Castle Village Cares

01/11/2024

Happy Halloween from SUNSET DRAGUNN! 🌅🐉 Can anyone guess what he dressed up as this year…?

06/09/2024

Thank You , Thank You, to all the former partners of Castle Village Farm and friends of Castle Village Cares for your generous support of our summer fundraiser to help with the retirement of two of our former horses , Raf and Ready( at Unbridled Sanctuary ) and Soul P Say (at Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue) . Even though it has been some time since Castle Village Farm partnership hung up its silks we are proud to say that our former partners are always there to ensure the safe and comfortable retirements of our gallant horses who provided us with so many happy memories , no matter how many times they raced in our colors. We are pleased to report we were able to send checks with generous donations to Unbridled Sanctuary and Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue to see that Raf and Ready and Soul P Say can live out the rest of their lives in safety and comfort

06/09/2024

Welcome SUNSET DRAGUNN 🌅🐉

Sunset Dragunn, by Bold Chieftan and out of an Indian Charlie mare, joins the CANTER California adoption program at ten years of age following a long career of 62 starts (8-12-12) and $250,523 in earnings.

He was supposed to race one more time — Sunday morning! — but instead showed up to CANTER after an overnight haul and experienced his very first day of being an OTTB. We are thankful to two extremely generous donors who sponsored his transport to our program and to his connections for retiring him safely with us.

What’s next Sunset Dragunn? You tell us!

Want to help us help more horses like Sunset Dragunn retire and transition from life at the track? CANTER is a 501c3 organization and accepts tax-deductible donations via Venmo (canterca) and via PayPal ([email protected]). 💙

03/09/2024

Congratulations Buttah🎉🏇🎉Half brothers Lobsta 🏇🦞and Chowda 🏇and mom Salty Little Sis are so proud https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ApDn8utzZVDrXKKn/?mibextid=WC7FNe

29/07/2024

To the Friends and Alumni of Castle Village Farm --

Another summer at Saratoga begins - bringing back thrilling memories of Castle Village Farm’s many victories here, our horses, and, of course, the best racing partners ever!

Although Castle Village Farm is no longer active in racing, we continue to do our best to provide a safe and comfortable retirement for the horses that raced under our colors. To that end, we established Castle Village Cares Inc. to keep track of our former horses as they finish their racing careers and retire.

Late last year we were shocked to find our former race mare Raf and Ready needed to be rescued from an upstate auction.

A lot of you will remember Raf and Ready. Castle Village Farm bought Rafy at the Timonium FT sale in 2003. She raced in the Castle Village Farm colors until she retired to be a broodmare in 2006 in what was thought to be a good, forever home. Raf and Ready raced 17 times earning $145,777, trained by the late Billy Turner with 3 firsts, 6 seconds and 3 thirds.

The good news is that she was purchased by Susan Kayne’s Unbridled Sanctuary in Greenville NY, where she will have a forever home. But Unbridled Sanctuary depends on donations to fund its rescues. So we are turning to you, Castle Village Farm partners, for help.
At almost the same time as Rafi was rescued our former horse Soul P Say was listed for adoption as a “pasture ornament” at Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue. Soul P Say raced for us twice at Saratoga in July and August of 2019 before being claimed away. A true warhorse Soul P Say earned $218,616 with 35 starts 10 wins 3 seconds and 7 thirds. His 35 races and popularity at the claim box cause enough wear and tear to affect his ability to ever have a second career making him difficult to adopt. Your donations will go to support his retirement at Mid Atlantic

Castle Village Farm’s former race horses depend on you!

Your donation will be fully tax deductible. To donate by credit card, go to PayPal and address your donation to [email protected]. If you prefer to send a check, make it out to Castle Village Cares and send it to Teresa Fasolino, President, Castle Village Cares, 233 East 21st Street Apt 6 New York, NY 10010.

We thank you for your generous support.

Pat Boig, Teresa Fasolino, Carmen Urrutia, Jean Zorn
Directors, Castle Village Cares
[insert CVCares FB link here]

Castle Village Cares Inc. (EIN number 47-2283278) is a New York not-for-profit corporation and is tax exempt pursuant to IRC section 501(c)3. No goods or services were provided in connection with this contribution.

