"It amazes me how many people had something to say about Drive All Night (Dan), the $628,000 winner in need of help to live out his life," said Kate Kingsbury. Kate took the calls at the Standardbred Retirement Foundation's (SRF) office after a plea for help was sounded. Whether the fact that Dan made so much money, or because he was in such dire need, or both, prompted enough help to take the "war horse" as some named him, off the path to the Canadian slaughterhouse.
The big gelding drew concern from past trainers, and grooms; a few of the many owners who enjoyed him, some in tears; compassionate horse lovers; and even past gamblers who knew this tough horse. One of his grooms shared how he had more heart than any horse she has ever known stating how he had a bad suspensory, and ankle, but when he put the harness on he went out there and gave his all. Another told SRF how he loved Gatorade, orange being his favorite and that he tilted it so he could drink it right out of the bottle.
Dan's true saving grace was when Jules Siegel, owner of Fashion Farms and the sire of Dan, Real Artist, offered him a place to live out his life on his farm. "Thank you, Mr. Siegel, for saving this horse. I worked for you for many, many years at the Drug Fair in Manville. I still have my 3 horses out in Ringoes and someday I'm going to make it out to your farm for a visit!!!" wrote Jane Lysebo, on SRF's Facebook page. No doubt Siegel will be pampering him in a very deserving way.
The other gelding, Alpine Adventure, was also brought to safety. Along with the two boys was a Standardbred mare, Glitter Ironstone. All three are safe, and once removed from harm's way they immediately had a visit by a veterinarian. The boys have eye ulcers, which appear to be recent injuries, and the mare has an old arthritic ankle. In need of life in pasture, a member of the Dancer family in NJ has expressed interest in offering a safe landing for her, saying it is a way of giving back.
While SRF was buried in the three in need, one more was lurking in NY on the same sad path. "It is very time consuming dealing with these rescues; we tried to get to the fourth and made some strides. We are grateful to Michelle Crawford of Crawford Farms who took the reins and moved forward to get the son of Western Hanover, Nothing Artificial, to safety. She gifted his rescue fees, shipped him to a quarantine facility, and called in a veterinarian to evaluate his ataxia in his hind end," said Judy Bokman, SRF's Director.
SRF appreciates the support and heartfelt help to tend to the dire needs of these horses. Hopefully, a situation like this, especially where prominent people in racing have stepped up to help, today and in the recent past, will resonate and change will come to the welfare of harness racing's horse.
From the Standardbred Retirement Foundation