the Maryland Equestrian Club, 1/ST Racing, Northview Stallion Station, the Maryland Horsemen’s Association, and hands Maryland horse racing. The organization is the first exit from a racing program designed to facilitate safe and enriching positions for retired Maryland-based racehorses.
Annual pledges and donations as well as an owner contribution of $11 per start, allow Beyond the Wire to place retired purebred breeds exclusively on Union-approved farms. Care after carefully recognized care. Horses undergoing the program are retrained and rehabilitated as needed.
The partner farms are MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Foxie G Foundation, New Vocations, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, After the Races, Equine Rescue of Aiken and Life Horse.
Another important goal of the program is to provide education and advocacy around the issue of responsible retirement for racehorses. Beyond the Wire will have an information board set up during Sunrise at Old Hilltop tours that run from 6-9 a.m. Tuesday, May 17 through Friday, May 20.
For more information about the program, visit: www.beyondthewire.org.
Alibi Breakfast began in the 1930s on the porch of the old Pimlico Club House and features a gathering of media, owners, trainers, jockeys, horsemen and fans to Preakness celebration and fun and funny race predictions.
