Kimberly Weir still remembers the date from earlier this year: January 23. She was waiting in the Albany International Airport for her Florida flight so she could attend the Pegasus Invitational and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly-built barn as part of the horse-care program at the Juvenile Justice Center in Ocala.
While waiting, she received a call from Anita Graham, the wife of trainer H. Graham Motion and Executive Director for the Pastures of Point Lookout in Chadds Ford, Pa., about the plans of well-known American artist Jamie Wyeth adopting 10 retired Thoroughbreds to put on his 250-acre farm in honor of his late wife Phyllis Mills Wyeth, owner of 2012 Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags who also won the Saratoga Special and Champagne Stakes as a 2-year-old.
Six months later through a COVID-19 pandemic, those 10 horses from the Wallkill Correctional Facility who were part of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances Program were loaded on a Brook Ledge trailer for the farm. Those horses, ranging from age 11 to 23, raced at least once in their life, including Vow who finished behind multiple graded stakes winner Narjan in an allowance race at Saratoga Race Course in 2002.
“It seemed too good to be true, but this was not,” Weir said. “We were in awe. They are really there now. It’s wonderful and amazing. You cannot make up this stuff. It wasn’t Herculean. Somebody wanted to do this. It was all in baby steps and following through. Mr. Wyeth is a role model.”
Just like with each retired racehorse has his or her own story, Weir has a lot of stories and experiences that drives her energy, enthusiasm, and creativity as Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation since May 2018.
With an M.B.A. from William and Mary, Weir spent numerous years in the private sector. At the same time, she spent most of her life around horses, especially as an equestrian rider. Weir believes she has learned a lot from the horses as they have played an integral part of her life and vision in thoroughbred aftercare.
“These creatures made me who I am today,” she said. “I am fundamentally, profoundly and completely aware of how much I have learned growing up with these creatures. I am excited to be in this role and in the industry of thoroughbred aftercare. As a part of a community, I can help solve this.
“Every racehorse that is born could have a life of happy health care,” she added. “It’s not a luxury. Civilization owes so much to them as well. Our human race wouldn’t be here without them. They have been so important to us and they deserve it. Their magic, value and impact are huge. They are unlike any other creature.”
Two horses who have made their return to the Bloomfield Farm in Saratoga Springs for the summer are Bold Mon and Uptown Joey. Recently, Bold Mon was featured on Steve Caparizzo’s regular segment “Pet Connection” – or “Horse Connection” – on WTEN-10. Weir is hoping that exposure will allow the former Richard Schosberg-trainee become adopted.
“These two are really good examples of adoptable horses for the right situation,” she said. “They’re pets. They’re friendly. They don’t need much, but they love to be loved. We find it hard to believe [Bold Mon] won’t go this summer because he is such a sweetheart. During the filming, he was playing around with the cameraman by putting his nose up to the lens.”
If either horse is adopted, it helps the Adopt One, Save Two program: each time a horse is adopted, there is space for two horses to take into the Thoroughbred aftercare. That has become crucial for anyone who can no longer care for the retired racehorse due to hardships, especially this year due to COVID-19.
“People love their horses,” Weir said. “The first thing they give up is dinner, then they give up their car, then they don’t buy any clothes. At some point, they will call us to give up their horse. I think it will happen this winter, perhaps starting in October with the grain bills and the hay bills.”
Weir said the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has been fortunate this year through the COVID-19 pandemic with the amount of support, donations and sponsors. At the same time, she also has long-term concerns going into the winter due to the uncertainty and lack of events.
“Everyone is asking us if we are OK and people continue to give,” she said. “People have responded by doubling down. We are totally fine this year. I am super terrified for next year. We don’t know what the winter will be. It is all about saving for the long winter ahead. We are looking at the long term and making sure that we are the most sustainable as we can.”
One of the areas that Weir is looking at sustainability is the Sanctuary Guardian program, which allows anyone to make a monthly donation as fundraising can be inconsistent and cyclical while expenses are consistent.
“If someone is giving $10 a month, that’s $120 a year,” Weir said. “To know that it’s coming every month, that is flattening the curve because fundraising is erratic and the expenses are static. It’s just like any seasonal business.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has put a limitation on gatherings and events, Weir has become creative with social events. One of those is the TRF Drive-Thru BBQ at the Saratoga Winery on Aug. 11.
Along with pre-order carry-out dinners that include pulled pork and chicken, as well as choices for pie as dessert, people can drive through a greeting from racing personalities that include Maggie Wolfendale-Morley, Ramon Dominguez, Tom Durkin and Peter Thomas Fornatale. The deadline for preorders is Aug. 7 at noon.
