In 2025, the United Pegasus Foundation celebrated its 31st year as one of the oldest and largest Thoroughbred horse rescue and sanctuaries in California.

Founded in 1994 by Helen Meredith, the United Pegasus Foundation has rescued and provided sanctuary for hundreds of off-the-track as well as off-the-commercial-farm Thoroughbred racehorses. It has always been our goal to provide a soft landing for those racehorses that desperately needed one.

From its humble beginnings in Helen’s back yard to a 52-acre ranch in Tehachapi, the United Pegasus Foundation has remained committed to ensuring that every horse deserves a second chance regardless of money won, pedigree, or injury. A majority of the horses taken in by the United Pegasus Foundation are permanent retirees. Horses who come to UPF are first rehabilitated from whatever injury they may have and are acclimated to their new environment. Once their rehabilitation is over, the horses are introduced to a group where they buddy up and live their life as part of a herd.

The United Pegasus Foundation is home to around 125 horses at any given time. These horses have participated in over 1900 races with earnings near $10 million. We work with aftercare partners to find homes for younger horses who need a second career and assist with rehabilitation of those coming off the track who have career ending and in some cases life threatening injuries.

The hard work that Meredith and her team do is a testament that Thoroughbred retirement is not just a dream, but a reality. The United Pegasus Foundation is making sure that the athletes who perform for us today, will be cared for and given the opportunity to live a great life in retirement.

There is beauty in watching the UPF herds run around as if they were in the wild, while at the same time maintaining that human bond that they had when they were born into the racing industry.

The United Pegasus Foundation is grateful that the racing industry is committed to taking care of the athletes that make the Sport of Kings one of the greatest sporting spectacles in the world.