Success Stories

By: Jen Halliwell Following twelve starts on the track and earning $61,450, Let’s Rumble was retired in September 2020 through Monmouth Park’s Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement program. He found his post-racing home at After the Races, another Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited facility. This decision was prompted by the discovery of some changes in one of his knees. Recognizing the changes in his condition at an early stage, his connections made the responsible choice to retire him and give him the opportunity to thrive in a new career after a well-deserved break. Although he wasn’t destined for racing greatness, trainer Jeanne Vuyosevich wanted to ensure that whoever adopted the 2017 gelding knew more about him. She left behind a handwritten note for his next owner, sharing insights into his personality, including his love of bananas. After a couple months off, “Rumble” had settled into racing retirement, benefitting from the time taken to let his knee heal. Meanwhile, Courtney VanErstvelde had begun her search for a new barrel racing partner. When she contacted After the Races and explained what she was looking for, they enthusiastically recommended Rumble. “Courtney was originally looking for a horse that would do well in western disciplines in general and who had a certain temperament” said Bonnie McCrae of After the Races. “He was so calm, cool, and collected when we rode him, and I thought his build, size, and temperament would suit well for trail riding and other western activities… I mostly just did my best to match her needs with a horse that would fulfill them, and it seems like I got it right!” “The amazing staff knew me better than I knew myself and found me an amazing partner,” VanErstvelde explained. It didn’t take long for their relationship to bloom, and Rumble’s personality began to truly shine. “After some time running around the pasture with his new friends his goofy personality has really come to the forefront and his new favorite thing is hugs,” said VanErstvelde. Rumble’s newfound bond with VanErstvelde on the ground has also had a positive impact on their partnership in the saddle. The duo has been successful enough in the ring to qualify for the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) World Championships in October and plan to make Rumble’s first rodeo appearance soon. “He has so much heart and try into everything in front of him,” VanErstvelde said. “He really is a special horse and has inspired others in the area to look at thoroughbreds in a whole new light.” Faith Sampson, in need of a mount while her own horse was recovering from an injury, had the chance to be part of Rumble’s journey as a barrel horse. During this time, Rumble became Sampson’s partner while VanErstvelde dedicated her attention to developing her greener horses. “It has been such an amazing opportunity to get the chance to work with Let’s Rumble,” Sampson stated. “Never in my wildest dreams would I [have] thought I would like a Thoroughbred, let alone an [Off the Track Thoroughbred] – but Rumby has changed my opinion on them completely. So much, in fact, I ended up getting my own OTTB with hopes I can train him to be just like Rumby.” While he continues to enjoy his barrel training, Rumble also enjoys going on trail rides, playing in the water, and has even taken on the role of a lesson horse for VanErstvelde’s beginner boyfriend. “More than any competition or time he’s ran, I’m so happy that he gets to enjoy being his whole goofy self,” said VanErstvelde. “Thank you for doing everything you do for these guys! I never would have imagined the impact my Rum boy has had on my life – every day he has the ability to put a smile on my face no matter the circumstances.”  

When professional Hunter/Jumper trainer Joyce Brinsfield of Ballyhigh Show Stable, Ltd. received a call from her long-time friend Paula Singer one day in March 2021, she knew she would soon be a part of a new journey.
After 25 years of friendship, it didn’t take much to convince Brinsfield to accompany Singer to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-Accredited Kentucky Equine Adoption Center in Nicholasville, KY to meet SAVE ME PAULA- a 2017 Super Saver gelding in need of a new home.

