Photo via Second Stride.
In this week’s edition of OTTB Wishlist presented by our friends at Cosequin Equine, we’re taking a moment to get to know Second Stride, a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Second Stride was founded in 2005 by Kim Smith, who also serves as the organization’s Executive Director, who saw a need for a non-profit racehorse retirement organization in the Bluegrass state that made it easy for owners and trainers to retire their horses from racing safely.
“The Thoroughbred racing industry makes Kentucky a large amount of revenue, but the number of horses that retire is significant,” says Whitney Drury, an employee of Second Stride. “Kim had a vision and Second Stride grew from her small boarding facility at Moserwood Farm in Prospect, Kentucky.”
Second Stride prides itself on providing ex-racers with the soft landing and expert training that they need in order to transition successfully into a second or, in the case of former broodmares, third career. For those wishing to retire their horses there is no donation fee required and no age limit or soundness requisite for horses to be accepted. The organization carries a large overhead and runs on donations caring for an average of 15 horses each month. They placed 116 horses in 2018 and were the most represented aftercare organization at last year’s Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover.
Of course Second Stride has a number of wonderful horses available, but here are three in particular who could be your next event partner:
Five Senses. Photo via Second Stride.
Five Senses (STREET SENSE – SUPREME MAKER, BY EMPIRE MAKER): 2016 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred filly
Despite being very well bred, Five Senses’ connections could tell after her very first start, in which she finished at the back of the pack, that she just wasn’t going to be successful on the track. Whether it was that she would just be too slow or lacked the desire to race, she was retired soundly after that one start. Five Senses is 2019 RRP eligible and could potentially be an amateur-friendly prospect as her under saddle video shows a relaxed attitude. She does have an old splint that doesn’t bother her, but otherwise her veterinary exam upon arrival at Second Stride was normal.
View Five Senses on Second Stride.
Belle Ame. Photo via Second Stride.
Belle Ame (EVEN THE SCORE – LILLY IN DISGUISE, BY GILDED TIME): 2015 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred filly
Belle Ame is unraced but does have published workouts with the last being in June 2018 which makes her 2019 RRP eligible. Her vet exam upon arrival at Second Stride was clean. This mare has a solid build and a nice sloping shoulder, plus she’s forward-thinking yet has a good brain. She has bravely popped over a small jump under saddle and was pretty pleased with herself afterward!
View Belle Ame on Second Stride.
The Buckeye Kid. Photo via Second Stride.
The Buckeye Kid (WILKO – RELAXER, BY RELAUNCH): 2011 15.3-hand Indiana-bred gelding
This little gelding seems like a big-hearted fellow. The Buckeye Kid is a relatively new addition to Second Stride and was given a clean vet exam when he arrived. He’s proving to be a kind, people-oriented horse who loves attention and is good with other horses too. The Buckeye Kid started in 13 races and won three before being given some time off through no fault of his own. His last race was in March 2018.
