If I go to the track tomorrow, I’ll drink an “Exceller” cocktail (or 2), and the whole time I’m there I’ll be wondering how many of the horses I’m watching will end up in slaughterhouses if the law isn’t changed.

As things now stand, the only thing between Big Brown or Curlin (or any Thoroughbred anywhere in the United States) and a trip to Mexico is the good will of their connections.

My family has owned TBs for many years. We have been able to find good homes and second careers for the horses that were sound. The ones with ailments were retired as family pets.

When we can, we also purchase one horse at a time from the racetrack, give them some time for rest and recuperation, and work with them until they can go to a trainer for retraining. This is a great way for everyone in the industry to give back. Most trainers know of a horse the owner wants to get out of because they are not competitive. Usually, they can be bought for whatever the owner owes the trainer ($2,000-$3,000)

We have found a wonderful “A’ hunter/jumper trainer near Chicago and she makes every attempt to sell the horses in her barn. This woman loves the horses and gives them fabulous care. It gives us a great deal of joy to see the rescue horses have such a happy life.

I hope this inspires others, to find a riding horse trainer they can work with. It is especially important that the trainer is capable of handling OTTBs. I know most of the owners have the horse’s best interests at heart, but simply do not where to turn. Usually, if the horse is sound and with a good trainer, you will recoup your costs and can repeat the process with another horse.

The owners should let their race trainer know that they plan for their horses to have another career when the horses are done racing. When a horse is no longer racing to his potential, it is imperative that the horse be retired before he incurs a significant injury. Contrary to many race trainers’ understanding, lame horses, with bowed tendons, suspensory injuries, and chips will not pass a prepurchase exam which is performed in most all riding horse purchases. The sounder the horse is, the greater his chances are for a new career.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to present an alternative way to give back to our beloved Thoroughbreds. Exceller has done so much and we must continue to carry his torch.

With the industry under a microscope after a series of breakdowns in big races - Barbaro, George Washington, Eight Bells - the positive PR generated by protecting out horses from slaughter would do this industry a world of good.

Nice article Ray… Thanks.

For those unfamiliar with Christine, she is an accomplished horsewoman and artist. I’m sure she’s too shy to promote her work, but I’m not: it can be found at http://www.christinepicavet.com/.

Exceller had growing physical problems and he won his last races because of his tremendous talent, big heart and honesty. Exceller’s will to win despite his ailments, made his victories, including the Jockey Club Gold Cup, even more admirable. Though he didn’t receive an Eclipse Award, he was the champion.

I learned of his slaughter, the paranoia and cruelty of his last owner and how not even heroic horses are protected from such cruel fate, while being interviewed by Mike Mullaney from the Daily Racing Form. I was so shocked and heartbroken that we postponed the interview for a few days and Mike agreed to redirect it from artwork to racehorse welfare.

I was also close to the sweet and beautiful Ferdinand. I had the honor to paint him as well and was so distraught to learn that he suffered a horrific death, alone, in a slaughterhouse.

Horse racing needs to protect its horses. It owes them a humane end of career and humane end of life, regardless of their value.

I don’t have an advanced degree or anything but I think that 1997 is 19 years after 1978.

That is just a guess though.