Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington is among the oldest and largest equine establishments within the nation. Each a clinic and pharmacy, Hagyard has spent the final 145 years caring for horses of all ages and backgrounds, and that features ensuring horses are cared for on the finish of their racing careers.
The Race to Give effort was created by Hagyard with the intention of being an annual occasion that raises consciousness and funds for the Thoroughbred aftercare initiative. The initiative, held for the primary time this yr, has raised almost $125,000 as of Nov. 2.
“Aftercare is caring for horses at one other part of their lives,” stated Hagyard’s Dr. Luke Fallon. “After they cross that end line for the final time of their careers we would like them to have a smooth touchdown. … We felt as healthcare directors and veterinarians that is one other means we’re caring for our equine athletes.”
Fallon expressed {that a} essential incentive behind the Race to Give was to spotlight what trade teams like Thoroughbred Charities of America and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance have been already practising when it comes to Thoroughbred aftercare. The cash raised from the Race to Give will likely be directed to the TCA, who will give the cash of their 2022 grant cycle to aftercare charities in addition to conduit and re-training charities which can be TAA-accredited. TCA-supported repurposed Thoroughbred occasions, such because the Retired Racehorse Undertaking and its Thoroughbred Makeover, may also be beneficiaries of the Race to Give funds.
“I am a fifth technology veterinarian at Hagyard and it is at all times been a part of our mantra to take care of these horses. We’re practising correct stewardship by giving to equine aftercare and making an attempt to spotlight the nice that our trade is doing already by way of the efforts of the TCA and the TAA.”
Members within the Race to Give have been inspired to enroll as people or as a workforce and interact in a pleasant competitors to boost donations. These donations have been tallied every day on the web site’s leaderboard.
“We’re over the moon,” stated Dr. Fallon. “It far exceeded expectations for the primary yr. We hoped to boost $100,000 initially however we thought within the final day or so we may get nearer to $150,000 however to boost over $120,000 we’re simply ecstatic with the way it wound up.”
“It is incredible,” stated Mike McMahon, president of the TCA. “This was perhaps one of many first actual efforts at fundraising strictly to followers and partnership homeowners. I feel it was wildly profitable and went past anybody’s expectations. It is a mannequin that works in different industries and companies however we have been caught at asking stallion farms and breeders to hold the brunt of the load for aftercare and it was vital to me and the TCA that we begin different income streams.The fellows at Hagyard have been in a position to get this carried out. They did an ideal job.”
The primary annual Race to Give was supposed to wrap up Oct. 30, the day of the Hagyard-sponsored Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, nonetheless the website portal remains to be open for anybody nonetheless wishing to make a donation.
