Auction Rescue News
SCTR attempts to attend and record the identities of thoroughbreds at two local auctions which are held the first and second
Saturdays of each month. We do this to document the plight of these horses, to try and contact any past connections that
might be willing or able to take their horse back and to see if any local rescues can help horses we are not able to rescue. The Saturday auction starts horses around 10-11pm and often lasts until 2-3 am. Auctions are chaotic with several hundred people gathered into benches and many standing several rows deep around the auction ring. There are often 30-70 horses going through. Some are haltered, some are not and many are in large pens and it can be difficult to catch them to read their tattoos (you are not allowed to enter the pens with the horses). Many horses are in bad shape and it is distressing for the volunteers to watch horses (often 10-20 per auction), they cannot help month after month. We are very grateful to our volunteers who attend these auctions.
SCTR rescues thoroughbreds from these auctions when space and funds are available. We have to adopt horses to make space
and we have to have the money to provide feed, vet, farrier, boarding and training to the horses in our care (this runs several
hundred dollars per month per horse and we have had many horses for several years) as well as a new arrival. We do not
rescue based upon adoptability, ride-ability or any factor other than need.
Unfortunately, there are always more horses in need than we have space or funds for. Once we have determined we can
rescue a horse, several factors come in to play. Bidding usually takes 2-3 minutes per horse-it's very fast. The horses do not
come through in hip number order and many times the papers and the hip numbers are mixed up by the sellers or the auction
staff. You have to know your hip number, be ready and have to be in a spot where the auctioneer can see you. If a private
party or other rescue steps up, SCTR will generally not bid against them-but you have seconds in a very crowded room to figure
out who is bidding against you. If a horse does fall to a dealer, we can sometimes buy them back at a higher price, but until
the horse is on our trailer, it isn't safe. The horse can still be sold or traded before we get there and there isn't a lot we can do
if that happens. Again, we depend upon our volunteers to make all this happen, and it's not an easy job.
SCTR did not attend the auction this month. The following horses were identified: Monterey Gold (1992), Senor Crafty (2007), Daily Suds (2006), Creston Cowboy (2008), Trouble at Sea (2007) and Bruddah Eugene (2003). An older grey mare and bay gelding were also tattooed, but the tattoos were illegible. Musgrove Cat (2007) was turned away from the auction due to an eye issue and was given away in the parking lot. All but Creston Cowboy and the unidentified older horses were purchased by private parties or other rescues.
March 2013
No thoroughbreds were identified.
February 2013
SCTR did not attend either auction. This was the last Euclid sale. Maryslanetafame (2003), Royal Catch (2006) and Freedom Event (2003) were all on the lot. At Mike's, Jans Antor (2006) was identified.
September 2012
SCTR did not attend either auction this month. At the second auction of the month, Por Que Si (1999), an unidentified bay, teenaged mare, an unidentified bay 3 year old mare and a 4 year old untattooed filly were on the auction lot. The teenaged mare and Por Que Si were purchased by private parties. The fates of the other horses is unknown.
August 2012
At the first auction of the month, 4 neglected TB broodmares were found. Rockin Naga (1993) and Bucks a Smoken (2001) were identified and purchased by local rescues. Both mares were pregnant and apparently on the verge of foundering on severely neglected hooves. At the second auction of the month, Here Comes Bridget (2007), Cardiac (1990) and Fire Glow (2005) were found on the lot. All were rescued by private parties or rescues.
July 2012
SCTR did not attend the first auction of the month. At the second auction of the month, we found Grey Rae (2008), a grey gelding with racing plates on. Snettisham (2008) a bay colt was also present and purchased by a private buyer. Big Roy (2009), Diane's Purchase (1998) a lovely older white mare and 2 unidentified thoroughbreds (a very sweet 10 yr old gelding who may be Grand Quivira, and an older bay mare). Diane's Purchase was apparently terrified and sold for $55. Once again, SCTR was not in a position to help any of these horses.
The first auction of the month SCTR rescued El Rojo Diablo (1999) from an uncertain fate.
SCTR did not attend the second auction this month. The following horses were reported to be on the auction lots:
Mr Golden Goal (2004), Kenter Canyon (2007) and Lotsa Seasons (2000).
May 2012
SCTR did not attend either auction this month. The following horses were reported to be on the auction lots: Cash in the Bank (2002) was at the first auction of the month and tragically found at the second auction a week later having apparently been starved. The following horses were also reported to be at the second auction of the month: Bridal Chatter (2002), Turk's Delight (2007), Long Gone (1998) and Bear River (2007).