By: Mary Eddy/NYRA When a graded stakes-placed dark bay gelding named Digger crossed the finish line third in the 2011 Mister Diz at Pimlico Race Course, his connections knew it was time for the veteran of 39 starts to turn the page and look to a new life beyond the racetrack. It was then that he was sent to New Vocations – a non-profit that retrains and rehomes retired racehorses – and adopted by Verena Brassfield to spend the rest of his days on a tranquil 600-acre farm in Tennessee. “I’ve always had a thing for thoroughbreds and I couldn’t ask for a better horse,” said Brassfield. “I had a thoroughbred before him who passed away, and at first, I didn’t want another horse. But then someone gave my husband the website for New Vocations, and the first picture I saw was my baby. I said, ‘That’s him.’ A week after I applied, I got a call that I was approved.” Digger, a Maryland-bred son of Yonaguska, made his first outing as a juvenile in 2006 and graduated at fourth asking by an impressive 9 1/2 lengths that December at Laurel Park. As a sophomore, he captured three more stakes at Laurel in the Deputed Testamony by a dominating 11 3/4 lengths, the Northern Dancer and the Jennings Handicap to close out the year. In 2008, Digger moved north to the NYRA circuit, where he scored a pair of victories at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. The following year saw his greatest Empire State successes when he earned four victories at NYRA tracks, led by a determined score in the Gravesend to cap his productive campaign. Ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Digger showed his typical frontrunning tactics and raced with Pashito the Che tracking close in second. Digger put 1 1/2 lengths between him and Pashito the Che at the stretch call and was able to fend off his determined rival by a nose in a final time of 1:11.66 for six furlongs over the inner dirt. Digger earned one more stakes victory to kick off his 2010 campaign with a 3 3/4-length victory in Laurel Park’s Fire Plug, and visited the winner’s circle for the last time in March 2011 before owner Repole Stable and trainer Bruce Brown decided to retire the evergreen veteran at age 7. “I watched the replays of his races and if someone had told me then that one day he would be mine, I would have told them they were crazy,” Brassfield said. “He was a good racehorse, and he could run, and still can. When he takes off in the paddock, he leaves everybody behind.” Digger was sent to one of New Vocations’ Ohio facilities where he was cared for until Brassfield saw his posting and applied for adoption in the spring of 2012. It was not long before she was approved, and Digger found his forever home. While Digger needed a great deal of patience and commitment to learn how to be ridden beyond racing, Brassfield was determined to help the beloved gelding settle down and enjoy his retirement. New Vocations, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded by Dot Morgan in 1992 and is one of 81 facilities accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), an accrediting body that fundraises and awards funds to its accredited organizations throughout the year. The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and its horsemen support the efforts of the TAA with each owner who participates at a NYRA racetrack donating $10 per start to thoroughbred aftercare. Additionally, horsemen donate 1.5 percent of the purchase price of horses claimed on the circuit to the TAA and to the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association’s (NYTHA) TAKE THE LEAD program, which provides veterinary exams and the funds for transportation and retraining costs for horses at NYRA racetracks. “Digger was donated to our program on February 5, 2012, by Mike Repole and was in our program for four months before he was adopted,” said Anna Ford, the Thoroughbred Program Director for New Vocations. “He was a very classy guy.” Brassfield said Digger has been the best teacher she could ask for. “He’s so happy, but in the beginning, he was crazy,” said Brassfield, with a laugh. “He was headstrong and if the boy doesn’t like you, you’ll know it. He’s honest, and I said, ‘Even if I can’t ever ride him, he has his forever home.’ He gives me everything I need just by being here. He taught me more than any horse could have taught me.” 10 years after stepping off the racetrack and with much patience and gradual improvements, Digger enjoys some light riding and flatwork and has settled in beautifully to his retirement. Brassfield describes Digger as “a puppy,” his gentle nature and intelligence allowing him to teach even the youngest of horse lovers. “I started training him and working with him every day,” said Brassfield. “He’s good with kids – another boarder at the farm says Digger is the only horse she trusts with her 3-year-old daughter. He’s not spooky, he’s willing and there’s nothing I can’t throw at him that’s he’s not willing to accept. He has a sense of humor and likes things a certain way.” Digger, who once ran Beyer Speed Figures exceeding 100, leads a quieter life these days, enjoying his time out of the spotlight and with his devoted owner. Though he is a bit limited in his abilities under tack, Digger enjoys the occasional trail ride and flatwork, along with his time to himself in his large paddock with a herd of friends. “He does trail riding and we did lessons for a little dressage, but other than that, he’s leisure and pleasure. He has 30 or 40 acres to roam with about eight other horses. He loves it and loves being out there,” Brassfield said. “All the mares in the pasture are his according to him. He has made one friend that came two months ago, a quarter horse

By: Mary Eddy/NYRA

In January of 2006, a plain bay named Strummer made his connections proud as he crossed the finish line first in the $65,000 Jimmy Winkfield to score his first stakes victory.

Nearly 17 years after posting his biggest accomplishment on the racetrack, Strummer is still putting smiles on the faces of those around him as one of 16 retired racehorses who have found a home at Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center, N.Y.

After 12 starts in the States, the son of Flower Alley ran an additional 23 races at Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico. In 2020, “Vinny” was able to return home to the mainland with the help of TAA-accredited Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare and the willingness of TAA-accredited aftercare charities in the U.S. to take in these horses upon their return.

When One More Broad arrived at Hope’s Legacy in September of last year, he had already lived two lives- one as a racehorse, the other as a show horse. 
After only six starts on the track, earning just $4,260, the son of Broad Brush spent the next 21 years as a competition horse before he was ready to enjoy retirement. At the ripe old age of 24, it was certainly time.

Just two months after completing his last work at Ellis Park, the Madaket Stables-owned, Steve Asmussen trainee retired with a record of 3-3-2 to TAA-accredited Second Stride.

Named after WWII war hero and MLB professional baseball player Leland Victor Brissie, meet Lou Brissie, the retired graded stakes winner.

Despite being the son of  Godolphin’s 2008 Eclipse Award winning stallion, Midshipman, Secret Deployment lacked interest in racing.

Impressive John R served as an equine-assisted therapy horse for 9 years at TAA-accredited Central Kentucky Riding for Hope.