29/06/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/W6zLpf3RD7GgARTA/?mibextid=WC7FNe

🌹 Join us on Sunday, July 7th, from 5:30pm-9pm at the Belmont Chaplaincy Center to honor the memory of Toby Sheets. Service to start at 7:30pm. Let's come together as family and friends to offer support and keep his spirit alive. 🙏

Toby Sheet Memorial Page ⬇️
https://www.facebook.com/share/poJzsdAmhsfYfu3b/

06/06/2024

A sad infuriating end for a beautiful track. Thanks to a greedy heartless company. I hope you will read Jay Hovdey’s requiem to Golden Gate Fields

On Racing

05/06/2024

https://x.com/toddtvg/status/1797457598494773756?s=46&t=GSIsnY40lMRip3rT3-n8Gw

05/06/2024

https://x.com/unusualheat/status/1798385432465707338?s=46&t=GSIsnY40lMRip3rT3-n8Gw

01/05/2024

We have some impossibly sad news to post. Shivani Shah's beloved Finny our own Saint Finian suffered a catastrophic accident and has passed away. Here are Shivani's own words of tribute to her beloved Finny . There are no words to express our sadness at learning this news . Finny was 13 years old . He raced in our colors . CVCares helped bring him home when he wound up in Puerto Rico. His former owner Mr. Warren and his breeder Anita Cauley donated the money to get him back and Kelley Stobie at Carribiean Thoroughbred aftercare as always was there to make the arrangement to bring him home . He
rehabbed after coming back to the mainland with The Brennan's at Final Furlong

SHIVANI"S TRIBUTE TO FINNY

There was a before you and a during you. But for some reason it never occurred to me that there would be an after you…
at least not so soon.

Yesterday evening Finny broke/fractured his leg and because of the location, we had to say goodbye.

Although time was not in our favor, every single minute of our 2 years was so special to me. Every moment with him taught me so much. I would not be the horse person or rider I am today without him. We had many ups and downs, but even when it was hard I never wanted to give up on him. And he never gave up on me. I am beyond grateful that I got to have Finny, and I wouldn’t trade our partnership for the world. He was my BEST friend and I would do anything for him. Unfortunately with that, I had to let him go.

I’ll never forget the day I saw him in Lina Marie’s pasture. I hadn’t even met him and I just knew he was the one. Just watching him graze and be a horse was all it took for me to know I loved him. I always knew he was the one. I remember I refused to go try other horses for sale because I couldn’t let go of him. Every moment with him made me feel like the luckiest girl in the entire world. And I was.

The day we brought him to H&H was the happiest day of my life. The feeling of knowing I’d have him for a long time and that he’d be with me for all the big moments compared to no other. Although he won’t be able to be there, he’ll always have the most special place in my heart. He was the most perfect first horse a girl could ever ask for. He was so patient and willing with me and had such an amazing brain. I remember Eleanore Schatzer telling me not to do so many things because it would be dangerous, but I knew him and I always did it. He let me do whatever I wanted. I can’t recall the amount of times I’ve gone under his stomach or sat on him in the stall with no tack and helmet. Maybe it was dangerous but Finn always took care of me even when I wanted to do dumb stuff. Other horses I know would never let me do that lol. He was just the bestest boy ever.

I love you so incredibly much, Finian. You were my bestest friend and you always will be. I may be deeply heartbroken, but it helps to know you are out of pain and galloping around with your friends up in heaven. Maybe getting with some hot mares, lol. I know you always loved them. Even though it was sudden, I really hope we made your last day a good one with lots of grain and treats, surrounded by the love of our great farm family.

Special thank you to ( his vet )for giving him a peaceful send off 🕊️

The biggest thank you to my parents, Shanon Shah and Tej Shah for blessing me with the gift of my first horse. I am beyond grateful.

Thank you to everyone who came out to be there for me and my mom and to let his last moments be surrounded by so much love.

Fly high Finny boy

22/03/2024

Happy birthday to our Dear Saint Finian . Thank you to his mom Shivani for sharing photos of her beloved Finney on his birthday on Saint Patrick's day.🍀❤️🐎

22/03/2024

Happy 12th 🎉 🎂🥕🐎❤️To our Gorgeous Queen Santora , aka OK by Me . Thank you to her loving mom Kimberly for sharing the photos and loving her so much. Santora gets more beautiful every year.

18/03/2024

Happy Birthday to Saint Finian , Finney

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/UNQA4rMLRUVsNzFE/?mibextid=WC7FNe❤️🏇🎉🎂🍬🥕

05/03/2024

Goodbye to all this 😡😢

14/02/2024

A Very Happy 20th Birthday to our former horse That’ll Do 🎉❤️🐎🎈🥕🎂 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ZypgEKCnxJ1WjPHG/?