April 2012
SCTR did not attend either auction this month. At the second auction, two unidentified TB geldings and a stallion were present.
March 2012
At the first auction of the month, SCTR volunteers identified Real Greeley (2005) who was sold at Euclid in January 2009, a starved Norco Pal (2005), Yard Sale Slew (1998) and Speedy Legend (1997). SCTR was able to buy Real Greeley. Yard Sale Slew was rescued by one of SCTRs friends. A frantic fundraising campaign allowed SCTR to purchase Norco Pal from the feedlot.
Private parties purchased Speedy Legend from the feedlot. **Please Note: SCTR was not involved in any way with the rescue of "Speedy Legend". No past or present volunteers were involved in the fundraising or placement of this mare. It was a private effort based 80 miles northwest of us in another county. Any alleged affiliation with SCTR is incorrect.**
The second auction of the month found Nitro Active (2005) who won over $182,000 on the block. He was rescued by a private party.
The second auction of the month had 2 tattooed TBs and several tattooed Quarter Horses. The first TB was Bobby the Fat Boy (2007) who last raced the week prior at Los Alamitos. The second TB was Gold Stock (2005) who last raced in 2010 at Del Mar. Bobby was purchased by a private buyer and Gold Stock was rescued by SCTR after selling to kill.
The first auction of the month at Euclid, found Scat Thief (2004) winner of almost $200,000 and an unidentified 3 year old black TB colt. Several rescue groups stepped up for Scat Thief and he was ultimately purchased by Whispering Meadows Ranch in Temecula. The black colt went to a private buyer.
January 2012
The second auction of the month found 6 tattooed and 2 untattooed thoroughbreds on the lot. The tattooed thoroughbreds were: Pyrites Gifted Girl (1994) who raced 32 times, Smooth in Public (2005) who last raced in 2009, the lovely Vamp(GB) (2001), beautifully bred Red Beach (2002) who raced 47 times, Pancho and Cisco (2009) who raced at Los Alamitos in December and Halfa (ARG) (1999). There were also a stallion and a mare who were not tattooed. Pyrites Gifted Girl was purchased for $85 by friends of the owner in the audience. Vamp (GB) was rescued by SCTR. Pancho and Cisco and Halfa were purchased by private parties. Unfortunately, Smooth in Public, Red Beach and the two untattoed horses were not so fortunate.
Several private parties and one rescue attempted to raise funds and rescue Smooth in Public and Red Beach on our FanPage (a practice which has since been banned as it creates confusion over who will be taking the horses). Unfortunately, the horses were sold to an unknown buyer by the time funds were raised and a trailer sent to pick them up. SCTR and its volunteers were in no way connected to this effort. We did try and help with identification when word came the horses might have been shipped to Nevada, but we were at no time accepting funds or offering placement as several persons had already stepped up to provide care if the horses were found.**
The first auction of the month found Majestic Continent (2004) who last raced at Santa Anita in 2007, Wager the Farm (2005) who raced at Los Alamitos the week prior, Native Promise (2005) who raced at Los Alamitos at the beginning of the month and an older unidentified bay TB mare with a faded tattoo. Only Native Promise was saved.
At the second auction of December, Brite Shiny Beads (2004) who was unraced, Joe's Madame (2007) who last raced at Los Alamitos in July, 2011, an un-tattoed 4 year-old TB mare who was too slow per her owner of 4 days, and a dark bay bay un-tattoed TB-type stallion were found. Brite Shiny Beads sold for $60 to the feedlot, Joe's Madame was purchased by a private buyer, the 4 year old mare sold for $100 to the feedlot and the stallion sold for $55 to the feedlot. In the days following, all the TBs at the feedlot were rescued by private parties. A nice Holiday present !!!!
November 2011
In November 2011, 4 thoroughbreds were found. 2 were not identified: a chestnut gelding who sold to a private buyer for $170 and an older bay mare who sold for $45 to a feedlot. SCTR friends and volunteers also identified 2 thoroughbreds: Glenda (2005), a very sweet, underweight grey mare with terrible hooves. She had a reserve of $500 and did not sell. Her owner was approached after the sale and Glenda is now at her new home with a Facebook friend in Riverside. Also at the auction: OMG (BRZ) (2003) who raced 12 times in Brazil including a commanding win in the G3 2007 Gavea - Grande Premio Professor Nova Monteiro. He was then shipped to California where he ran once at Santa Anita and 3 times at Hollywood Park for total career earnings of $35,952. He was purchased by an SCTR Facebook Friend.
