Mareworthy Charities is one of the only organizations in the country focused exclusively on retired Thoroughbred broodmares—the mares who have spent their lives raising the next generation of racehorses.

While the Thoroughbred industry has made great progress in aftercare for retired racehorses, broodmares often face a far more uncertain future once their breeding careers end. They’ve given everything—producing winners, shaping pedigrees, and nurturing foals who make headlines—but too often, when their reproductive years are behind them, they’re quietly forgotten.

Mareworthy exists to change that.

The idea began with a mare named Worthy of Wings, who retired from racing in Puerto Rico at age 13 after 138 starts to compete in the 2019 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover with co-founder Kyle Rothfus. She inspired his lifelong commitment to helping older, hard-working mares who are often overlooked for new homes. What began as a small campaign celebrating Thoroughbred mares and their strength soon evolved into something much greater.

In 2022, that message took on deeper meaning when Kyle and co-founder Sean Smith experienced a heartbreaking foaling loss with their mare Lady Macjazz—known at home as Freja. After a difficult dystocia that resulted in the loss of the foal, they retired Freja from breeding. She would always have a safe home with them, but that moment forced a realization: for every Freja with a safety net, there are countless others without one.

From that heartbreak, Mareworthy Charities was born—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rewriting the story for retiring Thoroughbred mares.
Mareworthy’s philosophy centers on the Three P’s:
Prevent – Helping breeders and owners plan for mares’ retirements before crisis hits.
Place – Creating trusted networks to match mares with permanent, well-vetted homes.
Protect – Providing lifelong sanctuary for mares who have nowhere else to go.

In its first three years, Mareworthy has directly impacted more than 50 mares through sanctuary, advocacy, and placement programs. Each mare’s story is shared through the Pasture Pals sponsorship program, connecting donors directly to the lives they help sustain and inspiring others to see the value in every broodmare—no matter her age or history.
Funding comes primarily from individual donors who believe that behind every champion is a mare who made it possible. Every contribution ensures these mares receive not only the care they deserve, but also recognition, dignity, and love.

Mareworthy exists to prove that prevention is the most powerful form of aftercare. By focusing on education, planning, and compassionate protection, it stands as a voice for the mares who built the breed—because their stories deserve to end in peace, not uncertainty.