"Caring for racehorses once their track days are over is a vital part of the racing industry. Public awareness has continually grown since the 1980's and nowadays no one can say they are unaware of the perils racehorses face if they are abandoned once their racing careers are over. It can be a very rewarding experience to know that by simply getting involved, one has contributed to improving, or even saving, the life of one of our noble athletes. It is a cause I wholeheartedly endorse."

Trevor Denman
 Track announcer for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, and Del Mar, Santa Anita, and Fairplex Park racetracks
 

 

ATFL NEWS

February 2008

 

Dear Friends, 

The first quarter of the year is the slowest time for donations for the rescue organizations. For this reason we have chosen this time of the year to disperse grants from After the Finish Line™. Of the grant applications we received, we decided to award funding to Tranquility Farm in Tehachapi, CA, Friends of Ferdinand in Indianapolis, IN and Heaven Can Wait in San Miguel, CA. These organizations embody the true meaning of Thoroughbred rescue. Congratulations! 

After the Finish Line™ has  kept a low profile since we launched our funding non-profit back in October '07. We have received our  tax exempt status from the State of CA and we are awaiting our Federal 501(C)(3) non-profit designation. That said, you will be hearing and seeing a lot more of us. I have been pleasantly surprised to see other rescues websites have already added our link. Thank you!!

We also received more press this month. Click here to read an informational article about After the Finish LineTM in Ranch and Coast magazine. On February 24th, the Daily Racing Form will be running our ad in their Gulfstream Park, Aqueduct, Santa Anita, Oaklawn Park and Fair Grounds papers. Please visit our Press page to see other articles about us. Also, remember the HYPHEN in our website! Our website address is
www.AftertheFinish-Line.org.

We will be making some minor changes to our website that will have a major impact. Keep checking in to follow our progress. Our monthly newsletters are also posted on www.AftertheFinishLine.info. We are also working on a short video that will touch your heart. It's our belated Valentine's Day present to the horses.

We are discussing a summer fundraiser to be held in August during the Del Mar race meet. Months of planning can only bring great benefits to the Thoroughbred horses that can no longer race or breed and the rescue organizations that care for them.

It has been a difficult year for the Thoroughbred rescue organizations. The rising cost of hay and a slowdown in the economy has greatly decreased their donations. Don't hesitate to become involved in saving Thoroughbred horses from going to slaughter. I can understand that someone who wants to donate to a rescue organization may not know which one to donate to. For the past seven years I have volunteered my time to rescue Thoroughbred horses and have assisted rescues throughout the United States. With our knowledge we can direct your donations to the rescues in need. You can contact After the Finish Line™ at dawn@afterthefinish-line.org.

 

Sincerely,

Dawn Mellen, President
After the Finish Line™
For more information call (858)350-1371.