October 2011
In October 2011, SCTR volunteers identified 4 Thoroughbreds: Shadow Queen (2006), a lovely bay mare who placed first in her race 6/10/11, 2nd in a race 7/9/11 and 6th in her last race 7/31/11. She earned over $45,000 in 34 starts. Poke Along (1993) who last raced in 1997 and had 4 registered thoroughbred foals from 2000-2006, was also at auction. Her owner claimed she was bred in September to a black Andalusian. Buckaroo Slew (2002) a dark brown gelding who raced 18 times and spent the last 2 years as a barrel racer. A dark bay mare tentatively identified as Cutcando (1993) was also at auction. All four horses ended up on the feedlot with 5 days to find funds, homes/rescues and transport. The feedlot owner also stated he had another gelding, Northern Swap, who last raced in May 2011, had been dropped off to him directly. SCTR was able to network with a local rescue and raise funds to get Shadow Queen to safety. Poke Along, Northern Swap and Buckaroo Slew were all rescued by private parties we met at the auction. Congrats to the new owners and a heart-felt THANK YOU!!
September 2011
In September 2011, we again attended one of the monthly auctions and identified Warren's Misty (2006) an unraced TB mare, a dark bay mare with a Z tattoo and pregnant mare Cot on the Run. There were several underweight mares and geldings, multiple minis and a llama. We were again unable to help any of these horses.
August 2011
In August 2011, we attended only one of the two monthly auctions. Unfortunately SCTR is not at the time of writing able to take in any additional horses due to slow adoptions and donations and increased hay costs, so we weren't able to help any of the thoroughbreds we found there. We identified by tattoo the gelding Normandy (2004), who we have seen run through local auctions twice already this year. He sold for $110. We also identified beautifully bred mare Diametrale (GB) (1994), by Septieme Ciel, who raced in Florida but has been a broodmare in California in recent years. She was at auction with her three year old un-raced filly who we believe is by Momentum. Both sold in the $100-$150 range. In addition, an older dark bay mare with a faded tattoo who might have been Kick the Can or Whata Mind or D.D.'s Intended based on her tattoo sold for $85. There were also three young thoroughbreds who were not tattooed, a filly and two geldings, with the two geldings identified as being unregistered three year old TBs. The filly was the only one of these thoroughbreds who sold for more than $150. Very sad that we were unable to help any of these horses.
July 2011
In July 2011, SCTR volunteers identified Great White Eagle (1996), Skin to Win (2003), Blutelltwo (1991), White Ray (2007) and were unable to identify three dark bay TB mares on the auction lot. A private party who connected with us through Tranquility Farm attended the auction, rescuing Skin to Win and Blutelltwo (sorry no photographs). Approximately 100 horses were on the auction lot this day, and roughly 40 of them sold to a single dealer.
In June 2011, SCTR volunteers found teen-aged chestnut mare tentatively identified as Illini Moon (1995), grey mare Tizfordalentony (1997), an unidentified tattooed older bay gelding, an unidentified tattooed teen-aged chestnut gelding, and an un-raced but tattooed bay gelding named Bien Bien Luis (2006). Unfortunately, we were not in a position to rescue any of them.
March 2011
Volunteers found Watching Stars (2004) a chestnut gelding by Songandaprayer who last raced in 2007, thin and pretty beat up with a hind leg injury, on the auction lot, and believe that he found a private buyer for $140. We hope that he is safe. In addition, Shine the Light (2002), a jumper, and chestnut mare Houston's Tiara (2005) also a jumper who last raced at Los Al in 2008 were consigned, with Shine the Light not meeting his reserve of $1000, and Houston's Tiara selling for $1000 to a private party. When race-horses are re-trained effectively - they can survive the lottery of an auction lot. Thanks to all the private parties who showed up to help thoroughbreds on this evening.
April 2011
Volunteers found Texas Devil (2005), a bay gelding who last raced and was injured at Los Alamitos in 2010, and Blackjack N Beers (2006), also a former Los Alamitos racehorse and a 2006 VA bred gelding on the auction lot. Able to get word out to friends from Los Alamitos about Texas Devil, he was rescued for $150 by Jenny E. while SCTR was able to rescue Blackjack N Beers with a promise of sponsorship from friends in VA who had helped raise him as a youngster. Registered but un-tattooed stallion Star of the Realm (2003) was not rescued.
