Teresa Genaro is a teacher and freelance writer whose work has appeared all over the horse racing universe. Follow her on Twitter @BklynBackstretch.
6 Comments
TB Owner on November 8, 2013 at 1:11 pm
I think this is a very good article that addresses some of the important issues that Retirement Programs are dealing with. As a Thoroughbred Race Horse owner I must say all owners have a responsibility to retire their racehorses responsibly. Having said that I think one of the bigger obstacles is getting the TB trainers to buy into that same philosophy. It is in their best interests to have horses in their barn and my experience is that most will say and do anything to keep them there. Note I said most not all. The trainers are an important part of the process if we want to retire sound horses and yes all jurisdictions should have some centralized retirement program that is funded by all parties in the business. Maryland Racing needs to step up to the plate on this long overdue issue.
LindaVA on November 8, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Very good article on a very important issue. Thanks to the Racing Biz for their continuing efforts on behalf of retired racehorses.
Well written article. I am always weary of the money aspect. Unfortunately ,most trainers will use that last race instead of stopping them. I am not bashing these trainers, I know what it is like to be training horses and broke. You take the best care you can and get in the mind frame from the Veterinarian that you can do this or that and maybe get one more win. You don’t want to think of the end result, the bills are piling up and so it goes. As far as the mares, it is a sad situation. These girls deserve to live out there lives whether or not they produce. We need to instill a fee out of every purse to take care of all these horses. We also need to take a fee out of every sale horse. This can be done. Thanks to all that help.
A. Pollock on November 9, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Wonderful article, Teresa. I have a new appreciation for the plight of older broodmares. I wish the entire issue of thoroughbred aftercare was more of a priority. Thank you for this.
Lead Pony on November 10, 2013 at 12:14 pm
What has the MTHA done with the $$$ that has been collected since April? Still no program – has the cash been distributed to whom and how much? Got plenty of money going to lobbyists and lawyers!
Thanks for the comments, folks. It was enlightening to speak to these women and to hear about the challenges they face. I especially appreciate what you say about the challenges owners/trainers face, too, in their decision-making. I know that the TAA is working on other initiatives to generate a reliable revenue stream. Will be looking forward to more updates from that organization.
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I think this is a very good article that addresses some of the important issues that Retirement Programs are dealing with. As a Thoroughbred Race Horse owner I must say all owners have a responsibility to retire their racehorses responsibly. Having said that I think one of the bigger obstacles is getting the TB trainers to buy into that same philosophy. It is in their best interests to have horses in their barn and my experience is that most will say and do anything to keep them there. Note I said most not all. The trainers are an important part of the process if we want to retire sound horses and yes all jurisdictions should have some centralized retirement program that is funded by all parties in the business. Maryland Racing needs to step up to the plate on this long overdue issue.
Very good article on a very important issue. Thanks to the Racing Biz for their continuing efforts on behalf of retired racehorses.
Well written article. I am always weary of the money aspect. Unfortunately ,most trainers will use that last race instead of stopping them. I am not bashing these trainers, I know what it is like to be training horses and broke. You take the best care you can and get in the mind frame from the Veterinarian that you can do this or that and maybe get one more win. You don’t want to think of the end result, the bills are piling up and so it goes.
As far as the mares, it is a sad situation. These girls deserve to live out there lives whether or not they produce. We need to instill a fee out of every purse to take care of all these horses. We also need to take a fee out of every sale horse. This can be done. Thanks to all that help.
Wonderful article, Teresa. I have a new appreciation for the plight of older broodmares. I wish the entire issue of thoroughbred aftercare was more of a priority.
Thank you for this.
What has the MTHA done with the $$$ that has been collected since April? Still no program – has the cash been distributed to whom and how much? Got plenty of money going to lobbyists and lawyers!
Thanks for the comments, folks. It was enlightening to speak to these women and to hear about the challenges they face. I especially appreciate what you say about the challenges owners/trainers face, too, in their decision-making. I know that the TAA is working on other initiatives to generate a reliable revenue stream. Will be looking forward to more updates from that organization.