Dr. Kendall Hansen, majority owner of 2011 Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner Hansen, will present a check for $12,000 to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program before the ninth race Jan. 7 at Turfway Park.
The check is part of the annual New Vocations Breeders’ Cup pledge. Owners and trainers with entries in the $25.5 million Breeders’ Cup World Championships are asked to pledge a percentage of their Breeders’ Cup earnings to support the program’s efforts.
Over the past three years the pledge has raised $150,000 to support New Vocations’ mission to rehabilitate, retrain, and find new homes for retired racehorses. In addition to Hansen, 2011 participants included owners John Fort, Mike Repole, and Rick Shanley, and trainers Kiaran McLaughlin, Eddie Plesa, Todd Pletcher, Justin Sallusto, and Nick Zito.
Because his Tapit colt won the first two starts at Turfway before winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Hansen thought it appropriate to return to Turfway to present his pledge and promote Thoroughbred retirement and adoption efforts. Hansen is one of three finalists for the Eclipse Award for champion 2-year-old male.
“I’ve owned horses for about 30 years and know that having a horse like Hansen is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Hansen, a pain management specialist. “The New Vocations Breeders’ Cup pledge offered me the opportunity to give back to the industry based off of Hansen’s success. It has been a win-win situation for everyone.”
“We are extremely grateful to Dr. Hansen for his generous contribution and to the many other owners and trainers who participated in this year’s pledge,” New Vocations program director Anna Ford said. “There are so many horses retiring from the track that need to be transitioned to new careers. The state of the economy has made it difficult to keep up with the number of horses needing our services. Every dollar raised helps New Vocations put horses into homes, which in turn leaves the door open to help more horses.”
Founded in 1992, New Vocations has become the largest racehorse adoption program in the country and has facilities in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Tennessee. In 2011 the program found new homes for more than 400 retired racehorses.
The program receives horses from about 30 racetracks including Turfway.