At the second auction of the month, volunteers found several thoroughbreds, including un-raced mare Golden Award (2002), gelding Sherry's Topper (2007) who last raced at Santa Anita in 2010, and chestnut mare Watercraft (1997). Sherry's Topper and Golden Award were purchased by private parties, and Watercraft was purchased by a dealer but rescued the following day by a private party.
As an additional note, a significant number of young tattooed thoroughbreds, some recently raced, were located by a local trainer on a local "dealer's lot", including Thrasher (2006), Get Em Up (2007), and Warrens Luckystorm (2008). None were rescued before they shipped.
March 2011
In March 2011, SCTR volunteers numerous thoroughbred mares on auction lots. At the first auction of the month, older mares Caro Pacifica (1989), Candle in the Win (1994), and Something Bonnie (1990) were seen. Unfortunately, their outcomes are unknown.
February 2011
At the first auction of the month, volunteers found un-raced gelding Bueno Trick (2005), filly Playa Coco (2008) who had raced at Fairplex as a 2yo, and Exposure (2002) showed up again. Three bay thoroughbred mares were also present but not identified. The outcomes of these horses are unknown. At the second auction of the month, chestnut mare Power Annie (1997) and 3yo unbroken colt Warren's Relic were found on the auction lot. Their outcomes are also unknown.
January 2011
In January 2011 at the first auction of the month, dark bay gelding Heywatchulookingat (2005) who was an early scratch from the first race at Los Alamitos on the morning of the auction was found. He sold to a private buyer. At the second auction of the month, three thoroughbred mares were found, one pregnant and not identified, Le Sured and Exposure (2002). Exposure was back at auction the following month.
December 2010
In December 2010, again at the first auction of the month there were several thoroughbred broodmares that we were unable to identify. In addition, the mare Soto Grande (1998) was identified. None of these horses were rescued.
In November 2010, at the first auction of the month, we found five year old Forestry stallion Pious on the auction lot. Pious was rescued by SCTR for $300 on behalf of Tranquility Farm. We also found gelding Normandy, back again at the auction, his outcome is unknown. And 1999 chestnut gelding Variety Show was purchased by a horse trader, and back at auction again in December 2010.
October 2010
In October, an SCTR volunteer was horrified to find a consignment of 20 thoroughbreds, including three breeding stallions, a large group of (pasture) bred mares, and their youngsters on an auction lot, many of them in horrible condition. Thirteen of them were purchased by a single dealer. All but one (to our knowledge) of these we were subsequently able to facilitate the rescue of from the dealer, thanks to a large effort by several local non-profits and private individuals.
September 2010
In September 2010, at the first auction of the month, SCTR volunteers found several thoroughbred mares they were unable to identify, and also 2005 bay mare Saundree, who had been at an earlier auction and sold well, now thinner. Unfortunately, we were not able to rescue at this auction. At the second auction of the month, SCTR volunteers found a proximately teen-aged and tattooed thoroughbred gelding at auction, but were unable to identify him from his tattoo. He was rescued from a kill dealer after the auction, as the auctioneer failed to notice or record our bid. The gelding remains unidentified, but we have called him Hansen and he is doing well.
August 2010
In August 2010, SCTR volunteers found at auction Place Cowboy (IRE), a former graded stakes competitor and California sire - now gelded - and rescued him for $220.
May 2010
On Kentucky Derby Day 2010, SCTR attended auction and found two tattooed thoroughbreds without their papers, which would both sell without reserve. One we identified as being four year old gelding, Dixie Passion (Dixie Union - Small Town Girl (General Meeting)), who sold for $80,000 at Keeneland's 2007 Yearling Sale and earned $44,620 in his short career as a three year old in California spanning 9 starts, 1 win and 1 third place finish. We rescued Dixie Passion for $275. The other, a filly, we were unable identify because our volunteer was working alone and the filly too afraid to permit her tattoo to be read. She was purchased by a horse dealer for $200, who subsequently re-sold her as a broodmare - which was highly preferable to her alternative re-sale usage.
