She Heroes

In 1994, former jockey and trainer Helen Meredith, a native of Scotland, founded one of the first fully accredited Thoroughbred rescues in the country – the United Pegasus Foundation in San Jacinto, California “She is an avid equestrian that was moved to start the foundation after seeing a news story about the feedlots in Southern California. Watching once prize winning race horses being discarded and sold by their owners inspired Helen to start saving these noble, beautiful equines in her half-acre back yard. This becameRead More →

(Editor’s Note:  This week’s SheHero comes at you from a slightly different direction. While in Middleburg, Va., this past weekend, Maggie Kimmitt stopped by for a cup of tea with Michael and Jo Motion. A casual question about an oil painting opened a treasure trove of stories about “a kinder time” and the extraordinary life of a woman who blazed the trail for future generations of women in Thoroughbred racing.) I’ve known Mrs. Jo Motion long enough and well enough to realize that any suggestionRead More →

“I heard about Bev Strauss’ work years before meeting her. I learned early on that she went to the New Holland sales weekly. She saved Thoroughbreds in the kill pen and would quietly network them back to original homes or to new homes. Many of those horses had ‘fallen through the cracks’ after their racing days were over. Bev provided them with soft landings and futures by sending them to her rescue, MidAtlantic Horse Rescue (MAHR), outside of Chesapeake City, Md.   When I met herRead More →

“Anne Campbell may best be known as ‘the First Lady of Thoroughbred Racing Partnerships,’ but to think of her only in that vein would understate all that is Anne Campbell and all that she has done for our great sport of racing. Anne and her late husband, Cot, are not only credited with developing the syndicate racing partnership model, but more importantly introducing and nurturing in excess of 1000 new people into the sport. Anne’s contributions extend way beyond her role at Dogwood Stables. SheRead More →

“Caton is a consummate professional. She operates with so much class and respect that she has been a role model  within this industry for not just myself but many people in Thoroughbred racing. It’s hard to think that racing would be where it’s at right now in media if it weren’t for Caton. The admiration that I have for her is indescribable. She is who I looked up to when I was just figuring out that I wanted to be a part of racing media,Read More →

“In 1990, a small group of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred owners, headed by Herb and Ellen Moelis and the late Allaire duPont, banded together to promote the well being of retired racehorses. A small dinner auction, featuring art and racing memorabilia, was held at the Moelis’ Candyland Farm in Middletown, Delaware. $15,000 was raised and donated to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. The event grew annually and in 1997, when the funds raised at the Stallion Season Auction neared $1 million, Thoroughbred Charities of America was created toRead More →

“Debbie Finley’s philanthropy and quick action to help anyone in need is well documented.  That natural instinct to move to support is really a gift that few have.  Her faith and commitment to family sets an example to be admired and followed.  It provides great comfort to those of us who are close to her, knowing that she is only a phone call away. What I’d like to recognize is the role she has played in helping make West Point Thoroughbreds the company it is today. Read More →

“Anne can be summed up in a very few words.  Caring of the industry, strict attention to detail, extremely organized, still acts like a groupie when she is near a horse that she likes, and most of all extraordinarily dedicated to working in and look for any way she can improve the industry. In spite of a limited budget, she makes the BloodHorse shine with images from a strong group of freelancers that take her direction very seriously while not restraining their creativity. She isRead More →

“It was June 1978 when I was dropped off at Delaware Park to work for Eddie and Linda Gaudet as a hot walker.  Eddie had trained a horse that my family bred named ‘Tons’ and won the NY Breeders futurity. I had years of farm experience but little racetrack experience. Needless to say it was a summer of learning and experiences that need not be detailed here.   Linda took me, a 17 year old Jewish kid from New York, under her wing. I secretlyRead More →

“Allison would not describe herself as a ‘feminist’ nor a ‘pioneer for women,’ yet she was one of the first female racing secretaries in the world. The position of Racing Secretary is the chief executive of the racing office. Some of the most important tasks include writing races that attract full fields while also enticing bettors in order to generate handle. The needs and desires of trainers who need certain conditions must also be met. The racing secretary must also work with track management toRead More →