Wee Monie Creek was claimed by Wasabi Ventures Stables in May 2018. In her very first race for WVS she was claimed away. More recently, she seemed to be struggling in her races at Mountaineer. Thanks to some connections, I was able to help with her retirement.

It takes a village

As I worked on making connections in the world of aftercare, I began assembling a list of contacts at tracks where former WVS horses run. I messaged one of those contacts on Facebook a month or so ago to ask about Wee Monie Creek. She said she’d let me know if the owner was interested in retiring her. Then in mid-November the owner expressed interest in retiring her, after running one more race. After that he was glad to sell her to me.

Next began the search for an aftercare program to take her. I spoke with a handful of contacts with various amounts of success. One had a waitlist, and one would require a lengthy (and expensive) ship. Then, one was available and willing to take her.

Racing was cancelled the day of her race, so I reached out to ask about how to proceed. Even with the race cancelled, he was willing to sell her. Now, it was time to find a shipper. With the aftercare farm located four hours away, it took a decent amount of searching and connections, but a ride was found.

Happily ever after for Wee Monie Creek

On Thanksgiving afternoon, Wee was picked up at Mountaineer and hauled to Heart of Phoenix in Lesage, West Virginia. When she arrived that evening, she had a stall awaiting her arrival. I have heard from the barn manager that she is settling in nicely. Plus, they find her to be a very sweet girl.

This is the fourth horse we have purchased for retirement this year. I am truly grateful for my connections that have helped to make the transition from racehorse to retiree possible.

To learn more about other WVS retirees, please click here.

Last week, I was once again amazed by the Wasabi Ventures Stables club members and their commitment to aftercare. On Giving Tuesday, I made a post in our community channel on Slack, naming several charitable, thoroughbred-centric organizations, who they might want to support that day. I also mentioned that The Horse Fund would be glad to accept donations as well.

Within minutes I had received several donations. Shortly thereafter, I received a message from a club member, offering to match $500 in donations. Knowing the nature of our club, I guessed we would raise $1,000 that day, as our club would want to meet that goal.

Or surpass it. . .

We did reach $1,000. . .in two hours. Another club member offered to match the next $500 in donations, which was reached in another two and a half hours. The outpouring of donations continued throughout the day and overnight. By the time Giving Tuesday had ended, we had raised over $4,000. 

I know that the WVS community believes in aftercare, and I have now witnessed many instances of generous donations. However, the actions on Giving Tuesday went above and beyond what I imagined possible. I know that there are many worthy charities, in the world of thoroughbreds and elsewhere. The Horse Fund is not the only group that wants to be supported. And yet, our club gave generously and continuously to this charitable organization.

Truly appreciative

Every day I am grateful that I am able to combine my passion for animals with a charitable initiative to create happy retirements for our horses. On a day like Giving Tuesday, I am humbled and honored to do this in partnership with a community, whose generous nature seems to know no bounds. 

As I wrote a thank you to each donor, I knew it didn’t fully capture how appreciative I am. Instances, such as these, make my heart swell with pride and have me dancing in my office. To all who participated, please know that my thanks were heartfelt and genuine.

I am proud to be the executive director of The Horse Fund and to have the Wasabi Ventures Stables community at my side.