CARMA's 2025 Impact Report: Celebrating 17 Years of Second Careers

As we close out 2025, CARMA marks its 17th year of ensuring California’s retiring racehorses transition with dignity and care. To date, we have successfully placed more than 500 horses through our Placement Program and have awarded more than $6.8 million in grants to our aftercare partners.

CARMA 2025 Legacy Project: The Messineo Makeover Scholarship

This year brought meaningful growth and exciting milestones. One highlight was the introduction of the Messineo Makeover Scholarship program, which supported six talented riders and their California Thoroughbreds from the CARMA Placement Program at the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover.

CARMA-sponsored riders delivered standout performances, earning a Reserve Champion Freestyle title, the #1 Junior Rider award, and a $5,000 Top California-Bred Horse Award. Additional highlights included top-six finishes in Competitive Trail, Ranch Work, and Jumpers, as well as strong dressage and hunter performances in divisions with more than 100 competitors. Read more about individual competitors in our makeover wrap up.

Watching our CARMA Graduates compete on a national stage was a powerful reminder of the athleticism, heart, and potential these animals carry long after their racing careers end. The scholarship honors the legacy of Nancy Messineo, whose generosity continues to open doors for both horses and riders.

Carmelita’s Man Competing at the Thoroughbred Makeover 2025 Image Provided Courtesy of Erin Gilmore Photography

Other 2025 Highlights for CARMA include:

Awarding $515,000 in grants to 22 aftercare charity partners
Successfully placing 30 retiring racehorses through our Placement Program into safe, fulfilling second careers.
CARMAthon: New Beginnings brought Thoroughbred aftercare to center stage with a Hollywood-inspired fundraiser and a viral feature trailer spotlighting life after racing. The campaign raised more than $200,000, surpassing its $150,000 goal.
CARMA co-sponsored the inaugural Thoroughbred High Point Award at the Santa Anita CSI3* and CSI5*-W Split Rock Jumping Tour in partnership with 1/ST and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, recognizing top-performing Thoroughbreds in second careers and awarding $2,000, a Santa Anita race-day package, and a high point ribbon to weekly winners.
Named a semifinalist for the 19th Annual Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, What Horses Do After Racing: The Story of Good Carma is a children’s book by CARMA board member Jay Privman that honors the Thoroughbred journey beyond the track. All proceeds support CARMA’s mission.
Launching an updated donor management platform that enables recurring donations and strengthening ongoing donor relationships.
Increasing our Placement Program capacity to 25 horses, ensuring more retiring racehorses have a smooth pathway from track to their next chapter.
Continuing our collaboration with the Michael Nyuis Foundation in the 2025 MNF Charity Show & Christmas Market: Featuring the Thoroughbred Classic, supporting young equestrians and celebrating Thoroughbreds through events that expand awareness and appreciation for these remarkable athletes in their second careers.
Sharing aftercare stories and advocating for industry-wide participation through regular industry features. A few of this year’s noteworthy stories follow below:

We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to CARMA’s mission this year. Your support ensures that every retiring racehorse has the chance to thrive in a second career—because the finish line isn’t the end of their story.

For more information about CARMA and our grant programs, please visit carma4horses.org.

Last Chance for 2025 Tax-Deductible Donations

This is your final opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation to CARMA before the year ends.

Donations may be sent to: CARMA, 285 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 (Tax ID #80-0146395) or made online.