Posts Tagged ‘Ellen Moelis’
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
There are so many charitable organizations in racing, some benefiting Thoroughbreds to enjoy a second career after their racing days are over, and others focusing on the people involved in the game who need our help. For some, it’s a difficult choice where to direct their charitable donations
Enter the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), whose annual telephone auction of seasons is Dec. 1-3 and whose charitable auction dinner will be held in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, Dec. 5. The TCA serves strictly as a fund-raising organization that allocates money raised to a variety of equine and human organizations that work toward improving the lives of racehorses and the people who work with them.
Here are the five areas the TCA supports:
- Thoroughbred rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, adoption, retirement and euthanasia
- Backstretch workers including disabled jockeys, farm and track employees with little or no medical coverage and child care for them while working
- Equine educational organizations including those who provide equine-based scholarships and those who utilize Thoroughbreds in their educational programs
- Therapeutic riding programs which include the use of Thoroughbreds in their programs
- Research into equine diseases and ailments
 The concept for the TCA, which is now affiliated with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, was begun in 1990 by the late Allaire DuPont and Herb and Ellen Moelis (pictured), who felt a need to help promote the well-being of retired racehorses. It began with a small auction at the Moelis’ CandyLand Farm in Middletown, Del., where $15,000 was raised and donated to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. The event grew, especially after the generous addition of stallion seasons, and before long the group was raising nearly $1 million through its annual dinner auction.
The TCA was thus created to serve as a “United Way” type of organization to pass through donations where it’s most needed. To date, more than $15 million has been given to over 200 different Thoroughbred non-profit organizations by the TCA, which sends 94 cents from every dollar raised directly to these charities. Click here to see the list of organizations which have received funding from TCA.
Oversight for the TCA, which has one employee, falls on a knowledgeable and respected board of directors who are active in both fund-raising and grant decisions.
This year’s 19th annual TCA Stallion Season and Art Auction takes place at the Keeneland Entertainment Center on Friday, Dec. 5, beginning at 6 p.m. For tickets, call (859) 312-5531. For information about this important event and the Dec. 1-3 telephone auction that precedes it, click here. If you’re unable to attend, you can still bid on the stallion seasons and other items up for auction. To make a donation to TCA, click here.
The Paulick Report will spotlight a different charity each day of Thanksgiving week, when we traditionally take time to reflect and give thanks to the blessings we have and to help those less fortunate. This is a difficult time for many Americans, and charitable organizations are feeling the effects of the global economic crisis. We hope you’ll spend a few minutes to learn about some of the charities that make us a better industry, and consider giving to these or to others that we won’t have the opportunity to publicize. Remember that no gift is too small.
Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report
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Tags: allaire dupont, candyland farm, Ellen Moelis, Herb Moelis, horse racing charities, horse slaughter, Horse Welfare, Keeneland, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, tca, tca stallion season and art auction, thoroughbred charities, thoroughbred charities of america, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, thoroughbred racing, thoroughbred rescue, thoroughbred retirement foundation, TOBA, trf
Posted in Horse Slaughter, Horse Welfare, Industry Organizations, TOBA | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
The Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill criminalizing the transportation of horses for the purpose of slaughtering them for human consumption. The action, by voice vote, came less than 24 hours after Josephine Abercrombie, a prominent Kentucky Thoroughbred owner and breeder, sent a letter (co-signed by 45 others) to Judiciary Committee chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and ranking member Lamar Smith (R-Texas), urging passage of the bill over the “neutral” position taken by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association one week earlier. The bill, H.R. 6598, known as the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008, now moves to the House floor.
Abercrombie’s letter (shown below) seemed to trump an earlier letter by NTRA president Alex Waldrop, which said the NTRA had “concerns with the bill and potential unintended consequences.” The NTRA had previously supported anti-slaughter legislation filed but not passed in 2003; Waldrop’s letter did not address other anti-slaughter bills currently under consideration. Abercrombie and her co-signors urged support of all anti-slaughter legislation currently before the 110th Congress. “We and so many others in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing community strongly support all legislative initiatives, including H.R. 503, S. 311, and H.R. 6598, which will bring horse slaughter to a swift end,” Abercrombie wrote. “We want you to know that the NTRA’s position is not representative of the larger community.”
