"Through the generous donations of our guests – and thanks to the time and talent invested by our team of dedicated employees and many TRF volunteers – we raised enough money to care for more than 70 retired racehorses at TRF farms for an entire year."
(Edited Churchill Downs Inc. release)Churchill Downs Inc. raised $77,300 for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation ("TRF") during fundraisers held in Louisville, Ky., and Miami during June 2003. All proceeds from the fundraisers will go to the care and feeding of horses retired to – or being rehabilitated at – TRF farms.CDI's second Out to Pasture Party was held June 13, 2003, at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville on the eve of "Stephen Foster Super Saturday" at Churchill Downs. The benefit dinner, featuring live and silent auctions, raised $75,200 for the TRF, a registered non-profit organization that since 1982 has worked to secure a humane retirement for Thoroughbred racehorses at the end of their racing careers.A commission for an oil painting by acclaimed equine portrait artist Leslie Priggen fetched the top price during the Out to Pasture Party's live auction, with a winning bid of $6,000, while a ticket package to the 2003 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships was the most sought-after item in the silent auction, capturing a winning bid of $1,500.On June 14, Calder Race Course, CDI's racing operation in Miami, did its part to help retired runners by raffling a trip for two to the 2004 Kentucky Oaks and Derby. The benefit raffle raised $2,100 for the TRF.Both fundraisers were held in conjunction with CDI's Green Pastures Program®. The program is designed to increase awareness of the TRF; encourage horsemen and racing fans to support racehorse donation, adoption and sponsorship programs; and raise monies to support horses living at TRF retirement farms across the country. The Green Pastures Program was launched at all six CDI racetracks in April 2002 as part of the Company's Winning Colors® "best practices" initiative."Churchill Downs Incorporated extends its sincere thanks to members of the Greater Louisville, Central Kentucky and South Florida communities for supporting our annual fund-raising efforts to benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation," said Cathy Z. Rutter, CDI's vice president of community relations.
