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Honoring the Women Who Built The TRF: The Story of Elinor Penna

Maddie Marshall — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:34:49 +0000

By Francis LaBelle

March is international women’s month, and it is not lost on the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) that its very existence has its roots in the dedication and tenacity of women.

Elinor Penna is one such woman. Her determination helped shape an organization that continues to be led by women she continues to inspire.

Elinor had already been battle-tested when the TRF was founded in 1983.

She began writing a football newsletter in the 1960s, distributing it around Manhattan and eventually charging a nickel as her audience grew. After being denied press box access for a 1968 New York Jets–New York Giants game, she sued the National Football League, gaining recognition and becoming a pioneering woman covering the NFL. She was opening doors in a male-dominated industry.

Years later, after marrying Hall of Fame trainer Angel Penna and spending time in France, she returned to New York and became involved with Monique Koehler. Then came the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Bringing her connections and determination, Elinor helped build the organization from the ground up, spreading awareness across racetracks and turning a small idea into a lasting mission to provide dignified lifetime care for retired Thoroughbred racehorses. This is when the TRF Second Chances Program was launched at Wallkill Correctional Facility in Wallkill, NY, marking the beginning of this transformative initiative, which continues to run today and has since expanded to correctional facilities across the country.

Elinor understood how to bring people together, she lobbied from every box to barn and put the TRF on the map. Through it all, Elinor remained at the heart of the mission, raising awareness, building connections, and pushing forward despite obstacles. Her story is not just one of personal achievement, but of lasting impact.

In an interview with the TRF this past February, Elinor Penna said “I am just so happy that, after all of these years, the TRF is still going strong.”

Today, the TRF continues to thrive, led and supported by women who follow in the path Elinor helped forge. Her legacy is clear: she didn’t just break into an industry – she built a community that continues to grow and inspire.

The post Honoring the Women Who Built The TRF: The Story of Elinor Penna appeared first on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

TDN Letter to the Editor: What Will Our Legacy Be

Meredith Woolfod — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:03:04 +0000

By Maggie Sweet

Racing has a legacy to rectify before it can look to the future.

The “Racing in 2036” series struck me for its lack of perspective from the aftercare segment of the industry. Post-racetrack life for our equine athletes was mentioned a few times, but only in a cursory manner. And certainly without any accountability.

Thoroughbred aftercare is chronically underfunded despite the creation of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) in 2012. Aftercare organizations founded before the TAA was created have been underfunded for decades. Programs that predominantly follow the sanctuary model continue to care for horses born long before the industry attempted to establish a funding and accrediting body. These horses raced before the retrain/rehome model became widely available and, with fewer post-race options, they were often pushed too far and became unfit for other athletic careers. These horses are at a higher risk of landing in dangerous, often fatal situations.

They are The Legacy Herd.

Private sanctuary-model organizations cannot continue to carry the load of their care without broad support from the racing industry. There is often debate about who is responsible for these horses years after they ran their last race. For The Legacy Herd, the answer is all of us. Shaming and blaming are not long-term solutions. We were not aware enough, educated enough, responsible enough 25 years ago when we bred, sold and raced these horses. Now is the time to right that wrong.

Establishing a sustainable source of adequate funding can be done. Currently, consignors to all sales at the three major auction houses are required to pay 1/20 of 1% of the final sale price, which is donated to the TAA. Buyers at those sales have the option to contribute the same. From self-reported statistics, these three auction houses handled over $1.4 BILLION dollars in sales in 2025. Assuming all buyers opted in to the contribution, only $1.4 million was donated to be shared among the 87 organizations accredited by the TAA. Imagine if we changed that to 1/2 of 1%–those 87 organizations would be splitting over $14 million dollars, a portion of which could be earmarked for The Legacy Herd.

The vision of “Racing in 2036” that I share below is possible. But only if the major players in the industry commit to the thousands of horses who make up OUR Legacy Herd via a properly funded aftercare system that values all retired racehorses regardless of their ability to sustain another athletic career. Those of us in the trenches will never solve this alone. If you walk away from this letter with one impression, let it be this: the Thoroughbred industry is only as sustainable as its aftercare policies.

