In the beautiful springtime of 1997, American Hall of Fame champion Exceller was led to his death in a Swedish slaughterhouse. Five months later, a group of concerned racing fans came together to form an organization they hoped would make a difference in saving other Thoroughbreds from that dark fate. They would call it The Exceller Fund.

The Exceller Fund (TEF) has since become one of the best-known, most proactive horse-rescue agencies in North America, having worked – sometimes in conjunction with other nonprofit rescue groups – to provide a future beyond the finish line for innumerable ex-racehorses. TEF is supported by grants, tax-deductible donations, and money garnered through fundraisers.

The Exceller Fund’s herd is boarded at private farms, with a per diem paid through the organization for their support. Approved facilities have been selected for the quality of their care in various areas, including rehab from injuries, retraining, and dealing with geriatric cases. This includes a state-of-the-art in-house treatment facility for troubled teen boys where eligible horses enjoy second careers as nonriding partners in an on-the-ground psychotherapy program.

A major campaign called “Racing Warriors” has focused on hard-raced runners with upwards of 100 or more career starts that are no longer competitive, horses The Exceller Fund describes as the “unsung heroes of racing.” Because of wear and tear from years on the racetrack, many simply have no future as riding horses, so The Exceller Fund networks to provide these perma-retirees sanctuary for life if they aren’t able to provide it within their own herd. A sub campaign known as “The Golden Years” focuses on broodmares that have spent the majority of their lives serving the industry in another way. Rather than at the track, they have been at the breeding shed. This program is designed to assist these aging mares to find the soft landing they deserve.