Ringing The Bell For Arkansas Thoroughbred Aftercare Spreads

[Wandering Eyes]

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.–The idea was a simple one. Place a bell in the Larry Snyder Winner's Circle at Oaklawn and any winning owner, trainer or jockey who wants to make a $100 donation to the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program and Rehabilitation Foundation gets to ring it.

The 'Ring the Bell' seed was planted at an Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) meeting over four years ago when trainer and board member Ron Moquett posed the idea as he is prone to do.

“Ron [Moquett] has about 10 ideas every meeting and you can never write any of them off because they all have something in them,” said Jeanette Milligan, executive director of the Arkansas HBPA. “But this one was special and everyone knew that we could come together to make it happen, especially when Oaklawn's management got on board.”

In support of the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program and Rehabilitation Foundation, which places Off The Track Thoroughbreds (OTTB) at Oaklawn into permanent homes, the bell plan has grown by leaps and bounds into a full-fledged ecosystem.

“This is a way to pay it forward and everything that is raised goes right back into doing what's right for these horses through the foundation,” said Moquett. “We want to see this program branch out because this isn't about just Oaklawn. It's about a positive move by all the hard-working people involved in this industry. There's no way this can be done by one person.”

 

The Bell Privilege

Relying on word of mouth and some gentle encouragement from a 'ringmaster'–who is currently being filled by former conditioner Paul Holthus–the program has banked on both the desire to help horses along with some good old-fashioned competition. When you get to ring the bell at Oaklawn as connections have come to realize, it's a privilege.

Track announcer Matt Dinerman notes every ring of the bell over Oaklawn's PA | JNC

“For me, this is about the horses and their future more than it is about mine,” said rider Francisco Arrieta. “When I win and ring that bell, I know what I am doing is for them. We wouldn't be here without them, so this gift is important.”

High atop the grandstand, Oaklawn track announcer Matt Dinerman said that he has enjoyed immensely watching the aftercare initiative blossom.

“I think this is a phenomenal program and it's grown so much over the past year,” said Dinerman. “They give us everything out there on the track and it's always on full display, so what is so great to see is the mass participation when out-of-town horses ship in from like California. Those connections give also and that's how we all win.”

 

Strength In Numbers

News of the bell's success is continuing to spread as Tampa Bay and Sam Houston have already adopted the model. Lone Star Park, Prairie Meadows and Horseshoe Indianapolis are up next.

“What we have done is set this program up as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization,” said Milligan. “Right now, we are teaching other tracks how to implement the bell and to keep the finances straight. You can set the gift at whatever is appropriate based on a track's purse structure. We really think this can make a major impact in the here and now, and each year what we have raised has increased beyond our targets.”

The program debuted at the 2021-2022 Oaklawn meeting when $14,000 was raised during the final six days of the season. It was officially launched with Oaklawn President Louis Cella and Bill Walmsley, a longtime Thoroughbred owner and president of the Arkansas division of the HBPA, each donating $5,000 on behalf of their respective groups. The program then tallied $68,000 during the 2022-2023 meeting and $71,590 last season. With three weeks left of racing, the fund has eclipsed $80,000 and has the chance to eclipse $100,000.

'Ring the Bell' for Thoroughbred Aftercare | JNC

What Oaklawn has inaugurated might be a 'win' in Hot Springs, but getting other circuits to take notice and adopt their approach has been a challenge. Of course, no one in the sport of Thoroughbred racing would argue against aftercare–the creation of a healthy, re-purposed life for each and every horse once the rigors of a career around an oval are done.

However, aftercare remains one of the most hot-button issues across the North American Thoroughbred landscape because there are so many ways to approach it. Moquett says that from where he stands all programs can coexist, but giving has to have regularity. Otherwise, expenses can rack up and that is not going to work for the equine athletes who need care 365 days a year.

“Taking care of a horse is so expensive when you consider feed, hay, paying the farrier, the veterinarian and for supplies,” the trainer said. “What Jan Pettinger has done for this program is just tremendous at her foster farm.”

 

No Ms. Hannigans Here

On the program's website you will find Shooters Shoot (Competitive Edge), Tirico (Twirling Candy) and Baltoro (Bolt d'Oro), who were all once around the local strip. Now, they are looking for new homes.

When Jan Pettinger isn't ponying at Oaklawn, she is at her OTTB foster farm that currently holds about 25 to 30 retired racehorses. This is a safe landing spot for any equine athlete who may need to rehabilitate or just the chance to run around in a field. If they need any medical attention, then vets can visit onsite. Milligan estimates that it costs about $25 a day to keep an individual horse at the foster farm, which can add up quickly. Pettinger is the lynchpin in the whole program because she interviews potential owners and spends time getting to know them.

“I think of myself like a foster parent and this work is a passion of mine,” said Pettinger. “It all pays off when you get the pictures of the kids with the blue ribbon from the fair and hear the stories about what that Thoroughbred did for their family. When potential owners come to see their horse on the farm, you can see them light up and that is such a match when it is made.”

The process that the foundation has developed has several intricate stages. No one can just turn up and adopt a Thoroughbred. There is a thorough vetting process which leads up to an interview at the farm. Maybe what is most important of all, the program follows each horse once it is placed in a permanent home and Milligan said they take check-ins very seriously.

“We want every placement to be the best experience possible,” she said. “So, we make sure that all involved are happy and that it is a healthy situation for the horses.”

 

Built for Chukkers

Since placing a Thoroughbred is such serious business for the Arkansas Retirement Program and Rehabilitation Foundation, finding the right spot takes time.

Will Walton with Blowout Mountain at the Dallas Polo Club | JNC

South of the Metroplex, the Dallas Polo Club has put a pair of Thoroughbreds from the foundation's program into service, and both Blowout Mountain (Mark Valeski) and Towing (Uncle Mo) have performed admirably in their new positions.

Polo is a tactical and movement-specific type of sport, which tests a horse's strength, stamina and acumen. Will Walton, a third-generation polo player who runs the club, said he has been impressed with how both geldings have handled themselves during what normally is a three-year training period.

“Good prospects take time to develop and we know they respond when we approach them this way,” said Walton from his barn area which houses about 40 head. “We cultivate being cool, calm and easy with them, and we have found that Thoroughbreds do so well because they are interested in everything that is going on.”

Around a racetrack, running fast is a primary focal point, but when it comes to training to compete in a chukker–a period during a polo match–there are all sorts of movements and cues that take place.

“We have been happy to take part in such a valuable program and I can't say enough about the work that is being done up in Arkansas,” Walton said. “We are hoping to bring some more Thoroughbreds on because we sure do enjoy training them.”

A Match

Whether it is providing Thoroughbreds for polo or for another match, the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program and Rehabilitation Foundation's 'Ring the Bell' plan has become a viable funding source in a short amount of time as everyone pulls together. With the addition of some key sponsors throughout the meet, matching pledges have raised even more attention in the winner's circle. Some of those organizations that have participated include Spendthrift Farm, OBS and Machmer Hall.

“We have set down a rigorous approach here and it's such a great outlet for the horsemen to participate in,” said Thoroughbred owner and Arkansas HBPA board director Staton Flurry. “The jockey response has been huge; we've gotten the word out about what we do here through matching sponsors and I think the expansion to other places continues to be bright.”

The bell is set to offer its final toll from the Larry Snyder Winner's Circle when the meet ends in early May. Already, there is much to celebrate after a banner year. With more tracks adopting the program, the privilege of getting to ring the bell is spreading.

Click here to learn more about the 'Ring the Bell.'

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