Here’s my vision for 2036:

In 2036, waitlists at aftercare organizations have been eliminated. The majority of Thoroughbreds who don’t retire to the breeding shed are responsibly retired to a retrain/rehome facility. These horses are sound enough to participate in a second or third athletic career because they were retired when it became apparent they didn’t have a dignified future as a racehorse, not because they were injured. When these horses age out of athletic careers, they move on to sanctuary facilities, where they participate in Equine Assisted Services that utilize the unique qualities of the Thoroughbred to create pathways for healing and growth while living their lives in peace and safety. The minority of retiring Thoroughbreds who aren’t used for breeding and aren’t sound enough to continue in an athletic vein go directly to the sanctuary facilities and begin what may be the most important work of their lives as teachers and healers. All of this is automatically funded by The Racing Industry, so the burden doesn’t fall too heavily on the shoulders of one sector and a sustainable source of support is guaranteed for these horses. Aftercare is no longer seen as charity, but as simply part of a racehorse’s life cycle. This is the legacy to which we should aspire.

Don’t let this letter sit on the shelf alongside so many of its predecessors. If you are an innovative leader call me at (518) 226-0028 or email me at maggie@trfinc.org. We have work to do.

The post TDN Letter to the Editor: What Will Our Legacy Be appeared first on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Aftercare a Priority for Horse Owner Alcaro

Meredith Woolfod — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:37:23 +0000

By Francis LaBelle

David “Chief’’ Alcaro gets around pretty well for a big guy.

A late summer weekend saw him at Delaware Park to watch Striker Has Dial win the $150,000 Endine Stakes and then immediately ride down to Dulles International Airport in Virginia to catch a flight to Ireland to see another one of his horses race at The Curragh.

As part of his 49th birthday celebration, Chief remained in Ireland for a week, visited trainer Joseph O’Brien’s Carriganog training center and then headed back to New York to resume his role as a commodities trader on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

On December 11th, he had a much easier trip when he went to Aqueduct in Queens, NY to watch Time To Roll win for the second time in four starts.

He lives a fast-paced life, which also includes heading his Thoroughbred racehorse syndicate, Chief Horse Futures (CHF), LLC, producing award-winning documentary films, rooting for the Bendigo Spirit, an Australian professional women’s basketball team of which he is part owner, and co-hosting a weekly sports radio program in Australia.

Yet, for all the territory he covers, Chief always makes time for worthy causes. And Chief has certainly made time for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF).

This past summer, Chief attended several fundraisers in support of former racehorses, including three TRF Saratoga Springs events: Gumbo with jockey Kendrick Carmouche at the Principessa Elena Society; LALO for Jocks & Horses at the Adelphi Hotel that benefitted the TRF and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), and the Backyard BBQ at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital.

A true racing fan, Chief has made aftercare a priority as a horse owner.

“I’m not sure specifically when I learned about the TRF,’’ he said. “I knew of the importance of aftercare generally as a fan of the sport, and then it was hammered home in the required viewing of the video by the New York Racing Association (NYRA) before granting an owner’s license.’’

NYRA, which operates Saratoga Race Course, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Belmont Park, has worked with the TRF and other Thoroughbred aftercare organizations over the years. NYRA television paddock reporter and analyst Maggie Wolfendale-Morley is a current member of the TRF Board of Directors, as is jockey Katie Davis McCarthy.

Although Chief has owned both Thoroughbreds and standardbred horses “off and on for two decades,’’ three years ago he dropped the vowels from his nickname and started CHF with three Thoroughbreds purchased at Keeneland.

Chief reached out to Horacio De Paz to train his horses. According to De Paz, Striker Has Dial illustrates Chief’s understanding of how to be a responsible horse owner.

“In addition to being a lot of fun, Chief is very patient and very low maintenance,’’ De Paz said. “When Striker Has Dial was a two-year-old, she came back from a breeze with a minor problem. Chief was a new owner for me and some new owners would have pushed to run her right back again because it was a minor injury. I told him that she might give one great effort, but there is no guarantee that she would give that effort again if that injury got worse. Instead, we agreed to give her some more time. With Chief, the welfare of his horses always comes first.”

The result is that Striker Has Dial became Chief’s first stakes winner for De Paz. The Endine Stakes was her third victory in six starts this year and pushed her career earnings to more than $300,000.

