Page 94 - 2021 TAA Magazine

SANCTUARY
The Exceller Fund REHABILITATION

RETRAINING/ADOPTION

TESTIMONIAL:
“In addition to
bringing together
several dedicated
organizations, TAA
has been extremely
instrumental in
expanding
aftercare awareness
and support
throughout the
racing industry.”

FOUNDED: 1997
ADDRESS:
P. O. Box 4237
Lexington, KY 40544
EMAIL CONTACT:
info@excellerfund.org
The Exceller Fund’s horses enjoy retirement at approved facilities located in four states.
MAIN CONTACT:
In the beautiful springtime of 1997, American in various areas, including rehab from injuries, Nicole Smith
Hall of Fame champion Exceller was led to his retraining, and dealing with geriatric cases. WEB ADDRESS:
death in a Swedish slaughterhouse. Five months A major campaign called “Racing Warriors”
later, a group of concerned racing fans came has focused on hard-raced runners with 50 or excellerfund.org
together to form an organization they hoped more career starts who are no longer competi- SOCIAL:
would make a difference in saving other Thor- tive, horses The Exceller Fund describes as the TheExcellerFund
oughbreds from that dark fate. They would call it “unsung heroes of racing.” Because of wear and
The Exceller Fund. tear from long years on the racetrack, many @ExcellerFund
The Exceller Fund has since become one of the simply have no future as riding horses, so The AVERAGE NUMBER OF
best-known, most proactive horse-rescue agen- Exceller Fund networks to provide these perma-
cies in North America, having worked – some- nent retirees sanctuary for life. THOROUGHBREDS PER YEAR:
times in conjunction with other nonprofit rescue Current “Warriors” include Citizen John (132 50

groups – to provide a future beyond the finish line starts), Sweetlandofliberty (139 starts), and Ww

for innumerable ex-racehorses and to transition Conquistador (138 starts). These horses gave
them into successful second careers. The Lexing- years to the sport but were unsuitable as riding
ton, Ky.-based organization today has a nation- horses following their strenuous years on the
wide membership, with monthly pledges begin- track. However, The Exceller Fund partners with
ning as low as $15. It is also supported by grants, a treatment center for troubled youths and some
tax-deductible donations, and money garnered of these warriors have had success as therapy
through major fundraisers. horses. Regardless of their ability following their
The Exceller Fund population, generally racing careers, all have found their forever home
between 45 and 50 horses, boards at private farms, with The Exceller Fund.
with a per diem paid through the organization for The organization also provides sanctuary for

their support. Approved facilities in five states horses with low adoption potential, as well as
have been selected for the quality of their care helping to re-home them.

PAGE 92 DAILY RACING FORM