FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Lucinda Mandella
Arcadia, CA – April 12, 2008
CARMA Retirement Roundtable Produces Immediate Results
The first retirement roundtable hosted on April 8th by the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) at Santa Anita Racetrack was a success, particularly for one injured racehorse in Northern California. CARMA Board members stepped up to pay for a necessary surgery for Fabuloso, a 4-year-old filly by Smoke Glacken with a hind ankle fracture. Her prognosis for a full recovery and life in a second career is excellent.
Fabuloso’s fate was brought to the attention of the group by Bonnie Adams of CANTER (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses). She joined more than 40 representatives of retirement and rescue organizations. Participants included Caroline Betts of Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, Grace Belcuore of CERF, Pricilla Clark of Tranquility Farm, Dawn Mellen of After the Finish Line, Joell Dunlap of Square Peg Foundation, Helen Meredith of United Pegasus Foundation, Susan Schwartz of Heaven Can Wait, and Karin Wagner of Neigh Savers Foundation. Representing CARMA were Madeline Auerbach, Board Chair, board member Jan Hawthorne, Marsha Naify, Vice Chair, and Executive Director Lucinda Mandella.
Also in attendance was Dr. Jaymie Noland of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, who presented information on a pilot program currently underway to evaluate and place ex-racehorses. Currently, two horses are being evaluated by students on conformation, medical condition and injuries, soundness, and temperament. Once the evaluation is complete the horses will be available for sale into appropriate careers. The goal is to build a program that can be duplicated in other university systems.
CARMA’s goal in hosting the “Racehorse Retirement Roundtable” was to bring together representatives from non-profit groups working to save ex-racehorses. Discussions focused on the long-term plans of the major retirement facilities in California for perpetual operation, networking and communication between retirement groups, and resources for improved operation and efficiency by non-profit groups.
Auerbach stressed the importance of all the organizations working together and supporting each other in trying to do what is best for the horses. The discussion focused on how that goal can be achieved. “We have to put our differences aside and do what is best for the horses. I have no doubt that everyone in this room is as big a horse-lover as I am,” said Auerbach. “They have to come first.”
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