Chief – “A co-worker gave me that nickname when I worked as a clerk on the trading floor because he said that I looked and sounded like Chief Wiggum on The Simpsons.’’- is used to success. Born in Bristol, TN, he grew up in Orange County, NY, about 60 miles north of The Bronx, where his Italian American family has its roots. It was his Aunt Yola who fostered his love for racing, as she routinely brought her nephew with her on forays to Off-Track Betting. He became fascinated with racing and with numbers. An exceptional student, Chief attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School as a finance major.

“I completed the course work in three years, but failed to pass the foreign language requirement, so I didn’t graduate,’’ he said. “I worked on the New York Mercantile Exchange trading floor as a summer intern after my senior year of high school and through college. I returned back to my home base in New York City, became a trader in February of 2000 at 23 and was on the trading floor until it was replaced by electronic trading and the primary market for commodities trading in 2010. I have continued to trade commodity futures electronically ever since.

“Going to OTB with Aunt Yola, I loved the numbers and racing. I would follow horse racing through Sports Illustrated articles and sports radio. I was lucky to join a work trip that went to the Kentucky Derby in 1999. I was 22, just a clerk and really had no business being on the trip aside from being with a couple of older friends. I’ve been to every Derby since. ‘’

Chief was also in attendance five weeks after Charismatic won the Kentucky Derby in 1999 to see the colt’s bid to win racing’s elusive Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes. Charismatic finished third after suffering a career-ending injury. Jockey Chris Antley immediately pulled his mount up after the finish, jumped off Charismatic, kept him calm and held his injured leg until medical help arrived. Antley’s quick actions were credited with saving Charismatic’s life.

“The Belmont is when I saw how much the horse means to everyone involved,’’ Chief said. “It was not about the financial aspect. It was the connection and the emotions from everyone.’’

Certainly, Chief has shown connection and largesse to meaningful causes. The two documentary films he produced –Trouble the Water (2008) and The House I Live In (2012) – were both Grand Jury Prize winners at the Sundance Film Festival, with Trouble the Water receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature. The films dealt, respectively, with the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in the 9th Ward of New Orleans, and America’s losing effort with the war on drugs.

For more than a year, Alcaro has been increasingly involved with TRF and other Thoroughbred aftercare programs.

“All of them are excellent,’’ he said, “As far as fundraisers, my favorite was the Gumbo because of the location and Kendrick now becoming a friend and not just my primary jockey.’’

The TRF is lucky to count Chief as a friend. He is a horse owner who not only gets around but simply gets it.

The post Aftercare a Priority for Horse Owner Alcaro appeared first on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Breeders’ Cup 2025: Beyond the Finish Line

Blue Million — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:40:52 +0000

Breeders’ Cup Week:
Beyond the Finish Line

Breeders’ Cup Week: Celebrating Life Beyond the Track

Each year, the Breeders’ Cup celebrates excellence in Thoroughbred racing; speed, athleticism, and the unforgettable thrill these horses bring to the sport. This year, during Breeders’ Cup week, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation took a moment to shift the spotlight to what comes after the finish line.

The TRF shared stories from some of the industry’s most respected trainers and owners, each reflecting on a horse they once trained or cared for, a horse who now enjoys sanctuary, safety, and peace within the TRF herd. Their words were heartfelt reminders that aftercare is not separate from racing; it is an essential continuation of a horse’s story.

Honoring Horses and the People Who Remember Them

Some of the horses highlighted in this series have been retired with the TRF for more than two decades. Others have found new purpose through the TRF Second Chances Program, where they work with incarcerated individuals learning empathy, patience, emotional regulation, and responsibility.

Whether a horse won major stakes or never made the headlines, each one contributed to the industry. And each one deserves to be remembered, valued, and cared for, for life.

Featured Connections in This Series

Chad Brown, reflecting on Jaystone, now part of the Second Chances Program at Wallkill Correctional Facility (NY)
Amy Dunne, speaking about One Eighty, who resides at Lowell Correctional Institution (FL) as part of Second Chances
Mark Hennig, sharing appreciation for Air Kiss, retired for more than 20 years at TRF’s Powhatan Plantation Sanctuary Farm (VA)
Graham Motion, acknowledging multiple former trainees who now enjoy retirement with the TRF
Bill Mott, reminiscing about Classic Campaign, now a teacher in the Second Chances Program at Lowell Correctional Institution (FL)
Dale Romans, discussing Point Storm, who has been retired with the TRF for two decades
Todd Pletcher, reflecting on Mr. Viber, now retired within the TRF herd

Why These Stories Matter

These voices help remind us that:

Retirement is not an afterthought.
Every horse, regardless of racing success or earnings, deserves dignified lifetime care.
Aftercare works best when shared across the industry; owners, trainers, fans, and foundations all playing a role.