April 2010
In April, SCTR volunteers found three tattooed thoroughbreds on the auction lot. Poor Backatitagain, a beautifully bred 13 yo gelding by Unbridled and from a Saratoga Six mare, who earned $88,000 in his racing career which spanned 36 races in four years including a start in the G2 Pan American Handicap, had been previously spotted by volunteers at auction just two months' earlier where he sold for $275 to a horse trader. Backatitagain once sold at Keeneland for $200,000 as a yearling and was no-saled a year later for $325,000 as a two year old in training. Now back at the auction again, Backatitagain sold for $150 to a kill buyer but was "no-saled" as his horse trader owner attempted to extract a few more dollars of residual value. SCTR volunteers negotiated his freedom for $300 and he is now in our care. That same day, 6 year old Dixie Union gelding from a Hennessy mare, Mojitoville - once a Keeneland Yearling $140,000 RNA - whose career began at Oaktree and ended at Los Alamitos, sold for $475 to a “private buyer”. Clearly foundered, Mojitoville may show up again, and we’ll continue looking for him. And 5 year old Freespool mare Saundree, whose five month racing career began at Santa Anita and ended at Los Alamitos, sold for more than $500 to a private buyer – a very good price indeed for an off track thoroughbred at a low end auction.
February 2010
In February 2010, SCTR attended a local horse auction and found ten thoroughbreds, including unraced 9yo mare Season Premier, 4yo gelding Deltamax who had last raced in November 2009, unraced but tattooed 5yo old gelding True Blue Cat, 6yo gelding Aspen High who raced extensively at Los Alamitos, 4yo gelding Reigning Roses who last raced in 2009, lovely retrained 13 yo off track gelding Backatitagain, an unidentified tattoed 7yo mare, two recently off track geldings unidentified, and an unttattoed chestnt gelding. True Blue Cat, Aspen High, Reigning Roses, and Backatitagain appeared to find private homes; the unidentied horses and Season Premier were not so fortunate; Deltamax was rescued by SCTR for $75 to fill our one remaining quarantine space. Deltamax had a recent bite or kick injury to his neck, which broke some blood vessels, and is currently being treated by a veterinarian. Thanks to SCTR friends Judy and Tracey for contributing to Max's rescue and quarantine costs; and a debt of gratitude is owed to The Exceller Fund and a number of other donors for helping us cover Max's initial and significant vet bills. It turns out that Max is a great great grandson of Exceller!
January 2010
On the first weekend of 2010, SCTR attended auction. Very few horses were up for sale, and very few buyers attended to provide them with homes. SCTR identified a single thoroughbred, young mare Rosa Rugosa, who had been previously "rescued" at auction by her current owners, who no longer felt able to care for her. At this auction, Rosa's owners "no-saled" her, and donated her to SCTR, when the only bidder was a kill buyer. Rosa is now safe with SCTR, and a truly lovely mare.
On the second weekend of 2010, SCTR attended auction, and found four young off track thoroughbreds; four year old gelding Speaking, four year old recent gelding Rushisright with two bowed tendons one of them very fresh, six year old gelding Marcus of Duchenne, and four year old filly Warrens Justastorm. Marcus of Duchenne sold to a group of 4-H bidders; SCTR was able to rescue only two horses due to quarantine space limitations - Rushisright and Speaking; while Warrens Justastorm appeared to sell to a female buyer. Subsequent research revealed that in fact the filly had been purchased by the woman on behalf of a local kill buyer, and we were able to rescue her directly from him a week later with the help of another CA non profit rescue organization - thank you! - where she is now being quarantined. Thanks are due to our friend Judy, for contributing to the costs of this rescue effort.
December 2009
In December, SCTR attended auction and was able to help two tattoed geldings escape a trip to Mexico for slaughter. "Bear", a bay gelding not yet identified, was purchased from the kill buyer that bid to win him immediately following his purchase. "Boffi" we were able to save by bidding against a kill buyer for $100.
There were several other thoroughbreds at the sale. Fortunately, three long yearlings by Momentum found private buyers; a three year old stallion, Warrens Mr Storm, did not meet his reserve at the high bid of $150; and a ten year old mare, Pas de Chaine, escaped all bidding - her old injured knee meant that she was too lame for the auctionhouse to sell. A yearling filly, Warrens Shanaz, did not appear to be run through the ring.
We are grateful to FOBs Janice, Judy, and Tracey; to members of the Facebook Cause "Save Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses From Slaughter", including Pam Stone and her friends and Sharla Sanders and her friends; and to those who participated in Debbye Harmon's online Avon fundraising event for SCTR; for donating to help us rescue and care for these two lovely geldings. We are also grateful to the former connections of "Boffi" for caring about him, and offering to help support his rescue .
August 2009
In August 2009, with the tremendous support of donors from our Facebook Cause and Group, from the Fans of Barbaro, and
from anonymous individual donors, we were able to rescue three young thoroughbreds at auction, and also three thoroughbreds
from the feedlot that had been bought at the auction by a kill buyer. Thank you to everyone that contributed to this rescue!
