The Exceller Fund
From AlexBrownRacing
Contents |
Basics
Web Address: The Exceller Fund
Phone: 818-429-3418
E-mail: mail@excellerfund.org
The Exceller Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Our federal tax ID is #75-2937532.
How to make a donation: Click the following link to the Exceller Fund "Donation" page and select from making on on-line donation with a credit card, making a donation by PayPal, by American Express or by sending a check: [1]
Fundraising efforts:
The Exceller Fund Gift Shop
The Exceller Fund Gift Shop offers many horse racing and Thoroughbred related items such as T-shirts, mugs, hats, bags, etc., as well as books, photographs, magnets, art prints and more. [2]
The Exceller Fund eBay Auctions
The Exceller Fund auctions various horseracing memorabilia to help raise money to take care of these magnificent equine athletes. Exceller Fund eBay auctions have featured hard to find out-of-print books, autographed photos, halters, art prints, and old racetrack promotional items eagerly sought by collectors.
You can keep track of these auctions on our "About Me" page on eBay: [3]
Pat DeLong's Anything Goes in Art store Artist Pat DeLong has been delighting racing fans with her beautiful portrayals of their favorite champions. She has dedicated a section of her store where a percentage of the purchases are donated to The Exceller Fund. [4]
Description of Rescue
The Exceller Fund began in 1997 following the shocking news of the death of Exceller in a slaughterhouse. The story was made public by Mike Mullaney of the Daily Racing Form.[5] A number of racing fans who posted messages on the original Bloodhorse Forum remembered Exceller. Amongst their spirited debates of the merits of Cigar and Skip Away, they realized that Exceller was probably as good or better, considering his record in the shadow of superstars such as Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Alydar, Forego, and Spectacular Bid.
These racing fans sought to start something that would achieve at least two goals: Keep alive the name and memory of Exceller, a horse often overlooked and forgotten among the decade of superstar champions, and to try to save other Thoroughbreds from meeting his fate.
The Fund started out small, with about 20 members. Pooling their money together, they were able to sponsor one horse that has been rescued from going to slaughter by the United Pegasus Foundation in southern California[www.unitedpegasus.com]. The horse was Elite Power[6], a full brother to Nationalore[7], a graded stakes placed horse also known as "racing richest maiden."
From that humble beginning, The Exceller Fund has grown to over 100 members and supports from 23 to 30 horses at any given time. The Exceller Fund does not own its own farm, but relies on a network of fosters, public stables, and other rescue organizations to provide the daily care for the horses until an adoptive home can be found. If an adoptive home cannot be found, The Exceller Fund members will support that horse for the rest of his or her life. Some horses are pensioned by The Exceller Fund as permanent retirees.
2007 marks a full decade since the death of Exceller. The Exceller Fund supports one of his daughters, Almata[8]. as a retiree. In early 2007, The Exceller Fund also took in Luckymata[9], the last foal of Almata, who retired from racing this year. Luckymata suffered a series of injuries that make it unlikely that he will ever be ridable, but during his racing career, he set a new course record for 8.5 furlongs, and won 10 out of 37 races. His connections donated him to The Exceller Fund so he would have a safe and secure future.
The Exceller Fund is 100% run by volunteers, and the officers and board members cover normal administrative expenses either out of pocket or by making a donation. The Exceller Fund has no paid staff, and strives to have as much of its donations as possible go towards the purchase, transport, board, care, vet and farrier expenses of the horses. The Exceller Fund's budget in 2006 year was just over $70,000 to support 30 horses!
Euthanasia Policy - The Exceller Fund will consider euthanasia as a last resort based on the advice of a qualified veterinarian for situations including severe colic, unrecoverable injuries, breakdown of physical condition, and other debilitating situations in which the horse is suffering and with no sustainable relief.
Rescue Network
The Exceller Fund has been a vital force in networking rescue organizations since our work depends on leveraging resources with other groups. The Exceller Fund has coordinated rescue efforts with groups including CANTER, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Friends of Ferdinand, United Pegasus Foundation, ReRun, Shiloh Horse Rescue, Pure Thoughts Horse and Foal Rescue, Old Friends, Equine Rescue Resource, and most recently Celtic Rein Equine Rescue.
Since The Exceller Fund was able to get started under an "umbrella" extended by the United Pegasus Foundation, The Exceller Fund has helped other organizations such as Old Friends with support and networking connections. The Exceller Fund loaned Rich In Dallas[10] to Old Friends to help with much needed publicity for their first Open House and major fundraiser. With Dallas' "star power", the event was a huge success!
The Exceller Fund also has an Emergency Fund program for other rescue organizations when they have an immediate need for funds up to $500 for vet expenses or to purchase or transport a Thoroughbred that is in a bad situation. The availability of this program heavily depends on any excess funding made possible by fundraising efforts.
The Exceller Fund hosts listings of Thoroughbreds available for sale either by trainers or owners. The horses are usually right off the track or they may be older broodmares in need of a new home. These listings are similar to what CANTER offers, so The Exceller Fund only provides this service at a track that does not have a CANTER program. If you are looking for your own OTTB, please check out the listings: [11]
Our Horses
Exceller Fund - Selway - great news!!!
Please pray for Eye Pea Oh!!!!!!!
The Exceller Fund has horses all over the country, from New Hampshire and New York, to Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and California. As horses get adopted and new horses come in, the locations may change, but the basic mission is still focused on helping Thoroughbreds by Providing a Future Beyond the Finish Line.
