Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue

In Southern California, there are three large thoroughbred retirement and transitioning farms, each with an established history of successful operation. These organizations are funded entirely by donations, largely from individual and institutional members of the California racing industry. They are authorized to accept donations of former racehorses from owners and trainers at local racetracks and thoroughbred farms, and this is the single most important mechanism by which our former racehorses are offered a chance at a second career or retirement. In addition, a number of individuals employed at local racetracks work with trainers to find good homes for former racehorses at the conclusion of their careers.

Despite the existence of these retirement organizations and private efforts, a large number of thoroughbreds from racetracks and breeding farms are consigned at local livestock auctions by owners and their agents, where they sell without reserve to the highest bidder. It is through their purchase at livestock auctions, and even directly from the backside of the racetrack and from breeding farms, by horse dealers who conduct interstate commerce that many of our former racehorses ultimately end up at foreign slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico.

It is these horses, which slip through the cracks of the existing thoroughbred retirement machinery in Southern California, that we seek to help, albeit on a small scale. The number of thoroughbreds that we can purchase, rehabilitate, and rehome is limited by SCTR's private donations, our network of quarantine facilities and foster homes, and our ability to identify permanent, loving homes for our horses.