Warrens Rahysgold, a 5yo gelding, had been run through auction in July and was back one month later, now stiff and swollen in
his knees. This lovely large gelding also has a large bowed tendon, which appears to be old. We were able to rescue him for
$275. Three year old Mont La Salle somehow found himself on the auction lot in August also, rather thin and depressed, just
months after his last race at Santa Anita. We rescued him for $225. Der Van, a four year old gelding, never raced or put in a
published work, but his tattoo tells us he had been at a racetrack sometime in his short life...We rescued him for $225.
Miss Apollita, a 5yo mare who had raced just a week earlier at Los Alamitos was also at the auction and purchased by a private
bidder.
We really thought that Bertrando's Flag, a six year old large good looking gelding by leading sire Bertrando, under English tack,
would sell privately - but no, he was purchased by a kill buyer. With the financial support of the Fans of Barbaro, we were able
to subsequently rescue him from the feedlot for $350. Lovely 12 yo Irish Katie was ridden through the ring under western
tack and sold to a kill buyer for $75. Again, the Fans of Barbaro came with support to allow us to purchase her from the feedlot
and quarantine her.
On the original pickup of Bertrando's Flag and Irish Katie from the feedlot, a case of mistaken identity meant that actually Katie
had been left behind - and we had rescued a three year old bay filly instead...hmm, well, that's never happened to us before!
Rest assured that we went back and rescued the "real" Katie, and now happily have a sixth horse, the three year old untattoed
filly from the feedlot, also in our care 
We are calling her "Mysterious".
June 2009
On Belmont Stakes day, the first Saturday in June, SCTR attended auction and found four young off track thoroughbreds. Mi
Silver Riches, an unraced four year old filly who had worked just two weeks prior at Santa Anita, and an unidentified gelding
with a bowed tendon we were unable to save. Efforts to retrieve them in the 48 hours after the auction were unsuccessful.
However, with limited funds and space, SCTR was able to rescue Lulu's Nick, 4 year old gelding by Skimming, who raced 6 times
in southern California for his owner/breeders, and last worked on November 26 2008 at Santa Anita, and stable mate Ginobili,
4 year old gelding by In Excess who had earned in excess of 150K at the races and broke down in December 2008 at Hollwood
Park, on behalf of Tranquility Farm.
On the second Saturday in June, SCTR found many thoroughbreds at auction, including 1990 mare L is for Love, 2005 gelding
Beat Richy, Free House mare Smokey Gal and her three week old quarterhorse cross foal, and 2004 gelding by Free House,
Free Sammy. All but Free Sammy appeared to be purchased by private buyers, and we rescued Free Sammy for $85.
We would like to thank the Fans of Barbaro, and Lynn Wells of the Toby Wells Foundation, for providing the funds required to
rescue these three young geldings.
May 2009
On Kentucky Derby Day, on the first Saturday of May in 2009, SCTR attended a local auction and found six beautiful young
thoroughbreds, many arriving from local racetracks, as well as two older broodmares. Beautiful three year old fillly, First
Condition, who had raced as recently as April 23rd at Hollywood Park, sold for $500 to a private buyer. Unraced but tattoed four
year old filly Anacaona was rescued for $250 by a local hunter-jumper trainer. We are guardedly optimistic that nineteen year
old mare Rainbow Twist and eighteen year old Drive Thru Daquiri, were purchased by private buyers. SCTR purchased on behalf
of Red Bucket Equine Rescue an untattoed three year old filly, who is currently in quarantine with SCTR. And SCTR, with
tremendous donor support, was able to rescue three lovely geldings bidding against kill buyers.
Five year old Luis's Especial, earner of $183,000, last raced at Santa Anita in February, and had "worked" in March.This
handsome boy deserved better than to be rescued at a livestock auction for $250, with a right front ankle injury. Four year old
Alternative Time is unraced, but had worked on April 24 at local training facility, Fairplex. We rescued him for $300, and he has
clean legs. Enormous three year old Apache, who hadn't worked since the summer of 2008 at Hollywood Park, has an old, set
bow tendon, but his prospects for a second career are good.
to Karen; and to Sandra, who all contributed to our ability to help these lovely horses on Kentucky Derby Day.
April 2009
rescue three horses at auction. A young tattoed gelding, colicky throughout the auction, unhappy, and kicking at his stomach;
and two older broodmares, one of which was stated to have been "accidentally bred" to an Appendix stallion two months' ago by
her owner. We are in the process of trying to identify these three lovely horses, and updates will be posted to the "Horses in
Rehab" page of this website. The young gelding's colic had ceased completely by the following morning when we picked him up.
