Thistledown racetrack in Cleveland, Ohio, will host the Fifth Annual Silent Auction to benefit New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program on Saturday, Oct. 30, which is Breeders’ Cup Day. Once again, General Manager Bill Murphy has offered the use of the clubhouse for this most important fund-raising event.

New Vocations is a charitable organization that offers retiring racehorses a safe haven, rehabilitation, and continued education through placement in experienced, caring homes. This year the nationally accredited adoption program will handle the placement of more than 250 former racehorses. “Most of the horses arriving at New Vocations are ones that are difficult for owners and trainers to sell privately,” said executive director Dot Morgan. “They are often injured and thin, small and plain, or hampered with vices. Without a useful skill to offer many of these would go to slaughter.”     

New Vocations is seeking contributions for its Fifth Annual Silent Auction. “Every dollar donated and the proceeds of every item auctioned goes directly to the care of the horses,” Morgan emphasized. Art and memorabilia are especially popular.  Tickets to sporting events, vacation packages, tack, gift items, and a variety of goods and services are also needed to make this fundraiser a success. Last year’s event raised nearly $8,000.

Contributions can be sent to the New Vocations office at 3293 Wright Rd., Laura, OH 45337, or left with Heather McColloch in the publicity department at Thistledown. Checks and merchandise can also be dropped off on the backstretch with trainers Gary Miller or Ben Mumaw. New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is a 501(c)3 public charity. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. For more information contact Dot Morgan at 937/947-4020 or dot@horseadoption.com. To learn more about New Vocations visit its web site at www.horseadoption