Dear Thoroughbred Friends,

After the Finish Line is planning their summer fundraiser in Del Mar, CA during the Del Mar race meet. We look forward to seeing owners, trainers, racetrack announcers, jockeys, exercise riders, racing fans, owners of off the track Thoroughbreds and horse lovers in general in attendance to support Thoroughbred ex-racehorses who can no longer race or breed. Our fundraiser documents will be posted on our website in April. Please contact dawn@afterthefinishline.org if you are interested in being a sponsor or if you want to donate silent or live auction items.

After the Finish Line is receiving many requests to help rescued Thoroughbreds. With your support, the three organizations listed below received March emergency funds.

Lighthouseville suffered a slab fracture while racing and has been in rehab at Illinois Equine Humane Center for 15 months. A setback occurred as his training was about to begin. He developed swelling in his jaw that required radiographs and an ultrasound. Prior trauma caused a small piece of bone to chip away from his jaw causing an abscess. ATFL will provide funding to pay for House’s ongoing veterinary care.

ATFL will also provide monthly board for IEHC’s 8 rescued Thoroughbreds. These horses range in age from 4-18 years with one racing up to the age of 13. Many are Illinois bred with top earnings of $500k. Some horses were donated by their owners with racing injuries while others were rescued from auctions.

ATFL awarded funds to CANTER-Ohio for monthly board and care of their 7 rescued Thoroughbreds. They recently rescued a horse at auction that depleted their funds. Their rescued horses raced in CA, OH, TX, PA, AR and MI. Some horses retired sound while others had bone chips and bowed tendons. They will be ready for adoption after rehab.

Safe Haven Horse Rescue in CA rescued Excessorized, a descendant of Secretariat. Her racing ability fell far short of Secretariat’s. Excessorized raced 9 times at Golden Gate Fields and earned $2,700. She often raced every 10 days. Seven months after she left the racetrack, Animal Control found her emaciated and neglected. ATFL paid for vet, farrier and dental expenses plus special feed that helped her gain 300 pounds.         

After the Finish Line has a story published on page 204 of a newly released book, Horsenameographies.

ATFL provides a second chance and a voice for the Thoroughbreds. The funding awarded by After the Finish Line enables rescue organizations to save and care for more horses. We all understand their potential fate and provide support when needed. You can make a difference between life and death for these horses. Your donations help to save and transition these Thoroughbreds off the track and into a second career.

Please join After the Finish Line’s Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Dawn Mellen, President/Founder
After the Finish Line
10153 Riverside Drive
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
www.afterthefinishline.org
dawn@afterthefinishline.org