All three horses are currently in quarantine.
March 2009
In March 2009, SCTR attended two local auctions.
At the first, we were able to rescue an unnamed three year old thoroughbred filly, "Classy", from slaughter: she had been
"adopted out" a month earlier in February 2009 by a veterinary hospital which was not in a financial position to have us return
her to it. In addition, we rescued the lovely gelding Icanmakeitrain, whose former racing owners were appalled to learn of his
fate, and are planning to retire him to their own private farm. We thank Dawn Mellen of After The Finish Line for intermediating
the return of Icanmakeitrain to the former owners that care about him.
We also purchased the lovely fifteen year old thoroughbred gelding, Souvenir Trip, and 25 year old running quarterhorse Son of
a Hussy on behalf of Front Range Equine Rescue in Colorado. We are extremely grateful to Front Range Equine Rescue for
offering to help two additional horses at this auction. While it was wonderful to be able to help these four horses, eight other
thoroughbreds, including three tattoed broodmares, a four year old tattoed filly, a two year old High Brite colt, and California sire
Deep Pass were left behind. If you would like to support the auction rescue of additional horses, please donate! We hate leaving
horses behind.
Classy is in rehab. We are deeply grateful to the Fans of Barbaro for supporting the rescue of Classy (now renamed Lola).
At the second auction in March, SCTR was thrilled to be able to rescue three additional horses as the result of a significant
donation to support their purchase and care. We are deeply grateful to Lynn and Lloyd Wells of the Toby Wells Foundation for
their support of these horses. Lovely thirteen year old racemare and broodmare, Belleau Wood, by Alleged and out of a Forli
mare, who once sold for $95,000 as a yearling at Keeneland, was rescued for $150. Six year old gelding Cascade Mtn, by Moscow
Ballet - whose former owners were horrified to learn of his being sold at auction - was rescued for $110. And the lovely eighteen
year old gelding, Swing's Lew, by Santa Anita handicap winner Swing Till Dawn and out of a stakes producing Seattle Slew mare,
who earned $99,000 racing in California and was sold at auction with a fresh suspensory injury presumably resulting from a
jumping incident (he has been a hunter-jumper lesson horse in San Diego) was rescued for $120. They are all in quarantine
with our friend Casey O'Connor at The Golden Carrot horse rescue and sanctuary. We are grateful to the breeder and former
owner of Swing's Lew for supporting his care with us.
SCTR also identified lovely mares ten year old Go Girl Go, and Road to Kisses, at this auction, as well as the four year old gelding
Serene Justice. All sold to private parties.
February extra rescue News!
In mid February, as we were intermediating the rescue of other horses from the dealer's lot, SCTR became aware that the
lovely four year old filly, Rainbows at Aloha, had been on the lot in deep mud for several weeks with badly swollen knees. She
had arrived there just weeks after racing at Hollywood Park on December 13, and was running out of time to find a good home.
We purchased "Rainbow" (new name suggestions welcome :)) and she is now in rehab with us (see Horses in Rehab).
February 2009
In February 2009, SCTR attended two auctions.
At the first, there were nine tattoed thoroughbreds present. Two were purchased by our friend Kim of Painted Spirit Ranch.
SCTR was pleased to be able to purchase two more; four year old unraced filly, Lookingformrdunbar, by Crowning Storm, and
the lovely broodmare Besidestillwaters on behalf of Tranquility Farm. While we were waiting to bid on Besidestillwaters, we
received a phonecall from her former owner in Florida, who wanted her back! Besidestillwaters spent a brief period at Tranquility
Farm, before shipping to Florida and is now happily reunited with her former owner.
In addition, our friend Maggi contacted the ranch manager who had recently given away Lookingformrdunbar, and appalled at
her fate, he immediately offered to take her back to Rancho Paseana. Unfortunately, she was not the only horse that had been
given away by the farm in the preceding days, and it turned out that another lovely young racemare by Cryptoclearance, Ask
Sam, had been purchased by a kill buyer at the auction for $125. Fortunately, we were able to arrange for the farm to buy her
back and both horses are now safely back at the farm that they had left just days earlier.
