From the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, owners of recently retired 2007 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Rags to Riches, have agreed to donate their royalties from the sales of the Breyer model horse in the image of their champion filly to the NTRA Charities - Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
To date, sales of the Rags to Riches' Breyer horse have generated over $10,000 for the PDJF since the product was introduced last November.
"We are extremely grateful to Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, who agreed to the deal with Breyer chiefly due to its potential to raise funds for the PDJF," said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. "We are also very appreciative of Breyer's continued support of worthy, racing-related causes."
Since 2007, Breyer has contributed $10 per sale of its Barbaro model horse to the Laminitis Fund at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. The 2006 Kentucky Derby – Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner succumbed to the complications of laminitis, a degenerative hoof disease, during his attempted recovery from injuries suffered at the 2006 Preakness Stakes.
"Rags to Riches' win at the 2007 Belmont made her a champion, but her Breyer portrait model makes her a hero to the disabled jockeys supported by the PDJF,” said Stephanie Macejko, vice president of marketing and product development for Breyer. “We were very pleased that her owners agreed and created the opportunity for everyone to have a keepsake model of this great filly and support this worthy cause at the same time."