There currently are no slaughter plants operating in the U.S., the two in Texas having been shut down by a court ruling and a plant in Illinois shuttered after a state law was passed. There has been an increase in the number of horses being transported across the borders into Canada and Mexico, however, and H.R. 6598 provides enforcement for federal officials to end that. Horses confiscated would be under the jusisdiction of the attorney general, who, according to the bill, “shall provide for the humane placement or other humane disposition of any horse seized.”
Abercrombie is a prominent and successful Thoroughbred owner and breeder who owns Pin Oak Stud near Versailles, Ky. She is involved in numerous philanthropic causes, serves as a trustee of the Breeders’ Cup and is a member of the Jockey Club, among other Thoroughbred industry organizations.
Among those who signed the letter with Abercrombie are the owners of such well-known horses as reigning Horse of the Year Curlin (Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson), Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year Sunday Silence (Arthur and Staci Hancock, along with breeders Deborah and Thomas Tatham), Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide (Jackson Knowlton of Sackatoga Stable), Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos (Debby and John Oxley, along with breeder James Squires), Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones (Pat Chapman), and Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro (Gretchen and Roy Jackson). Others who signed the letter include Racing Hall of Fame members Nick Zito (trainer of multiple Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown race winners); jockey Gary Stevens (multiple Kentucky Derby winner); and Julie Krone (Belmont Stakes winner and all-time leading female rider).
In addition, a number of the individuals who signed the letter have strong ties to Texas or Oklahoma, where opposition to the anti-slaughter legislation has been the strongest. Included in that list are Abercrombie, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Ford, Janice and Robert McNair, Debby and John Oxley, Madeleine Paulson Pickens (wife of T. Boone Pickens), and Deborah and Thomas Tatham. Following is the text of the letter from Josephine Abercrombie and the list of co-signors.
Sept. 23, 2008
Dear Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Smith:
Last week, during a Judiciary Committee mark up of H.R. 6598 – the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008, it was revealed that the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) does not support current legislation to ban horse slaughter. Needless to say, we were surprised at the revelation and disappointed by the reasons NTRA put forward, none of which are valid.
As Thoroughbred industry leaders who have long supported all Congressional actions to end this cruel industry, we were disappointed that the NTRA voiced unfounded concerns to those who support the slaughter of horses thus jeopardizing the passage of this legislation. We and so many others in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing community strongly support all legislative initiatives, including H.R. 503, S. 311, and H.R. 6598, which will bring horse slaughter to a swift end. We want you to know that the NTRA’s position is not representative of the larger community.
We commend you, Chairman Conyers, for providing this bill with a fair hearing, which has allowed it to move to this point. Given the narrow opportunity to act before Congress adjourns, we hope that H.R. 6598 can swiftly be moved from Committee to the floor of the full House of Representatives for final consideration. This bill is too important for politics to delay its enactment. Every five minutes an American horse is slaughtered. This bill can stop that.
H.R. 6598 is a sound bill that puts enforcement into the hands of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and its agents who are trained and staffed to deal with criminal issues. We feel confident that the DOJ has the necessary experience in dealing with large animal confiscations having led such high profile investigations involving animal fighting, Class B Dealers, and puppy mills. As with other statutes, under H.R. 6598, the DOJ has the authority to ask for assistance from other federal, state and non-governmental agencies during its enforcement of the law and this flexibility has shown to be highly effective.
Under a close examination of the concerns asserted by those opposing the bill, we can see no legitimate reason not to pass this legislation. As representatives of the Thoroughbred industry we look forward to the next Committee mark up of H.R. 6598 and urge you to pass H.R. 6598 as written, without amendments, as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Josephine Abercrombie
WE, the undersigned, are co-signors of this letter and support legislation to stop the slaughter of American horses.
