RUN FOR THE HORSES
5K raises funds, awareness
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » With the Thoroughbred racing season coming to a close Monday, Racehorse Aftercare Charitable Endeavors of Saratoga held its ninth annual Run for the Horses 5K about a mile from Saratoga Race Course, at the Orenda Pavilion in Saratoga Spa State Park.
Over 300 registered — including trainers, owners and jockeys — with the goal of raising awareness about aftercare needs of thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses.
Kimberly Weir, from Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, said Saturday’s race was important for two reasons.
“It does raise important funds to help us support the horses after their racing careers are done, but, perhaps more importantly, today it brings this whole community together around the Saratoga area to raise awareness of the horses, the beauty of them and the careers that they can pursue when they’re done with their racing,” said Weir. “This is as much a fundraiser; it’s even more importantly a friend and awareness raiser for us.”
The Racehorse Aftercare Charitable Endeavors of Saratoga features several not-for-profit organizations that focus on the aftercare of horses. Heading for Home joined Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Saturday.
“We look at it as an opportunity for people to pay back after a long summer of thoroughbred racing here. The charities are Saratoga-based, so what we can raise stays here in Saratoga,” said Joe Battaglia, of Heading for Home. “Along with that is awareness, we do education and joint programs.”
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has been around for 35 years. Their marquee program, created when the foundation began, remains Second