Page 93 - 2021 TAA Magazine

Susan S. Donaldson SANCTUARY

Foundation/Mereworth Farm

TESTIMONIAL:
“The Susan S.
Donaldson
Foundation strives
for excellence in
all aspects of its
aftercare operation
and is proud to be
recognized with TAA
accreditation. The
TAA is an outstanding
resource for providing
the best care possible
to the Mereworth
Farm residents.”
EQUISPORT PHOTOS
Established in 1924, Mereworth Farm was a prominent racing and breeding operation that now
provides lifelong care for horses under the direction of the Susan Donaldson Foundation.
FOUNDED: 1989
ADDRESS:
Set on 1,200 acres in the heart of horse coun- Upon his death, his daughter, Susan Salmon
try, Mereworth Farm has been steeped in the rich Donaldson, acquired the farm from his estate in 4999 Bethel Rd.
tradition of Thoroughbred racing and breeding 1986. Susan also had racing and breeding success Lexington, KY 40511
since its inception in 1924. under the Mereworth banner until her passing in
Established by New York real estate mogul 2011, when she bequeathed the farm to a founda- PHONE:
Walter Salmon Sr., the farm was originally tion she established in 1989. Continuing her fami- (859) 552-7118
created for Salmon to expand his Saratoga- ly’s legacy of commitment to the care of horses, AVERAGE NUMBER OF
based racing string and try his hand at breeding. the foundation’s mission is to provide lifelong
Mirroring his success in real estate, Salmon had care for unwanted horses that would otherwise THOROUGHBREDS PER YEAR:
many accomplishments both on the track and in be threatened with euthanasia because of injury 150
the breeding shed, winning the 1923 Preakness or old age.
Stakes with Vigil and the 1926 and 1929 Preak- Since 2011, the Susan S. Donaldson Founda-
ness Stakes with two Mereworth-breds, Display tion has worked tirelessly to restore and upgrade
and Dr. Freeland. In the early 1930s, Salmon Mereworth Farm to fulfill her vision, renovat-

retired his racing silks and focused on honing his ing pastures and paddocks, replacing fencing,
skills in breeding, putting Mereworth solidly on and renovating barns and other buildings. The
the map as a producer of top-quality racehorses. driving force behind the restoration process was
Upon Salmon’s death, the management of farm manager James T. Boyd and the Mereworth
Mereworth fell to his widow, Elisabeth Davy Farm staff, many of whom worked with Susan
Salmon Gillet, and son, Walter Salmon Jr., who Donaldson throughout her tenure as farm owner.
eventually returned Mereworth-bred horses to Though its racing days may be over, Mere-
the track. Constantly vigilant about proper horse worth Farm still pays homage to the athletes
care, Walter Jr. was heavily vested in cutting- that helped build it by caring for Thoroughbreds
edge research on equine health and welfare; he and horses of other breeds in need of sanctuary.
served for years as president of the Grayson- The nearly 170 horses housed on the farm live out
Jockey Club Research Foundation, an organiza- their lives in large pastures, under the watchful
tion that funds veterinary research for the bene- eye of Boyd and the Central Kentucky Veterinary
fit of all horses. team.

DAILY RACING FORM PAGE 91