Two Los Alamitos racehorses - the sweet mare Kickin Stars, and Western Fame gelding Tamerlane Rising who had raced just
two weeks earlier - also sold at the auction for a total of $250 to a kill buyer. By putting the word out about their fate, we were
able to reunite Tamerlane Rising with his former owner, and Kickin Stars is now at Tranquility Farm being supported by the
owner of her full sister. Lovely grey mare, Silky Goose, was brought through the auction, but did not meet her reserve. To
ensure her safety from slaughter, SCTR arranged her adoption directly off the kill buyer's lot. The ninth thoroughbred at the
auction, Deserts Honey Cup, was purchased by an unknown private party. More on her below.
At the second auction attended in February by SCTR, on Valentine's Day, we were incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity
to rescue the last of the nine thoroughbreds that was unaccounted for following the first auction of the month! Deserts Honey
Cup, an unraced but tattoed mare by Soft Gold, was back at auction just one week after selling to an unknown private party.
Thin and depressed, Deserts Honey Cup was rescued for $95 bidding against the kill buyer. Deserts Honey Cup is in rehab.
At auction in January 2009, SCTR purchased 22 month old, crooked legged thoroughbred filly Shelley Creek for $75, bidding against a kill buyer. Shelley has some significant phsyical problems to overcome, including partial facial paralysis, and she is currently in rehab. We are grateful to the Fans of Barbaro for sponsoring her first few months in rehab. You can see additional photographs of Shelley, read more about her, here: Retired Horses
December 2008
In December 2008, we attended auction and purchased the sweet three year old gelding Sunday Match, with the support and
financial aid of Ron Charles, COO of Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC), under MEC's new anti-slaughter horse protection policy.
We are extremely grateful to Ron Charles and MEC for enforcing this important new policy. You can read more about this story
here.
Sunday Match is doing well in foster care and we are grateful to director Jackie for providing shipping and to approved foster,
Megan, for providing excellent care of this young guy.
This week we also purchased from a dealer an ex racehorse that had been run through auction last month, and he is now in
quarantine. He is the lovely six year old grey gelding Persistent. Persistent is a little sad, and a little thin, and his feet were very
long - but he is doing well. We would like to thank his incredibly generous sponsors Donna, John, the Exceller Fund
(www.excellerund.org), and two anonymous donors for providing emergency funds to enable us to help this horse. You can see
more photographs of Persistent here: Percy's Page.
We Will Prevail, an 8 year old bay gelding by Fit to Fight, earner of $225,000 "the hard way" in 77 starts and 20 wins, entered our program as an owner donation on October 31 2008. Sound, and a beautiful sporthorse prospect, we hope that We Will Prevail will find a great home very soon. In need of some let down time, he is otherwise healthy at the conclusion of a great racing career. We are grateful to Bridgette, Carol, John, Karen, Linda, and Sharla for covering this horse's initial expenses. You can see more photographs of We Will Prevail (aka "Flash") here: Flash's Page
October 2008
Hawaiian Lyon, stakes placed 8 year old gelding by Aloha Prospector and earner of $87,524 is the latest addition to our rehabilitation program. Lyon came to us from Los Alamitos, where he broke down and was vanned off on October 23, 2008, and has a nasty suspensory tear which will take up to a year to rehabilitate. Please send good wishes to Hawaiian Lyon, for this is going to be a long haul for him. We wish to thank numerous individual donors, the Fans of Barabaro, and the Exceller Fund (www.excellerfund.org), for providing emergency funds to help this horse as well as sponsorship for his ongoing costs. You can see more photographs of Lyon here: Lyons Page
September 2008
Two thoroughbreds were purchased at a livestock auction on September 20, 2008. SCTR purchased an unraced, tattoed three year old filly, named Donna's Dance, whom we purchased for $110, and an imported six year old gelding, named Victory Design (IRE) whom we purchased for $175. Interestingly, five years ago, Victory Design (IRE) sold for $437,000 as a yearling at Tattersalls. He is beautifully bred, by Danehill and out of a Gone West mare, and was a successful turf runner in England as a youngster, and in North America since. Indeed, he placed fourth in a grade 3 race in Kentucky, and ran second to (now millionaire) Student Council in another good start. His purchase at auction and rescue from a horrendous trip to slaughter in Mexico was particularly fortuitous, for he has an old hip injury, was abcessing in one foot, and as a result was starting to founder in both front feet. The slaughter pipeline would have been peculiarly cruel for this lovely boy.We have successfully spared him from euthanasia, with the invaluable help and foster care for Victory, of Dr.
Laure Ross. You can see some more pictures of Victory Design, who is now available for adoption as a pasture
pet or companion horse, here: Victory's Page
