Success Stories

By: Mary Eddy/NYRA

In January of 2006, a plain bay named Strummer made his connections proud as he crossed the finish line first in the $65,000 Jimmy Winkfield to score his first stakes victory.

Nearly 17 years after posting his biggest accomplishment on the racetrack, Strummer is still putting smiles on the faces of those around him as one of 16 retired racehorses who have found a home at Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center, N.Y.

After 12 starts in the States, the son of Flower Alley ran an additional 23 races at Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico. In 2020, “Vinny” was able to return home to the mainland with the help of TAA-accredited Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare and the willingness of TAA-accredited aftercare charities in the U.S. to take in these horses upon their return.

When One More Broad arrived at Hope’s Legacy in September of last year, he had already lived two lives- one as a racehorse, the other as a show horse. 
After only six starts on the track, earning just $4,260, the son of Broad Brush spent the next 21 years as a competition horse before he was ready to enjoy retirement. At the ripe old age of 24, it was certainly time.

Just two months after completing his last work at Ellis Park, the Madaket Stables-owned, Steve Asmussen trainee retired with a record of 3-3-2 to TAA-accredited Second Stride.

Named after WWII war hero and MLB professional baseball player Leland Victor Brissie, meet Lou Brissie, the retired graded stakes winner.

Despite being the son of  Godolphin’s 2008 Eclipse Award winning stallion, Midshipman, Secret Deployment lacked interest in racing.

Impressive John R served as an equine-assisted therapy horse for 9 years at TAA-accredited Central Kentucky Riding for Hope.

Cindy Murphy bought the son of Midnight Lute as a race prospect for her and her husband to train, however the Hill N Dale-bred colt never made it to the starting gate.

The day Peyton Place broke his maiden, he caught the eye of TAA-accredited MidAtlantic Horse Rescue Executive Director, Bev Strauss.

It’s not often a Thoroughbred’s name can predict their future- but for CHANGE OF FORTUNE, that’s exactly what happened. Out of MGSW Better Lucky, the Godolphin-bred showed little interest in racing, so he made his way to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)-accredited CANTER Kentucky. There, he met his adopter who found a second career that peaks his interest: Western Dressage.