The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1982 with the mission of saving ex-racehorses from potential neglect, abuse, and slaughter. The TRF accomplishes its mission by providing ex-racehorses with lifetime care through rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, retirement, fostering, and adoption services.
Today the program has 22 facilities in 13 states throughout the U.S. housing more than 1,100 ex-racehorses, many of whom are up for adoption. The TRF horses live at farms and at correctional facilities through a unique Second Chances program. The program is based on a partnership that authorizes public land use for TRF horses in exchange for a TRF-delivered equine care vocational training program for offenders.
The TRF is the world's largest charitable organization devoted to equine rescue. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded entirely by donations from the general public, private grant sources, and the thoroughbred racing industry. The TRF is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky and can be reached at (859) 246-3080; by email at info@trfinc.org; or on the Web at www.trfinc.org.
The James River Chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing lifetime care and adoption services for ex-racehorses, is hosting its first annual Adopt-A-Thoroughbred Day.
The free event, to be held Sunday, Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richmond-area James River Work Center, will feature a ring exhibition showcasing many of the chapter’s 27-horse herd who are ready to move on to permanent homes.
The chapter’s Adopt-A-Thoroughbred Day offers visitors ample time with trainers, adoption coordinators, and inmate herd management staff to learn more about the horses. It also gives visitors a chance to learn about the Second Chances program, a unique partnership that exchanges JRWC land use for an equine care vocational training program for offenders.
“We’re opening our barn doors to the public this one time during the year to give as many people as possible a first-hand look at what these courageous thoroughbreds have to offer,” said TRF’s James River Chapter board president, Anne Tucker. “For those interested in adopting, this is a prime opportunity to see our horses strutting their stuff in the ring. This day also gives visitors an opportunity to learn more about our mission of rehabilitating horses and men through our nationally acclaimed Second Chances program.”
The day will feature a barn tour from 10 a.m. to noon. From noon to 1 p.m. guests will be offered a special photo opportunity with Covert Action, the grandson of Secretariat, and Multiple Choice, his great-grandson. Guests must bring their own camera. The day’s ring exhibition will be conducted from noon to 2:30 p.m., followed by one-on-one meetings with adoption staff. A tack sale fundraiser will be offered throughout the day.
No RSVP is required for this event and visitors are welcome to attend all or part of the day.
The James River Work Center is located at 1954 State Farm Rd., State Farm, Va. in Goochland County.
For more information about the TRF’s James River Chapter Adopt-A-Thoroughbred Day, visit http://www.jamesriverhorses.org/index.htm#03,
About the TRF James River Chapter
The James River Chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation began in 2007. It operates a Second Chances program in conjunction with the James River Work Center, a Virginia correctional center located in Goochland County.
The TRF’s James River Chapter stables 27 horses cared for by offenders participating in its Groom Elite and stable management certification program. For more information, visit www.JamesRiverHorses.org.