Winchester racehorse retirement facility managing in tough economy

To understand why Grace Belcuore does what she does, one first has to understand thoroughbred horses and the industry for which they were bred: racing.

Belcuore, a small, silver-haired woman of a certain “maturity” who won’t give up her age, cares for 71 horses at the non-profit Winchester-based California Equine Retirement Foundation. Ninety-eight percent of the horses at the facility are thoroughbreds, and nearly all of them set hooves on nearby racetracks like Del Mar, Santa Anita and Hollywood Park.

In 1986, Belcuore founded California Equine Retirement Foundation with the aim of caring for the overwhelming number of retired racehorses in need of homes.

Although racing has its million-dollar babies, most former racehorses aren’t highly valued, especially if they don’t have a good race record. For gelded (castrated) horses, Belcuore said the picture is even grimmer. As a result, many former racehorses end up unwanted.

Belcuore said she saw a need, but it was the 1984 retirement of one of, arguably, the most famous racehorses that really launched her into action.

“John Henry started it all for me,” she said. “He was such an incredible horse. When he looked at you, it was like looking into the eyes of an old soul.”

John Henry, who passed in 2007 at 32 years old, is the stuff of legends. Retired in 1984 with 39 wins, the gelding earned $6,591,860 over an eight-year career and retired as thoroughbred racing’s all-time leading earner.

Belcuore said she got to know the horse and his handlers through a connection in the racing industry.

“He was a small horse,” she said. “But when he stepped on the track, he was a giant.”

In 1984, John Henry was retired from racing and was shipped from California back East.

On the night he was scheduled to leave, one of the horse’s handlers called Belcuore and told her that if she wanted to say good-bye she needed to get over to Santa Anita right away.

“I spent a lot of time talking to John that night, telling him I would take care of his geldings,” she said. “The tears were just rolling down my face.”

Since John Henry’s retirement, the thoroughbred racing industry has suffered a few black eyes. Some racing critics claim the biggest blow came during the 2008 Kentucky Derby, when millions of television viewers watched as a big gray filly named Eight Belles crossed the finish line only to be euthanized moments later due to a catastrophic injury.

Eight Belles’ demise prompted a flurry of media reports about racing’s safety record. Charges were levied against owners and trainers: racehorse doping, use of special horses shoes designed for speed caused injury to the animals, excessive whipping during runs, and starting young horses in training too soon.

Although the racing industry has tried to improve its public image since the Eight Belles incident, Belcuore said abuse is still a problem.

“Young horses are coming off the track torn up and full of drugs,” she said.

But perhaps the most enduring criticism has been the industry’s apathy toward overbreeding and irresponsible breeding.

“Racehorses aren’t what they used to be,” Belcuore said. “They aren’t bred to last; they are bred for speed. That’s it. That’s all that matters. We aren’t doing right by these horses, and it’s getting worse.”

Despite the industry’s problems, Belcuore loves all thoroughbreds, even the ones that are broken and spent. Driving with her around the immaculate 10-acre CERF facility, which is situated just outside the Menifee city limits, horses look and call to her. She hands each a treat, a warm pat and kind words. All seem well cared for, calm and content.

“He’s the king around here,” Belcuore said of a big gray gelding named Top This And That.

“That’s Simmer,” she said. “He was born blind in one eye, but it never stopped him from racing.”

Belcuore knows all their names — Slewjinkski, Felon, Unfurl the Flag — all former racehorses whose days on the track are forever behind them.

The current CERF residents all have permanent homes at the facility.

“We adopt out horses that are sound and safe,” Belcuore said, “but right now I don’t have any that are both.”

Belcuore said she has adopted out more than 300 horses since CERF’s inception, but she’s very particular about who a horse goes to.

“I have to know that the horse will be ok, and that the owner will be ok,” she said. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

Most horses at CERF are sponsored. (Individual sponsors donate to a particular horse over a period of time.) Belcuore admits the tough economy has impacted CERF’s financial situation.

“I’m about $30,000 behind right now, but somehow we always make it through,” she said.

A retired schoolteacher, Belcuore said she doesn’t take a salary and operates the facility on a skeleton staff of five ranch hands and one administrative assistant. She relies on sponsorships, donations and grants to stay afloat.

“It isn’t easy to raise money, especially in this economy,” she said. “I’ve always worked, so it isn’t easy to beg.” But Belcuore thinks she’s lucky.

“There’s been a lot of highs and lows,” she said, “but the love is here for the horses.”

Toni McAllister is SWRNN’s lifestyles editor. She can be reached at toni.mcallister@yahoo.com.

Tags: Add new tag, California Equine Retirement Foundation, Del Mar, Eight Belles, Grace Belcuore, Hollywood Park, John Henry, kentucky derby, Menifee, Santa Anita, SWRNN, Toni McAllister, winchester

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