Their participation in this campaign sends a powerful message:
The future of aftercare relies on acknowledgment, responsibility, and compassion.

Be Part of the Legacy

If these stories inspired you, we invite you to take the next step.

Sponsor a retired Thoroughbred:
HERE

Watch the full Breeders’ Cup Connections Series:
HERE

Together, we honor the horses who gave us their all, not only during their racing careers, but throughout their long, meaningful lives.

The post Breeders’ Cup 2025: Beyond the Finish Line appeared first on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Maggie Wolfendale Morley Interview with Light Up Racing on the TRF

Blue Million — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 02:20:49 +0000

TRF Board Member Maggie Wolfendale-Morley:
“The reason we get up … is for the love of the horse”

We are honored to feature a powerful conversation with Maggie Wolfendale-Morley, TRF board member, NYRA paddock analyst, and lifelong horsewoman, as she reflects on why aftercare matters, how the TRF is changing lives, and what the future holds for the horses and people we serve.

“Not only is the TRF saving people, they’re also changing lives.”

Maggie’s commitment to Thoroughbred aftercare comes from a personal, deep place. In her interview with Light Up Racing, she shared stories of sanctuary, second chances, and the quiet dignity of horses’ later years. We are incredibly grateful to Light Up Racing for highlighting this crucial conversation and for giving the TRF’s mission greater reach. Thank you, Maggie, for your passion, advocacy, and unwavering heart for these horses.

TRF’s Promise of Sanctuary

When the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation began in 1983, its mission was clear: rescue horses from risk of neglect, abuse, or slaughter, and provide them with forever sanctuary. Maggie underscores that the TRF doesn’t just shelter horses, it makes them family the day they arrive. If adopted, they always have a place to return.

Today, the TRF cares for nearly 400 retired Thoroughbred racehorses supported by staff, farm managers, and volunteers. Their care is 24/7, driven by one guiding principle: “the love of the horse.”

Second Chances for Horses and People

One of the most transformative programs the TRF operates is the TRF Second Chances program, a collaboration with correctional facilities in eight states. Inmates care for the horses, forging healing connections and learning empathy, patience, and gentleness.

Maggie shared,

“When you put them together in a beautiful setting, everybody just learns to relax. The connection they establish… brings them so much peace.”

The change is profound: the horse reflects what you project, and many incarcerated individuals discover new purpose through that reflection.

The Heart Behind the Work

It gets personal. Maggie paused, voice slightly catching, when she said:

“I wouldn’t have my life, my career, or my family … if it weren’t for these horses.”

Each morning, she tends to her own horse. That relationship is therapeutic, grounding, and deeply human. And to her, the notion that any horse could be considered a “disposable product” is “utterly crushing to my soul.” That conviction powers her every step as a board member and advocate for the TRF.

About Maggie Wolfendale-Morley

Maggie comes from deep racing roots: a third‐generation horsewoman who serves as a paddock analyst with NYRA while also contributing to her husband’s training operation. Her broadcasting insight, love for OTTBs, and advocacy in aftercare make her voice a uniquely powerful one in the industry.

Watch the full interview HERE.

The post Maggie Wolfendale Morley Interview with Light Up Racing on the TRF appeared first on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Horse Spotlight: Astro Force

Blue Million — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 01:17:22 +0000

Astro Force:
The “Grandpa” of Ashby Station Sanctuary Farm

Astro Force has become something of a legend at Ashby Station Sanctuary Farm. At the ripe age of 32 years old, this Canadian-bred gelding (Katowice — Above the Stars, by Pia Star) is one of the most recognizable faces in the herd. With 36 starts, 8 wins, and a respectable earnings record, he transitioned into retirement in December 2000, when the TRF welcomed him into sanctuary life.

Ashby Station: A Sanctuary in Front Royal, VA

Nestled on 150+ acres just outside of Front Royal, Virginia, Ashby Station is one of the TRF’s sanctuary farms. It is home to over 60 retired Thoroughbred racehorses, with their average age being about 22 years old. The farm gives them space to live in a natural herd setting, where our retirees are free to graze, rest, and age with dignity.