20/01/2024

03/01/2024

Congratulations on your retirement. ❤️🎉 We thank you Michael for everything you have done , for having the imagination and foresight to create Old Friends , the gold standard of equine retirement . Congratulations on finding the right person to take Old Friends into the future while you will be there to guide him and remain greeting visitors with your beloved horses.

Michael Stepping Down as President; John Nicholson Named President and CEO.

Starting off 2024 with big news. 20 years after founding Old Friends, Michael is stepping down as President. “OF needs a really good CEO that has managed a much bigger facility than we have, and the only way that we can improve is to get more space for more horses, which means more money, more donations, and an executive CEO that knows how to handle big business. As I was looking for someone to step into the position, something that was a big concern for me was to find somebody who had the same attitude towards the horses that I did. I always worried about that. Well, now, with John coming on board, I'm not worried about it at all. I feel like, instead of being an old has been, I feel that a big weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.”

For entire details, please follow the full press release here and thank you.

https://conta.cc/3veCebO

17/12/2023

🌟 Introducing Raf and Ready: A Resilient New York-Bred Thoroughbred, Born March 4, 2002 🌟

it's with great joy that we announce Raf, an extraordinary mare with a spirit as vast as her legacy, has found safety and a loving home with Unbridled. Her rescue from a confounding discard at an auction narrates a story rich in hope, resilience, and the transformative power of compassion.

This pivotal rescue mission was achievable only through the incredible generosity of our donors. Your support saved Raf from the harrowing journey of entering the slaughter pipeline. You also illuminated hope for the young girl, who tearfully parted with her beloved Raf, proving that in the face of despair, compassion can triumph.

Your unwavering support is the cornerstone that enables us to continue our essential mission.

Stay tuned for Raf's full story, encompassing her time on the racetrack, her days in breeding, her transition to a trusted riding companion, and ultimately, her bewildering discard at auction and rescue by US. It's an inspiring tale that not only highlights her incredible endurance but also reflects the significant impact of our collective efforts.

We're deeply grateful for your role in Raf's new beginning. Together, we're making a difference, one horse at a time.

For the Horses, Susan Kayne 🐴💕

NYBreds.com

06/12/2023

03/12/2023

Great news. 🎉🎉🐎🐎❤️❤️ Miss Tequila and her new friend Noble Indy have arrived home. Thank you to everyone who donated to make this happy day possible. And as always to Kelley. Without her hard work , her amazing heart and determination there would be no happy homecomings like this one today .

28/10/2023

Lobsta 🦞🏇is very excited to be entered in the Empire Classic Sunday at Belmont at the Big A NY bred Showcase day. The best of luck , a safe and winning trip to our Beloved🦞🏇❤️ Lobsta , to Eddie F’s Racing to Rachel Sells and her whole team. Heman Harkie up🍀🙏❤️🐇🏇🦞🐇❤️🙏🍀

13/10/2023

As Frida watches Summer roll into Fall, she cannot help but anticipate the slip from Fall into Winter. Nor can we.

With Winter comes a necessary halt to life for much of Mother Nature. It is Her time to rest and recover. Her provision of forage for the mothers of Abiding Sunday disappears, leaving them to rely on the preparation of hay from the seasons previous. Unfortunately, 2023 was not a kind year for hay yield, and preparations, though made, do not have tons of fruit to bear.

So! On behalf of the equine mothers who cannot verbalize for themselves, we are asking for additional help to secure hay for the winter months.

All donations - be it monetary or in-kind through donations of hay itself - are tax deductible for the donors. Donations can be made online via:

* PayPal: paypal.me/abidingsunday
* Venmo: (if prompted, last 4 digits are 7670)

Cash or checks can be mailed and hay can be delivered! Simply message us for the address!

Thank you in advance!

29/09/2023

Thanks to everyone who donated to save Slewessence. She is coming along beautifully thanks to the care of Abiding Sunday

✨ UPDATE: Frida ✨

We present to you JC Slewessence, also known as Frida.

It has not even been a month since she arrived, and she is darker.
She is fuller.
She is more energetic.
And, she is HUNGRY!
This horse did not lose weight for lack of appetite, that's for sure!

We have our veterinarian coming out next week to look at her teeth and overall health. We plan to discuss potential pregnancy as well.

If you would like to support her on-going cares, we encourage you to donate online via

✨ PayPal: PayPal.me/AbidingSunday

- or -

✨ Venmo:

20/09/2023

Congratulations Lobsta 🎉❤️🏇🦞❤️🎉