Florida TRAC, a Thoroughbred retirement and adoptive care program supported by the Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program and others (www.gpaftercare.com), has relocated from Palm City to Fort Pierce, Fla.
According to a release, the new facility will be on an 80-acre property with 75 stalls, two arenas, and pond, and lodge. TRAC’s previous site had 10 stalls and 25 acres.
“We’re very happy to work with our horses at such a wonderful facility,” Barbi Moline, a member of TRAC’s advisory committee, said. “Our former farm at Stuart West (in Palm City) was great, but we outgrew it. Our Fort Pierce farm has lots of grass and stalls for every horse. And that’s important because some horses are heat sensitive and need to be in during the day. We’ll be able to provide more individual care and training for each horse.
“The facility is great to host kids from 4H with its two arenas, and we’ll be able to hold fundraising events in the lodge. I think we’ll have more adoptions from the added exposure. We’ll have a lot more visibility.”
According to TRAC, on-site farm manager Norm Berube will work with as many as a dozen volunteers through the week as former racehorses are rehabilitated and retrained so they can be matched with and adopted by loving owner.
“The farm allows TRAC to continue its outstanding work in rehabilitating and retraining our equine athletes,” said Tim Ritvo, president and general manager of Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino and a board member of Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program. “TRAC’s reputation continues to grow as a caring and safe environment for retired Thoroughbreds. We’re proud to support an organization that promotes the health and well being of horses each and every day. Hearing about a horse who has been adopted into a loving home is a great feeling.”