A Day in the Life: Astro Force’s Rhythm

Astro is known for his strong opinions and laid-back approach to life. He’s not a fan of fly spray or fly masks, but he tolerates his biweekly bug treatments with a grumpy kind of grace. His treat palate is famously selective: only German Horse Muffins or German Minty Muffins make the cut.

Dinner time is optional. Some days, he’ll linger outside and watch the sunset rather than head in. After over two decades of sanctuary life, we think he’s earned that choice.

The Meaning of Lifelong Care

Astro is a living testament to the TRF’s sanctuary being a home for life. Whether a horse arrives after its second or third athletic career, or is freshly retired from the racetrack, the TRF gives them decades of care, love, and respect. Astro’s long, healthy life in retirement is proof of what is possible when commitment meets compassion.

Support Their Next Chapter

Your sponsorship or donation helps feed, heal, and house horses like Astro for as long as they live. You’re not just supporting a day, you’re ensuring a future.

Learn more and explore sponsorship: Sponsor a Horse

Because every racehorse deserves a safe place to land.

The post Horse Spotlight: Astro Force appeared first on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

TRF Second Chances Graduate Spotlight: Lauren Vannucci

Blue Million — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:26:33 +0000

From Purpose Inside to Possibility Outside

When Lauren Vannucci learned she’d been accepted into the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances program at Lowell Correctional Facility, she cried tears of relief, hope, and the feeling that a different future had just come into view. “It truly changed my life,” she says.

The TRF Second Chances program is a vocational training program that places retired Thoroughbred racehorses in correctional facilities, where participants learn daily horse care and workplace skills while providing hands-on stewardship to the horses. The Lowell Correctional Farm, which was launched in 2000, operates on approximately 100 acres and cares for 50 retired racehorses, pairing classroom instruction with barn routines and hands-on horsemanship.

For Vannucci, horses had long been a source of calm. Inside the Second Chances program, they became teachers. The cadence of grooming, leading, and groundwork taught patience, presence, and accountability. “Working with horses has always been a healing time for me. If I can work with and ride these 1,000-pound animals, I can pretty much do anything I strive to do,” she says. The program’s training focus is on feeding, grooming, handling, and safety, which equips participants with transferable skills for equine jobs post-release.

Asked to name a defining challenge, Vannucci points to a young Thoroughbred named OK Dude. Freshly gelded and recently off the track, he tested boundaries. “He pushed my buttons every day until we learned to work correctly with each other,” she recalls. The turning point was not dramatic but incremental: “We annoyed each other, invaded each other’s space, and ultimately taught each other to slow down, breathe, and try again tomorrow. We don’t have to be perfect; we just need to try our best.”

“The farm gave me purpose,” Vannucci says. Through Second Chances, she developed industry-relevant skills and met volunteers who helped her secure employment after release, the program’s intended pathway from training to opportunity. In the years since, Vannucci has publicly shared her story about how the program set her on a new trajectory and why retired racehorses make such powerful partners in rehabilitation and re-entry.

“Second Chances is a great program that can help people change their lives in so many ways,” Vannucci says. “There are good, hard-working people incarcerated who want to live a better life upon release, and they have the skills to be productive members of society.” Her advice to new participants is simple: “Take full advantage of it; it can be life-changing.”

How to Help

Lauren’s second chance and the dignified lifetime care of the horses who made it possible exist because of supporters who believe in TRF’s mission. To sustain Second Chances and sanctuary care at Lowell and other partner facilities, make a gift or sponsor a horse today!

Jails to Jobs Article
Spectrum News 13 Article
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Lauren Vannucci Article
Lauren Vannucci’s BBQ Event Speech 2025

The post TRF Second Chances Graduate Spotlight: Lauren Vannucci appeared first on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Staff Spotlight: Liz Bennett

Blue Million — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:08:10 +0000

Staff Spotlight: Liz Bennett

From TRF Adopter to TRF Teammate

A Lifelong Connection to TRF

For Liz Bennett, her journey with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation began long before she officially joined the team. Her family adopted their first TRF horse back in 1998, and since then, the connection has only grown deeper. With six TRF adoptions to date and countless hours spent volunteering, Liz’s dedication to the mission is rooted in decades of personal experience and passion.

“When a position became available that aligned with my skill set, I didn’t hesitate to apply,” Liz shared. Now, as a valued member of our team, she brings heart, knowledge, and hands-on experience to everything she does.

