Security for Our Retired Racehorses with the Congie Black and Gold Fund
Thoroughbred racehorses give owners their all each time they compete. Horses provide us with thrills and memories to last a lifetime. Eventually, a racehorse retires from competition. An owner's responsibility does not end after the final call to the post.
In 2011, West Point Thoroughbreds lost a cherished friend and faithful employee when Congie DeVito passed away due to complications from Osteogenesis Imperfecta (also known as brittle bone disease). In his honor, we’ve created Congie Black and Gold Fund to secure retirement of past, current, and future horses purchased and raced by WPT.
Congie was our first employee. He bravely faced his physical challenges, was a real inspiration to all of us, and absolutely loved horses - they were a huge part of his life. I can’t think of a better way to honor his memory than to secure a safe future for all runners that carry the black and gold.
Financial aspects of the Congie Black and Gold Fund will be administered by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. The fund will go toward re-homing, re-training, shipping, and daily care and maintenance for West Point horses no longer competing on the track. All donations are tax deductible. WPT will also allocate resources to monitor horses lost by sale or claim, ensuring their safe retirement to the fullest extent possible.
We’ll raise funds for the initiative in three ways:
- Beginning in 2012, financials for each new partnership formed by West Point will include a $1,000 donation to the fund.
- Going forward, $10 per start per horse will be drawn from the partnership to be placed into the fund on behalf of that runner’s future, with WPT matching this amount.
- Individual donations to augment the fund* may be mailed to:
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
Congie Black and Gold Fund
PO Box 3387
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
*Include Congie Black and Gold Fund in check memo line
Thanks for helping us support retired racehorses,
Terry Finley
Below are some former WPT runners that have been successfully placed in second careers:
Successful Placements
Stakes winner Merus Miami lives out his days on a ranch In Montana.
Stakes winner and Breeders' Cup competitor Tropic Storm retraining for a second career at Palm Beach Polo Club.
Smokinalisa was adopted by a Partner in North Carolina. She receives a lot of love in new home.
South Bronx was retired to a farm in New York.
Partner Sylvia Batchelder compete in dressage events with Casey's Joy.
Chris' Pride excelled as an event horse.
The Defense Rests was adopted by a Partner in Mars, Pa.
Grand Vow was placed with the assistance of Niall and Stephanie Brennan's Final Furlong Horse Retirement Program.
Grey Chatelaine is in foal to Papa Clem and is the dam of this Roman Ruler yearling.
Stalking Man competed through Preliminary level three-day-eventing.
Trumpeter Swan at a horse trial in Maryland.
Partner John Hayes loves Wincat.
Seminary Ridge is a successful three-day event horse.
Kohana is about to start his career as an event horse in Ohio.
Megapunch was claimed from us in 2007, but ensured a happy retirement in 2010.
Partners Jim and Jeanne Fletcher love their former runner Siouxnami.
NY-bred speedster Rereadthefootnotes is lovin' life as a show horse in North Carolina.
Boulder Creek was claimed from us and suffered any injury in his last race. However, with the help of Niall and Stephanie Brennan's Final Furlong Racehorse Retirement, he's been retired to a good home in Florida.
Graded stakes winner Mr. Fantasy is living out his days at his breeder's farm in upstate New York.
Esoteric Thinker resides in Panama City, Florida.
Lieutenant Ron is training for a second career.
