TRF to Honor Bruno

Edited press release
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will hold a cocktail party Aug. 4 to honor New York Senate majority leader Joseph Bruno for his contributions to New York racing and the anti-slaughter movement. The party, which will be held in the Saratoga Reading Room, will be from 5-7 p.m.

Bruno has been an advocate for horse racing in the state, and he was instrumental in passage of a senate bill that would ban horse slaughter in the state and the transportation of a horse in New York with the intent of slaughtering the horse or having another person slaughter it for human consumption. Though there are no equine slaughterhouses in New York, horses are often transported up to slaughterhouses in Canada. The bill is pending in the Assembly.

"Callous treatment of horses at the slaughterhouse often results in their prolonged suffering," Bruno said in his justification of the bill. "This bill would ensure that such cruelty and blatant disregard of one of America's most majestic and noble creatures will no longer be tolerated in New York state."

"The time has come for us to show our appreciation to Senator Bruno," said TRF executive director Diana Pikulski. "He is the one who ushered this bill through the Senate."

Bruno owns a 125-acre backyard farm where he dabbles in Thoroughbred breeding. He has two broodmares on the farm and will sell a yearling by Forest Wildcat at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select sale.

Those interested in attending the party, which is by invitation only, may contact the TRF at 518-226-0028.