Why Liz Loves Her Role

What does Liz love most about working at the TRF?
“The ability to help horses and humans alike each day.”

That simple statement says so much. Liz is deeply committed to the TRF’s dual mission of providing lifetime care for retired racehorses and creating life-changing opportunities through our Second Chances programs.

A Moment That Left a Mark

One of Liz’s most memorable TRF experiences happened before she even joined the team. Her family had traveled to adopt two TRF horses from the Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts, the first adoption from that new Second Chances location.

“When we arrived to pick up the horses, a few of the incarcerated individuals were crying,” she recalled. “It made me realize how impactful a program of this nature can be.”

That moment stuck with her, and it still fuels her commitment today.

Meet Her Favorite TRF Horses

When asked to pick a favorite, Liz couldn’t narrow it down to just one:

Private Relations, the last remaining TRF adoptee in her current herd, was adopted from the Wallkill Correctional Facility.
St. Augustine, a special horse she met years ago at Plymouth County, is now residing at Wallkill Correctional Facility.

These horses represent not just her personal connection, but the meaningful relationships formed across states and seasons through TRF’s lifelong commitment to care.

What the TRF Mission Means to Her

To Liz, the TRF’s mission is best summed up in three words:
“Hope. Opportunity. Purpose.”

And that goes for both the horses and the people we serve. “The success stories of horses thriving in our herd, or finding their way to loving adopters, and the individuals flourishing after release are proof that our work is making a difference,” she said. “Knowing I’m a small piece of that puzzle is motivation enough for me.”

Life at TRF: A New Adventure Every Day

Liz describes her TRF experience in one word:
“An adventure!”

“No day is ever the same when you’re working with horses,” she laughed. And we wouldn’t have it any other way!

The post Staff Spotlight: Liz Bennett appeared first on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Event Wrap-Up: TRF Backyard BBQ 2025

Blue Million — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:04:37 +0000

TRF Backyard BBQ Draws Record Crowd in Saratoga
More than 500 attend Rood & Riddle Saratoga; proceeds support lifetime care and Second Chances

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s annual Backyard BBQ welcomed more than 500 guests at Rood & Riddle Saratoga, one of the most successful events in its history. The evening blended philanthropy and community, with proceeds directed to TRF’s mission of dignified lifetime care for retired racehorses and to the TRF’s Second Chances program, the organization’s vocational training program operated in partnership with correctional institutions across the country.

Funds raised through ticket sales, the paddle raise, and the silent auction will underwrite essential care, including feed, hay, bedding, and veterinary and farrier services, as well as sustain classroom materials and hands-on instruction for the Second Chances participants. The program places retired Thoroughbred racehorses in structured settings where daily routines build horsemanship skills, work habits, and confidence that translate beyond the farm.

A highlight of the evening was a speech by Second Chances graduate Lauren Vannucci, an alumna of the Lowell Correctional Institution program and now founder of Figure 8 Media. Vannucci described how the program provided purpose during incarceration and transferable skills after release, underscoring the program’s emphasis on patience, communication, responsibility, and resilience.

The TRF expresses appreciation to Rood & Riddle Saratoga for hosting, as well as to the sponsors whose support made the night possible. We also thank silent-auction donors for fueling enthusiastic bidding and the catering and bar teams for their hospitality. The event would not have been possible without our volunteers for on-the-ground execution.

The record turnout carries immediate impact: additional months of hay and feed are secured, veterinary and farrier coverage will expand, and resources for Second Chances classrooms will be strengthened in the months ahead.

A photo gallery and video highlights will be shared on the TRF social channels for attendees and supporters. The TRF Backyard BBQ will return next season in Saratoga; supporters and prospective sponsors are encouraged to watch for ticket announcements and updates at TRFinc.org and across all social channels.

The post Event Wrap-Up: TRF Backyard BBQ 2025 appeared first on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Horse Spotlight: Celestial City

Blue Million — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 14:28:26 +0000

Celestial City:
Healing, Teaching, and Thriving at Lowell Correctional

Celestial City: A Steady Light at Second Chances Lowell

Celestial City arrived at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation with the résumé of a true professional and the heart of a barn favorite. Foaled March 1, 2019, the bay Kentucky-bred gelding is by Uncle Mo out of Lunar Evening (by Malibu Moon). On the racetrack, he made 10 starts, earning $348,420.