John H. Adger, racing and bloodstock manager, Stonerside Stable, Houston, TX;
Peggy Augustus, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Keswick Stables, Keswick, VA;
Betty and Gary Biszantz, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Cobra Farm, Lexington, KY and Solana Beach, CA;
Nadia Sanan Briggs, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Padua Stables, Ocala, FL;
Anne and Cot Campbell, Thoroughbred owners, Dogwood Stable, Aiken, SC;
Pat Chapman, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Someday Farm, Doylestown, PA;
Jenny Craig, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Rancho Paseana, Rancho Santa Fe, CA;
Carol Farmer, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Shadowlawn Farm, Midway, KY;
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Ford, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Diamond A Farms, Versailles, KY;
Maegan Ford, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Diamond A Farms, Versailles, KY;
Staci and Arthur Hancock, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Stone Farm, Paris, KY;
Mark Hennig, Thoroughbred owner and trainer, Garden City, NY;
Sara Jones Hill, Thoroughbred owner, Coconut Grove, FL;
Gretchen and Roy Jackson, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Lael Farm, West Grove, PA;
Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Stonestreet Farm, Lexington, KY;
Jackson W. Knowlton, Thoroughbred owner, managing partner, Sackatoga Stable, Saratoga Springs, NY;
Julie Krone, Racing Hall of Fame jockey, Los Angeles, CA;
Janice and Robert McNair, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Stonerside Stables, Houston, TX;
Ellen Moelis and Herbert I Moelis, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Candyland Farm, Middletown, DE;
Maggi Moss, Thoroughbred owner, Moss Equestrians, Des Moines, Iowa;
Joanne and Paul Oreffice, Thoroughbred owners, Dogwood Stables, Paradise Valley, AZ;
Debby and John Oxley, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Fawn Leap Farm, Midway, KY;
Madeleine Paulson Pickens, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Rancho Santa Fe, CA;
Dan Rosenberg, Rosenberg Thoroughbred Consulting,, Midway, KY;
James D. Squires, Two Bucks Farm, Versailles, KY;
Angie Athayde-Stevens, Thoroughbred consultant, Los Angeles, CA;
Gary Stevens, Racing Hall of Fame jockey; Los Angeles, CA;
Deborah W. Tatham and Thomas P. Tatham, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Oak Cliff Breeders, Houston, TX;
Melanie and Jeffrey Tucker, Stone Bridge Farm, Schuylerville, NY;
Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Lexington, KY and Saratoga Springs, NY;
Kim and Nick Zito, Thoroughbred owner and trainer, Lexington, KY and Saratoga Springs, NY.
Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report
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Tags: Angie Athayde-Stevens, Anne and Cot Campbell, anti-slaughter legislation, Barbaro, Betty and Gary Biszantz, Carol Farmer, congressional hearings, Curlin, Dan Rosenberg, Debby and John Oxley, Deborah Tatham, Department of Justice, Ellen Moelis, funny cide, Gary Stevens, Gerald Ford, Gretchen and Roy Jackson, H.R. 503, h.r. 6598, Herb Moelis, horse slaughter, Jackson Knowlton, James Squires, Janice and Robert McNair, Jenny Craig, Joanne and Paul Oreffice, John Adger, john conyers, john hendrickson, Josephine Abercrombie, judiciary committee, Julie Krone, Kim and Nick Zito, Lamar Smith, Madeleine Paulson Pickens, Maegan Ford, maggi moss, Mark Hennig, marylou whitney, Melanie and Jeffrey Tucker, monarchos, Nadia Sanan Briggs, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, NTRA, Pat Chapman, Paulick Report, Peggy Augustus, prevention of equine cruelty act, Ray Paulick, S. 311, Sara Jones Hill, Smarty Jones, Staci and Arthur Hancock, sunday silence, Thomas P. Tatham
Posted in Horse Slaughter, Horse Welfare, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, People, Uncategorized | 21 Comments »
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