July 2021 Newsletter:
Summertime, Sunshine, Saving Horses!
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AT BUTCH EASTHAM'S FARM, AIMEE LEACH IS RIGHT AT HOME
By Francis LaBelle
Aimee Leach was born in California after her
parents left the East Coast in what Aimee describes as “the last hippy
migration to the West.” Her father had a successful career as a chef, but moved the family back east just a few years later.
They ended up in Northern Virginia, specifically
at White Post, Va., about 75 miles west of Washington, D.C. It’s been Aimee's home ever since.
Fortunately for the Thoroughbred Retirement
Foundation, Aimee's new home was also home to “Butch” Eastham III's 500-acre farm in nearby Front Royal, which has been home to as many as 115 TRF horses at one time.
In August, Aimee will celebrate nine years with TRF, eight of which she’s served as the Farm Manager at Butch Eastham's Farm. These days, Aimee and her assistant, Ellie Dalton, tend to 59 TRF horses at the farm as well as 26 other horses at
Sunnybrook Farm, which sits about two miles away.
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Ellie Dalton (left) and Aimee Leach (right) |
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Aimee and the Virginia Herd Need Your Help |
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It takes a village to support our herd of almost 500 horses. One major part of that village is Aimee Leach, recently featured in a spotlight here.
Aimee's farm is home to over 80 beloved members of the TRF herd. Caring for a farm of that size and that many horses requires some serious horsepower and Aimee needs a new truck to help with the work around the farm.
"Our most important tool we have is our truck," said Aimee. "Without it, we cannot move through the fields where the herds live. Without it, we cannot get supplies or haul in an emergency. There are many ways to treat injuries, sickness, and poor condition but only one way to haul a horse to the vet and that is with a truck. It is #1 in critical support for us."
We are asking for our village to come together and help provide Aimee, and the farm at Front Royal, a new truck to give her the tools with which to continue to give the TRF herd the top-notch care they deserve.
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The TRF Saratoga Summer Farm Returns to Bloomfield Farm! |
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This summer, we are pleased to partner with our gracious hosts at Bloomfield Farm in Saratoga. Two special members of our herd left their friends at the Wallkill Correctional Facility (TRF Second Chances Program) to spend the summer as TRF Herd ambassadors sharing the story of the TRF, our herd of 500 retired Thoroughbred racehorses and the importance of Thoroughbred Aftercare. We are thrilled they are here!
Bloomfield Farm is a beautiful and busy polo barn so we ask that guests respect the privacy of this private farm. All visits must be scheduled and supervised by the staff of the TRF. No unannounced visitors will be welcome. Visits to the TRF Summer Farm will be arranged for small groups over the course of the summer starting in mid-July.
Click here to indicate your interest in a visit and we'll be in touch to schedule. The horses can't wait to meet new friends at the "Summer Place to Be".
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Sponsor Horses of the Month |
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Z Me Zipp
Foaled on April 29, 2000 in Illinois (by Z Z CAT - BIG NOSE KATE, BY MR. REDOY ). This girl had 54 starts, winning 2 times, placing second 7 times, and third 3 times. Earning $43,565. She now enjoys her retirement. Zeta has been loved by a long time sponsor, but needs more! Let's show her some support.
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July 14th
12 - 2pm
The Horseshoe Inn Bar & Grill
Celebrating Quick Call - A Special Day, for a Special Horse
In partnership with the New York Racing Association (NYRA), the TRF will host a private ceremony to unveil the memorial marker in Clare Court, where Quick Call has been laid to rest at the racetrack he loved so much.
Following the ceremony, friends and fans are invited to join us at 12:00pm at the Horseshoe Inn Bar & Grill to celebrate the amazing life of Quick Call with all of those who loved him and cared for him. Share your stories, meet the TRF team.
VIP guests include TRF Farm Manager, Kelsey Kober; Superintendent of Wallkill Correctional Facility, Former Assistant Trainer and many more!
No cost to attend. Donations welcome!
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July 31st
9am - 1pm
Impression's of Saratoga
Information Booth TRF & R.E.S.T. by GAIT
If you'll be in Saratoga on Saturday, July 31st, please stop by Impressions of Saratoga to visit with the TRF team and our friends from R.E.S.T. by Gait. Both organizations believe in harnessing the powerful, positive impact of horses on humans. Come visit us to learn more!
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July 21st
Community Booth at Saratoga Race Course
New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Race Course
Stop by the Community booth by the Jockeys' Silks room to learn all about the great organizations involved in Thoroughbred Aftercare in NY.
