REHOBOTH — George Brown has successfully bred about a dozen mares a season for the past few years on his 48-acre horse farm near the Rhode Island border. But since a provision in last year’s casino legislation bumped up prize money for Massachusetts thoroughbreds, more aspiring racehorse owners have been calling on Brown and his four stallions.
Today, two dozen foals frolic on his gently sloping Briar Hill Farm — and he expects that number to double again next year.
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Massachusetts racing would get a big boost via strong involvement with programs for horses leaving racing. In 2009, Calder race course in Florida established their racehorse retirement and placement program. That post-racing effort is made up of a dedicated group of volunteers whose purpose is to find adoptive homes for retired thoroughbreds and is dependent upon a continued alliance between race tracks, industry officials, horsemen, owners, trainers, jockeys, and fans. Since its inception, well over 175 horses have entered the Florida TRAC program, with an adoption rate of approximately two-thirds of all entrants. That’s a great return. When people see that there’s post-racing successes for horses, they’ll see racing in a more positive light. Slaughter as an end to their racing days? That colors racing in the worst way. Suffolk Downs, Plainridge Racecourse . . . make racing part of a horse’s life, not the last job it had. http://www.calderracecourse.com/news/archives/calder-honor-retired-thoroughbreds-during-festival-sun