New Vocations, which I have highlighted several times in the past on this blog, has received some exciting results from its 2012 Breeders' Cup Pledge, with more than 17 owners or partnership groups and five trainers committing a portion of their horses' Breeders' Cup earnings to the non-profit organization's mission to rehabilitate, retrain, and re-home retired racehorses.
"We definitely had more pledges this year than any other year," said program director Anna Ford, adding that around $50,000 had been raised from the pledge thus far. "This was the first time I had people calling us, up to the day, saying they wanted to pledge. I've never had that happen; I'm normally the one making all the phone calls, so that was good."
Ford said oftentimes owners whose horses did not receive any Breeders' Cup earnings will still send New Vocations a check following the event, which may account for some additional funds in the coming months.
This is the fourth consecutive year New Vocations has sought pledges during the Breeders' Cup. Prior to the event, owners and trainers are given the option to contribute anywhere from .5% and upwards from their horses' earnings during the World Championship races.
One recent addition to the donor list is Coolmore partners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, which matched a previous pledge made by Jack Wolf and Donnie Lucarelli's Starlight Racing. The ownership groups campaign Shanghai Bobby, winner of the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I).
Winners circle photo of Shanghai Bobby's connections following his Juvenile victory. Photo courtesy of Horsephotos.com
Ford also noted that Aron Wellman's Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners should be highlighted for pledging the earnings of all three of its Breeders' Cup starters: In Lingerie (ninth in the Filly and Mare Turf, gr. IT), Tara from the Cape (fourth in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, gr. IT), and Capo Bastone (third in the Juvenile, gr. I).
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners pledged all three of their Breeders' Cup starters, including Capo Bastone, third in the Juvenile. Photo courtesy of Eclipse Thoroughbred Parters
Other major New Vocations contributors include Padua Stable and Richard Santulli, who co-campaign Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I) runner up Dust and Diamonds.
"When we retire our horses, they usually go on to a new foundation...and over the years I've supported New Vocations because Anna does a very good job with a limited budget," said Satish Sanan, owner of Padua.
Added Sasha Sanan, racing manager of Padua: "We've had a long, great relationship with New Vocations. We've supported them as a charitable cause for quite a few years--since the early 2000s. We think they do a best-in-breed job of rehabilitating horses...not just for new vocations after their lives at the racetrack, but also properly vetting and following up with the adoption individuals. They also do the best job fiscally in terms of horses adopted per dollar, so we're big fans of their organization. It's a no-brainer for us to support them in this fashion and we think it's money well spent."
New Vocations' newest resident: the winning Silver Deputy colt Joe Vann pictured with Ford's niece, Aviana. Joe Vann be up for adoption this winter. Photo by Stephanie Moon
Here's a full list of all the owners and trainers that contributed to the 2012 New Vocations Breeders' Cup Pledge:
Owners
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
In Lingerie/ 9th Mare Turf
Tara From the Cape/ 4th Juvenile Fillies Turf
Capo Bastone /3rd Juvenile
Dr. Rick DeNardo
Part owner of Duhallan and In Lingerie and Tara From the Cape
Donegal Racing/ donation
Duhallan / Turf
Padua Stable and Richard Santulli
Dust and Diamonds/ 2nd Filly and Mare Sprint
Off the Hook LLC
Turbo Compressor/ 12th Turf
Starlight Racing Stable/Mrs John Magnier/ Michael Tabor/ Derrick Smith
Shanghai Bobby / 1st Juvenile
Zayat Stables
Justin Phillip/4th Sprint
Fast Bullet / 6th Sprint
Jaycito /11th Marathon
Sisters in Racing
Romp/ Marathon 8th
James Covello
Oscar Party / Juvenile filly turf
West Point Thoroughbreds
Belle of the Hall/ 4th Filly and mare sprint
Bradley Thoroughbreds and Michael Kisber and Nelson McMakin
Watsdachances/ 2nd Juvenile filly turf
Klaravich Stables
Sum of the Parts/ 4th Sprint
Balance the Books/ 3rd Juvenile turf
Siena Farms
Summit County/ 12th Juvenile Turf
Trainers
Chad Brown
Eddie Plesa
Todd Pletcher
Doug O'Neill
Kairan McLaughlin