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August 5th
4 - 8pm
The Ice House in Saratoga
TRF Happy Hour/ Impact Night
Join the TRF for a night you don't want to miss. The Ice House in Saratoga is hosting an event to benefit the horses of TRF. Happy Hour for the Horses!!
From 4-8 pm on August 5th, 10% of all sales will be donated to the herd. Join us for a night of drinks, food and laughs for a great cause!
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Principessa Elena Society
July 19th from 6-9pm
Join the Principessa Elena Society and TRF for a fun night of Gumbo with "Chef" Kendrick Carmouche!
Kendrick's famous Louisiana style Gumbo will be something you don't want to miss. Tickets are $25 in advance. Sign up before seats fill up.
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SAVE THE DATE: August 24th TRF's BBQ at the Barn! |
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Thank You to Our Supporters! |
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Huge thank you goes to Bailey's of Saratoga for hosting an event that benefitted the TRF. We were able to raise money for the herd and support local business. We are so grateful for their support! |
Thank you to Northshire Bookstore for including us in their "Round Up" program! All through the month of July, customers will be invited "round up" their purchases and give to the TRF Herd. The TRF is very appreciative to the Northshire team and their customers for their donations. |
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Thank you Bergen Stables for their horses racing for horses. Bergen recently added Hiya Harry as one of the horses who race for the TRF herd. We are pleased to welcome Harry and wish him great success and safety on the track. |
Big thanks goes to Stable Duel for being big June supporters! Check out the latest below! |
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Ambassadors in Action: Across the Country! |
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Help us recognize and celebrate our amazing TRF Ambassadors who use their talents to benefit the horses in unique and inspiring ways.
Thank you for helping us raise awareness and support for the TRF Herd!!!
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David Cassidy Memorial Event- 4th Annual Celebration at Putnam Place from 4-11pm (August 16) Supports the TRF!
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Dave pictured on far right with (from left) Kevin Murphy, Kim Weir, Cathy Flail & friend and Peter Goutos |
What do you enjoy about being a TRF Volunteer?
You would have a hard time finding a TRF volunteer with less actual experience being around horses than me. I have bet on horses for more than 30 years, but standing along the rail at Saratoga was about as close as I ever got to them. When I visited Keeneland for the first time in 2017, I had an opportunity to go to Old Friends Farm. It was a dream come true for me. I was the nerd who started reciting all of the famous races that these retired racehorses had participated in. My apologies to the folks who were on that tour with me.
That experience really made me want to get more involved with thoroughbred aftercare. During my visit to that Kentucky farm, I learned that there was an Old Friends in Saratoga and I have since visited Old Friends at Cabin Creek several times. And then I learned that the TRF was also based in Saratoga. I went to a TRF happy hour at Walt and Whitman in February 2020, got sidetracked by the pandemic for a few months, before eventually getting involved in projects at the end of last summer.
What's next?
I'm really looking forward to meeting more members of the Herd! I was lucky enough to visit the Pastures of Point Lookout farm recently and it was surreal to stand out in a giant field with so many former racehorses surrounding me. I'm pretty sure they could tell how nervous I was, but they were gracious hosts nonetheless, even after they discovered that I hadn't brought treats with me (I'm still learning!). I hope everyone appreciates the horses not only when they are on the track, but after their careers are over as well
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Why do you choose to volunteer your time with us? Can you describe a few projects?
This is easy. Pretty much every time I've been asked to work on a project, Kim (TRF's National Volunteer Coordinator) thinks I'm doing a favor for the TRF. But the reality is that it always ends up being something that makes me happy. Here, I'll show you:
What Kim thinks she's asking: Would you be willing to transport a few thousand commemorative horse racing glasses from Philadelphia to Saratoga as part of a potential fund raiser for the TRF?
The reality: I got to meet my new birthday buddy, Cathy! Cathy was kind enough to donate a crazy amount of glasses to help out the TRF back in February of this year. She mentioned that her birthday was coming up soon and we discovered we were born on the same day. We've kept in touch since then and were able to recently have lunch in Saratoga (see photo).
What Kim thinks she's asking: Would you be willing to channel your inner farrier and clean some horseshoes that will be sent out as gifts to folks who donated to the TRF?
The reality: My handicapping has gone south during the pandemic and I could really use something to turn my luck around. If you don't think there's a polished horseshoe hanging in my living room right now, you're kidding yourself.
What Kim thinks she's asking: I know it's 9am on a Sunday, but would you mind procuring beer and wine for the TRF volunteers to enjoy once Ponies, Pumpkins, and Pies is over?
The reality: Kim has provided me with a socially acceptable excuse for buying booze early on a Sunday morning.
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Shop Your Favorite Gear and Support the Herd! |
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Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
P.O. Box 834
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518)226-0028
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