Jay Hanley has spent much of the past two decades as a Thoroughbred racehorse owner helping to bring new people into the sport. Now, he is turning his attention to educating industry professionals and casual fans about the plight of retired Thoroughbred racehorses and the importance of post-retirement care.
Hanley is financing and executive producing the hour-long documentary “Off Track: Fate of a Racehorse,” which will have its world premiere on August 7 in Saratoga Springs, New York.
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Over the past 20 years, post-retirement care has become a hot-button issue for an industry that has come under fire from outside forces for failing to adequately care for its equines. Preventing horses from being abandoned and sent to slaughter is crucial to the survival of thoroughbred racing in North America. Finding new homes, retraining, and rehabilitating retired athletes is key not only to treating horses properly, but also to maintaining a positive reputation among a skeptical public.
“I hope to open the eyes of people inside and outside the industry about where racehorses go when they retire,” Hanley said. “To try to change a little bit the perception of owners, the majority of whom – at least the ones I know – put the horses first. And to get people outside the industry to understand that we care, because we really do care.”
Hanley, who owns a construction company based in Nantucket, Mass., rose to prominence a decade ago as co-owner of the 2017 women’s grass skiing championship. Mrs. Eli . He and co-owner Sol Kumin stepped in to provide long-term medical care for Lady Eli after she contracted a life-threatening case of ichthyosis. Hanley also co-owns the dual champion and dual Breeders’ Cup winner Good night Olive He made it his mission to bring dozens of friends and acquaintances into Thoroughbred ownership, most notably Kumin, who would go on to become one of the sport’s most extraordinary owners.
(LR) Owners Liz and Jay Hanley and Steve Laymon guide Goodnight Olive and Irad Ortiz Jr. after the champion’s win in the 2023 Madison Stakes at Keeneland
Hanley was drawn to documentaries as a learning tool by his father, a reporter for the New York Times; and his mother, a teacher. He wanted to convey a message through this film, his first effort.
“The idea came from my horses,” Hanley said. “The mares I raced always seemed to find good homes, but the colts and geldings were a different story. You didn’t always know where they were going, and I lost track of a few of them. A lot of these horses went on to have great second careers, bringing joy and happiness to people. That’s what I wanted to emphasize.”
Although Hanley begins telling a story about humans helping horses, the script gradually shifts to a story that emphasizes how horses can help humans.
“It’s that magical connection that I wanted to explore through retired racehorses,” Hanley said.
Hanley hired Saratoga-based filmmaker John Wager to produce and direct the documentary. Wager had previously directed “Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor,” a film about wounded veterans who used comedy as part of their healing process. That film won awards at several film festivals and was picked up by Showtime. Wager immediately saw similarities between that film and “Off Track: Fate of a Racehorse.”
As part of the Thoroughbred documentary, Wager filmed not only at reeducation and rescue facilities but also at New York’s Wallkill Correctional Facility, which, in conjunction with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, runs a long-standing equine therapy program that helps inmates rebuild their confidence through working with horses. He also filmed at locations where veterans battling post-traumatic stress disorder interact with horses to help them emotionally center themselves.
“The connection between humans and the energy and the healing power of horses, you can’t even explain it in words,” Wager says. “But we tried to convey that in the film. Toughened prisoners have horses that help them deal with anger and trust issues. And horses work with veterans.
“This film is a gateway for the average fan to enter this world and witness a special connection.”
The film was shot on location in New York, Florida, Kentucky, Colorado, and Ireland. Speaking to fans at racetracks, Wager noted that he was fascinated by how many people didn’t realize that horses could live 25 or 30 years after their racing careers, and didn’t know where they went after they left the track. The filmmakers also received feedback from test screenings with audiences outside the racing world.
“The overwhelming response was that people didn’t realize how hard it was to find homes for these horses, and wanted to know what they could do to help,” Wager said. “It was inspiring to hear that, because they connected emotionally. We started filming this two years ago, and what stood out was how hard the rescue care community works. And they’re not in it for the money, that’s for sure.”
Hanley’s goal in making “Off Track: Fate of a Racehorse” was to move the industry forward by focusing on one of its most vulnerable sectors.
“Whether you are an individual, a company, an industry or a country, it is important to look deeply within yourself, find your weaknesses and improve them. If you are afraid to do that, you will fail,” Hanley said.
“We’re looking objectively at the good and bad things that can happen to Thoroughbreds. We’ve made great strides as an industry, and there’s still a lot more to come. The more we can get this message out, the more places we can establish that horses can go, the more we can help both horses and people.”
While Hanley hopes to get as much attention as possible for the film, that will have to wait. He and Wager said their immediate plan is to apply to film festivals across the country. To remain eligible for these festivals, they can’t hold public screenings of the film. The idea is to get accepted into festivals, get positive reviews, and hopefully strike a deal with a streaming entity. In the long term, they want to screen “Off Track: Fate of a Racehorse” for equestrian groups, veterans organizations, and others interested in rehabilitating both horses and humans.
The August 7 screening in Saratoga was for a private audience of about 170 people. But those who want to watch the documentary can access it here. offtrackfilm.com for information on film festival screenings and eventual distribution.
“It’s a passion project,” Hanley said. “There are moments that just hit you in the heart, and it’s an opportunity to get people interested in horses.”