A New Home & A New Role

Today, Celestial City lives at TRF’s Second Chances Farm at Lowell Correctional Institution. If you spend five minutes with him, you’ll discover his trademarks: gentle eyes, a steady stride, and an enthusiastic love for treats.

For the women in our program, Celestial is both teacher and healer. Through daily care, grooming, handling, groundwork, leading, and basic horsemanship, participants learn patience, communication, and trust. Celestial meets them where they are, offering calm feedback and the kind of quiet confidence only a seasoned Thoroughbred can provide. As with all TRF Second Chances horses, the transformation flows in both directions; while Celestial gains the comfort and consistency of dignified lifetime care, the women gain new skills, a sense of responsibility, and a living example of resilience.

Why His Story Matters

Every TRF horse carries a story that ripples beyond the barn aisle. Celestial City’s path, from the speed and spotlight of the track to the thoughtful rhythm of a teaching role, perfectly illustrates the power of Second Chances. He didn’t just retire; he re-purposed. And in doing so, he helps people re-imagine what’s possible for themselves, too.

Celestial City was responsibly retired to the TRF on 4/23/23 and will remain in our care for the rest of his life. Your support ensures that his veterinary care, nutrition, and farrier work are covered, and it sustains the TRF Second Chances curriculum, which changes lives, both equine and human.

How You Can Help

If Celestial City’s story speaks to you, consider sponsoring one of our retired racehorses, supporting our Second Chances program at Lowell, or making a gift in honor of the horses who’ve given us their all.

Learn more and explore sponsorship: Sponsor a Horse

Because every horse deserves a safe place to land, and every student deserves a patient, four-legged teacher like Celestial City.

The post Horse Spotlight: Celestial City appeared first on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Thoroughbred Retirement FoundationThoroughbred Retirement Foundation

Honoring the Women Who Built The TRF: The Story of Elinor Penna

TDN Letter to the Editor: What Will Our Legacy Be

Here’s my vision for 2036:

Aftercare a Priority for Horse Owner Alcaro

Breeders’ Cup 2025: Beyond the Finish Line

Breeders’ Cup Week: Beyond the Finish Line

Breeders’ Cup Week: Celebrating Life Beyond the Track

Honoring Horses and the People Who Remember Them

Featured Connections in This Series

Why These Stories Matter

Be Part of the Legacy

Maggie Wolfendale Morley Interview with Light Up Racing on the TRF

TRF Board Member Maggie Wolfendale-Morley: “The reason we get up … is for the love of the horse”

TRF’s Promise of Sanctuary

Second Chances for Horses and People

The Heart Behind the Work

About Maggie Wolfendale-Morley

Horse Spotlight: Astro Force

Astro Force: The “Grandpa” of Ashby Station Sanctuary Farm

Ashby Station: A Sanctuary in Front Royal, VA

A Day in the Life: Astro Force’s Rhythm

The Meaning of Lifelong Care

Support Their Next Chapter

TRF Second Chances Graduate Spotlight: Lauren Vannucci

From Purpose Inside to Possibility Outside

How to Help

Staff Spotlight: Liz Bennett

Staff Spotlight: Liz Bennett

From TRF Adopter to TRF Teammate

A Lifelong Connection to TRF

Why Liz Loves Her Role

A Moment That Left a Mark

Meet Her Favorite TRF Horses

What the TRF Mission Means to Her

Life at TRF: A New Adventure Every Day

Event Wrap-Up: TRF Backyard BBQ 2025

TRF Backyard BBQ Draws Record Crowd in SaratogaMore than 500 attend Rood & Riddle Saratoga; proceeds support lifetime care and Second Chances

Horse Spotlight: Celestial City

Celestial City: Healing, Teaching, and Thriving at Lowell Correctional

Celestial City: A Steady Light at Second Chances Lowell

A New Home & A New Role

Why His Story Matters

How You Can Help

Breeders’ Cup Week:
Beyond the Finish Line

TRF Board Member Maggie Wolfendale-Morley:
“The reason we get up … is for the love of the horse”

Astro Force:
The “Grandpa” of Ashby Station Sanctuary Farm

TRF Backyard BBQ Draws Record Crowd in Saratoga
More than 500 attend Rood & Riddle Saratoga; proceeds support lifetime care and Second Chances

Celestial City:
Healing, Teaching, and Thriving at Lowell Correctional