Friday, April 6, 2012

Kentucky Derby Party at Wine Loft to Raise Funds for Retired Racehorses in Need

STATE FARM, Va., April 5, 2012 – The James River Chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing lifetime care and adoption services for ex-racehorses, is hosting a Kentucky Derby Party Saturday, May 5, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Wine Loft in Glen Allen, Va.

The event celebrates the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, while helping to raise funds for the rescue and rehabilitation of ex-racehorses. This year’s party also includes a special celebration of the 40th anniversary of Riva Ridge’s (1969-85) 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes wins, which helped save Meadow Farm (also home to superhorse, Secretariat).

This sell-out event will feature complimentary world-class wine, mint juleps, hors d’oeuvres, cupcakes by Kakealicious, silent auction, $1,000 cash raffle, and Best Derby Hat competition. The event will be hosted by celebrity emcee, Steve ‘Mr. Beach’ Leonard. Dress is casual to Kentucky Derby formal.

“This is our third annual Kentucky Derby Party and the fact that it’s sold out every year since inception is a testament to both the fun it offers and the great cause it serves,” said TRF James River Chapter board president, Anne Tucker. “All proceeds will directly benefit the 28 very deserving retired Thoroughbreds we currently care for at the James River Work Center in Goochland County.”

Kentucky Derby Party tickets can be purchased for $50 per person by emailing Jennifer Berdell at Jennifer.berdell@ml.com or Stephanie Nixon at prayermtg@aol.com.

This is a closed event and tickets cannot be purchased at the door. Space is limited and tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the James River Chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

For those who are unable to attend this event, but would still like to support the TRF cause, please consider a donation, or options for adopting, sponsoring or fostering a Thoroughbred in need by visiting www.jamesriverhorses.org <http://www.JamesRiverHorses.org> .

About the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 with the mission of saving ex-racehorses from potential neglect, abuse, and slaughter. The TRF accomplishes its mission by providing ex-racehorses with lifetime care through rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, retirement, fostering, and adoption services. Today the program has 27 facilities in 13 states throughout the U.S. housing more than 1,100 ex-racehorses, many of whom are up for adoption. The TRF horses live at farms and at correctional facilities through a unique Second Chances program. The program is based on a partnership that authorizes public land use for TRF horses in exchange for a TRF-delivered equine care vocational training program for offenders. The TRF is the world's largest charitable organization devoted to equine rescue. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded entirely by donations from the general public, private grant sources, and the thoroughbred racing industry. The TRF is headquartered in Saratoga Springs, New York and can be reached at (518) 226-0028; by email at info@trfinc.org; or on the Web at www.trfinc.org <http://www.trfinc.org> .

About the TRF James River Chapter
The James River Chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation began in 2007. It operates a Second Chances program in conjunction with the James River Work Center, a Virginia correctional center located in Goochland County. The TRF James River Chapter stables dozens of horses cared for by offenders participating in its Groom Elite and stable management certification program. For more information, visit www.jamesriverhorses.org <http://www.jamesriverhorses.org>  or email statefarmhorses@aol.com.

Contact:
Christine Holley
Volunteer, Media Relations
The James River Chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
(804) 986-7184
cholley@verizon.net