Daddy's Teller joined the WV Stables barn in the summer of 2018. After six month running under our green and orange silks, he was sold in a private sale in December 2018. According to Equibase, he ran through July of 2019. Last fall he was purchased by Sarah Murphy and began a new life at her farm. Currently, he goes by the name of Teller and has a new best friend, Blazin' Fury. They share a field at Horizons Village in Nellysford, Virginia. Sarah is working on some physical issues that Teller has. He's been lightly ridden a few times.…

Peyton Place, aka Peyton, has been enjoying the warmer spring weather by going on plenty of trail rides recently. Unfortunately, with the recent Coronavirus quarantine our show schedule has been put on hold for now. Luckily, Peyton is continuously work throughout this downtime, and we have taken advantage of the trails behind our boarding facility. We started with short fifteen-minute trail rides to get him comfortable outside of the ring with the trees blowing and animals running across the trail. Throughout this past month we have worked up to an almost 7-mile trail ride. Peyton has meet plenty of new friends including squirrels, deer, sheep, cows…

At Wasabi Ventures Stables, we are dedicated to safe and secure aftercare not only for our own horses but for all horses. As such, almost every week we promote a retired racehorse who is available for adoption. We also interview aftercare groups on a regular basis to promote their programs. With the impact of COVID-19 affecting so many people and businesses, I decided that this month rather than interviewing a new group, I'd reach out to aftercare groups whom I'd previously interviewed to see what they need in these challenging times. Below I have listed suggestions that were shared with…

On December 15th, 2019, Peyton Place was adopted from Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue by Christine McFadden Aguilar and Alyssa Kelly. Peyton’s last race was August 29th, 2018; he earned a total of $13,775 during his racing career with Wasabi Ventures Stables, LLC. Since his last race, Peyton was given time off to rehabilitate a bowed tendon. After some much needed rest, Peyton started his second career with the aim to compete at the 2020 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in October. The Thoroughbred Makeover is a showcase to display the trainability and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds intended to help these horses transition into their second careers. Currently, the plan is to compete Peyton in the discipline of eventing, which requires three different…

Recently, I had the opportunity to learn more about another TRF Second Chances Program. This off track thoroughbred program (OTTB) is located at the Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida. Farm Manager, John Evans, runs the program and holds the title of Vocational Teacher of Equine Care Technology for the Florida Department of Corrections. The horses are owned by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. This program is supported by Florida Department of Corrections at the Lowell Correctional Institution, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association, Florida Thoroughbred Charities, and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Currently there are 49 retired thoroughbreds housed in this…

This month’s aftercare spotlight focuses on a different type of program, the Equine Science program at the University of Minnesota at Crookston. I was able to speak with Jonathon Holland to learn more about this program and its relationship with Thoroughbred racing. MPK: Tell me a little bit about this program. JH: We offer an Equine Science major and an Equine Science Pre-vet major. In the fall of 2020 we will begin offering an Equine Business Management major. MPK: Can you tell me about the history of the Equine Science program? JH: Our program has been in existence since 1972.…