If you would like to visit any of our horses, please send an e-mail to mail@excellerfund.org and we will put you in direct contact with the foster provider. You can visit our horses on the web on the Our Horses page[12]
The Fans of Barbaro have helped The Exceller Fund rescue Midnite Ruckus[13], and are sponsoring Trois Villes[14] who is a joint effort with The Exceller Fund and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, and the FOB's put up the money necessary to secure the surgery needed to save the life of Take A Chance[15].
Our "movie star" horse, Rich In Dallas[16] helps bring awareness of the versatility of off-the-track Thoroughbreds (also known as OTTB's) and serves as the ambassador to the public for his racing brothers and sisters. He has made appearances at horse shows including the New Vocation Charity show, ReRun Charity show, and local shows in Virginia. He has won ribbons at three of his shows! Dallas has also appeared as a celebrity therepy horse at the University of Virginia Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center where he delighted the children and helped them deal with the difficult therapy and recovery road they face. He spent the summer of 2005 at the Kentucky Horse Park, appearing in the daily Parade of Breeds show. He has been a Celebrity horse at the Equine Affaire in Ohio and Massachusetts, and most recently met the governor of Virginia at the Legislative Trail Ride held in May 2007.
Future plans include additional visits to the University of Virginia children's center, and appearances at the Equine Extravaganza in Virginia and in North Carolina. Rich In Dallas resides at Woodridge Farm[17] under the watchful eye of Paul and Kelly Linn. He enjoys the company of his girlfriend Lexi and his buddies Treasure and Zip.
Photos of FOB horses
This is Midnight Ruckus. She was rescued in part with money donated by FOB's in memory of Pine Island. If you know someone looking for a nice filly who should do well in the show ring, send them over to look at Ruckus!
Here is Trois Villes . The Exceller Fund transfered him to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and pay his sponsorship with the help of the FOB's:
Here is Take A Chance . He has an angel at the track who pleaded for his life. The Exceller Fund asked if the FOB's could contribute money needed to schedule life saving surgery, and they responded! He was saved the same day as Exceller's 34th birthday, and the donations came in on Mother's Day. This horse who fractured his leg has an excellent chance at full recovery for a new career. The spirit of Barbaro lives on!
Here's Take A Chance at Tranquility Farm where he will continue his rehabilitation supported by The Exceller Fund. Sponsors are needed!!!!
Here is Thisbirdcanfly We ran into some additional expenses in transporting "Birdy" off the track, and the FOB's helped out by covering the additional costs.
Here's Eye Pea Oh. CANTER was able to raise funds from the FOB's and The Exceller Fund to acquire this classy 11 year old "warrior" in order to retire him. A vet exam revealed that Eye Pea Oh will need at least a year of rest before he can be evaluated for riding potential. CANTER is not set up for long-term rehab projects, so The Exceller Fund welcomed him into our program.
"OPIE" IS LOOKING FOR SPONSORS! WILL YOU HELP???
CARSON CITY KID is the latest beneficiary of the generosity of the FOB's. Carson City Kid......the career of an old warrior....still racing at age 13..........A Kentucky foaled son of Carson City, sold as a weanling at Keeneland ($80,000). Began his racing career in California.....and has literally been all over the country....Hollywood Park, Fair Grounds, Keeneland, Turfway, Monmouth, Delaware, Lone Star, Oaklawn, Churchhill, Ellis Park, Arlington, Hawthorn, Canterbury, etc......and Fargo, North Dakota. His current owner/trainer purchased him in the summer of 2005.
Unable to light the board at Canterbury, Carson City Kid's next venue would be the "fair" type meets in the northern midwest..... racing at Chippewa Downs near Belcourt, North Dakota and the North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo, North Dakota. His last race would be $1,500 claimer in September of 2007 in Fargo....he would run sixth.
This brings his lifetime starts to 119 and earnings of $310,105.
His current/owner trainer says that while he is still very sound, his racing days are over and he would like a good home for him.....he is not able to offer him a lifetime home. Thanks to the support of the FOB's and volunteers from The Exceller Fund and Friends of Ferdinand, Carson City Kid will get the retirement he deserves which could be anything from a new career in a forever home to just relaxing in the field.
Financials
Here are the Revenues and Expenses for The Exceller Fund at year-end 2006:
Feedback from FOBs
From volunteers who have visited the rescue etc which may include relevant links to the discussion board about the visit.
Questions from FOBs
This space available for FOBs to ask questions. Answers can then be worked into the above content if appropriate. Questions can be directed to mail@excellerfund.org.
Carson City Kid is stunningly beautiful - great picture!!! Swedishkat 22:04, 7 October 2007 (EDT)
IF YOU SEE A "CHANGE/EDIT" WITH MY NAME, IT IS BECAUSE I HAPPENED TO NOTICE A LITTLE TYPO... I CHANGED 1977 TO 1997. HOPE THAT WAS OK :-) (SWEDISHKAT)
Thanks Swedishkat! Sometimes I stay up way to late and things get blurry.... (ExcellerFund)
EXCELLER FUND UPDATES - are now available for viewing on our own message board
You do not need to be a member to read most of the forums, but you do need to be an Exceller Fund member to post!
How is Take A Chance?
ANSWER: Take A Chance continues to recover well. His stitches were removed and he is now at Tranquility Farm for rehab. We are looking for sponsors that can help with $200 in monthly expenses.
I "cleaned up" the message board-link a bit and added "blue ink" to the FOB-horses names (which is "clickable" and takes you to their pedigrees...). Hope you didn't mind... :) Oh, and no need to add [IMG] to pictures on the wiki - I took those off too. (swedishkat)
I want to send money to help with Bryan's Account. How do I specify that I want it to go for his care? Thanks for all you do, BTW. All your horses are gorgeous! MAry in MD
