Page 36 - The Game August 2006

36 The Game, August 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Dedicated Retirement Program at Adena Springs
With an average of twelve horses retiring each year, there was only so much paddock space at the Adena Springs retirement farm in Florida. Something had to be done to find suitable new homes and careers for their horses that were being retired every year.
With more than 280 horses in training across North American, Adena Springs decided to bring their retirement program in-house, “We are big supporters of LongRun,” said Mike Rogers at Adena Springs North, “We used to give LongRun our horses however the size that we are, it only seemed reasonable that we bring it in house. We couldn’t put pressure on LongRun like that.”
Frank Stronach and his wife Elfriede wanted someone dedicated to finding the right homes for their retired racehorses and they hired Stacie Clark to manage the new retraining and placement program which is located at Adena North.
“We have the Adena South retirement section in Florida,” says Mike, “Some horses stay there for life. However the ones that have a potential for a second career as family pleasure horses are sent here for re-training and placement.”
Stacie’s primary job responsibility is to find the right home for the horses with Mrs. Stronach giving the final approval on where the horses end up. “We have sold and adopted out 32 ex-racehorses in one year.” said Stacie with plenty of well-deserved pride. “The ideal person to adopt or buy the horses is someone in their twenties who can love them and hack around with them and take them to local shows.”
In true Stronach fashion, their retirement program has proven to be successful and the Stronach’s are dedicated and very conscientious as to where their horses spend their post-racing days, “We make sure they have a nice home which provides a purpose for the horse,” says Stacie, “It is the initiative of Mrs. Stronach. The hardest part some- times is letting the horses go.”
For more information, contact Stacie Clark at Adena Springs North 905-841-0336.
Retirees Mark One (left) and Royal Regalia (right) check out Super Case as he passes by the barn during his morning exercise.
The crew at the Adena Springs North retiree barn from left to right: Jen on horse Andy; Britney, Vanessa, Stacie, Nikki on horse Super Case, and Meagan. (missing from photo is Debbie Platts)
Retired racehorse, Above Justice, checks out a sculpture by artist Kate Esplen at the home of his new owner, Carrie Bastin.
Photo Above: Euchre, who is now owned by Chris Reynolds, with rider Nikki Kuzoff aboard
Photo Left: Rocking Bird, six months after retirement
Photo Right: Royal Regalia, who is on stall rest after a career ending injury, with Groom, Jennifer Hasler.
Large, indoor training arena at Adena Springs North’s retiree and show barn.
Photo Above: Stacie Clark with the retired Mark One
Photo Right: Mayan Gold with new owner Mary Anne Chilton