THE SATURDAY POST

At some point in life, many people have probably uttered the words, “If I had the money, I would have invented this or that, built this or that, or surely, patented this or that idea.”  It may have been a good idea, perhaps a great one, but as funding can be tricky, the idea remained just that:  an idea.  

In some cases, we see a great idea in flight and think to ourselves, “I wish I had thought of that first.“  Sure, it could be a great idea that everyone is raving about from coast-to-coast.  But, in the end, even if you had the idea first, the old fickle road block of funding might have halted that marvelous idea at its’ inception.

Unless, of course, you can find yourself a “Grey Goose.”

When it comes down to horse racing, the invention of the $26m Breeders’ Cup World Championships was probably one of the most brilliant ideas that I never had to further the sport of horse racing.  And, I am happy I didn’t.  Because, in the end, my idea would never have taken flight when it came time to fund the whole event.

Sadly, I don’t have a “Grey Goose” to call upon.  

Yet, since 2005, a “Grey Goose” has been the official sponsor of the Breeders’ Cup event – Grey Goose Vodka.  And, the presence of the “Grey Goose” is pretty hard to overlook when it comes down to this marquee event in horse racing.  As the premier sponsor, Grey Goose is the title sponsor of the entire Breeder’s Cup series, as well as two of the races – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and The Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies.   

However, “The Grey Goose” doesn’t stop there.

Grey Goose, a premier vodka brand, seems to appreciate the luxurious quality of Thoroughbred horse racing.  The “Grey Goose” is ever-present during the two-day Breeders’ Cup series of races.  Aside from sponsoring two races, Gray Goose Vodka appears at all official Breeders’ Cup events, including the pre-race parties, the VIP winners’ circle celebration and the post-race reception.  Simply put, the “Grey Goose” is everywhere except on the race track itself.

Yet, what lies behind the prominent “Grey Goose” is a wealth of good for the Thoroughbred racing industry.      

Brown Forman, the parent company behind Grey Goose Vodka, is quite a large sponsor toward funding the continuity of this sport in general.  Aside from the Breeders’ Cup series, Brown Forman brands are present at plenty of major racing outings.  Brown Forman brands are the title sponsor for the Maker’s Mark Mile and the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic.  Further, their Korbel Champagne brand is the drink of plenty of toasts at winner’s circle celebrations, including the Arlington Million. 

And, in the end, Brown Forman goes beyond promotions and sponsorship in racing.  They give to Thoroughbred charities as part of their participation in the industry.  Since 2006, Brown Forman has sponsored the “$1,000 Mint Julep” on Kentucky Derby day through their Woodford Reserve brand.  The proceeds from the $1,000 Mint Julep are donated toward racing-related charities, including past contributions to the New Jersey-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and The Secretariat Foundation.

In the age where many Thoroughbred racing enthusiasts wonder about the future of the sport, I think it is important to recognize those who are investing in it now.  This Breeders’ Cup season, as I marvel over some of the greatest Thoroughbreds to grace an oval this year, I’ll be thankful to an unlikely character – a “Grey Goose” that saw the value in providing sponsorship for this majestic event in horse racing.

Nearly two years ago, I was talking with the retired Farm Manager of Claiborne Farm, the late John Sosby, about what it takes to find a winning horse.  He gave a broad smile and said, “Give me luck and I’ll beat you every time.”

As he stood at Claiborne Farm, the site where he had cared for many great Thoroughbreds at various stages in their lives, it seemed that having good luck was an undisputable factor that led to success with racehorses.  However, as I considered the late Mr. Sosby himself, it was apparent that he didn’t rest on his laurels and wait for luck to emerge in the fields.  He did something to bring its elusive character his way:  He did good. 

The late Mr. Sosby was good to whomever possible, wherever possible, and when it came to the horses in his care, his goodness was what he gave them.  Yes, luck was a figure that followed the late Mr. Sosby.  Yet, it seemed luck was romanced by his own goodness to the horses in his care. 

Quite possibly, goodness is the breeding ground for luck in racing.

If a tribute to that principle exists, it may lie in the undefeated two-year-old filly, Weemissfrankie, whose ownership connections include Dawn Mellen of Bran Jam Stables, the founder of After The Finish Line (ATFL), a non-profit dedicated to funding Thoroughbred rescue, retraining and retirement for ex-racehorses who can no longer race or breed. 

Mellen began volunteering at Thoroughbred rescues in the mid-1990s, where she realized that a major obstacle to helping retired Thoroughbreds was funding.  In response, Mellen founded ATFL in 2007.  ATFL provides monthly emergency funds and yearly grants to Thoroughbred rescues to fund retraining, rescue and rehabilitation efforts.    

ATFL funding is used for various purposes, including saving horses at auctions, paying for medical expenses, providing hay and feed, paying boarding expenses and transporting a Thoroughbred to safety.  Through providing the monetary means, ATFL helps assist in transitioning ex-racehorses into second careers. 

As a result of funding from ATFL, ex-racehorses have been retrained for dressage, trail riding or as hunter/ jumpers.  If the horse can no longer be ridden, they are retrained to provide equine therapy or serve as companion animals.  Through creating a funding organization for these efforts, Mellen has managed to show that every Thoroughbred has a value, even if it cannot race or breed. 

In the past few years, doing good has been the sole reward for Mellen’s efforts to assist ex-racehorses in their retirement.  ATFL board members receive no salary.  All funding directly benefits ex-racehorses in need of monetary assistance.

Then, along comes Weemissfrankie – a filly that has quite a gift for “goodness” on the race track.  In three starts, the talented filly has captured two Grade I wins, the Del Mar Debutante and the Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita, for her ownership team.  Currently, Weemissfrankie is heading to the Breeder’s Cup to compete in the $2 million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade I) on November 4th at Churchill Downs.  

It appears that goodness may truly be the breeding ground for luck in racing.  

Win or lose, it should be a good race.  With a little luck, Weemissfrankie will prevail, not just in this race, but in the race to raise awareness for the ex-racehorses who are in need of assistance at the close their career.  And, with a little goodness, retired racehorses will receive more of the public support that they deserve at the end of their racing days.       

For Mellen, it seems that her kindness toward ex-racehorses has brought her the luck that the late Mr. Sosby spoke about – The unbeaten kind.  Yet, when I look at where luck appears, it often follows the good people who value a Thoroughbred at every point in their career.  And, as far as being good to a horse in need, nothing can beat that endeavor at the finish line.

After The Finish Line is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in which donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  Visit the ATFL website at www.afterthefinishline.org or call 858.945.1371 to learn more or make a donation.  You can also visit ATFL on Facebook by clicking this link.