Perhaps you know Joe? Perhaps you know someone like Joe. A good, loyal worker who's company decides to let him go. But this particular Joe is not a factory worker. He is a Thoroughbred racehorse and his owners no longer see him as "valuable." This Joe won't be standing in any unemployment lines... [read more] "Hats Off Day" at the Kentucky Horse Park Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Stop by and see us! [read more] All News :  Are you our Facebook Fan? Friday, May 28, 2010 Be sure to become one, this is where we post most of our updates! [read more] All News :  Adopter mourns loss of special horse Friday, March 12, 2010 With tremendous sadness Cynthia Fleming notified the Exceller Fund that her wonderful Forty-Five was euthanized because of injuries suffered when he was struck by a car after the curious gelding wandered out of his paddock. [read more] All News :

The Exceller Fund works to transition Thoroughbred horses to a second career off the track. The Exceller Fund acquires horses that might be at risk for slaughter and cares for them until an adoptive home is found or retirement for a few horses when sponsorship is provided. The Exceller Fund also works to facilitate the placement of Thoroughbreds with local horse rescue organizations. We work with many other organizations in any capacity we can in order to save as many Thoroughbreds as possible.


The current economic set-up and taxation on horse racing works against many of the horses that make the sport possible. While some horses are retired to plush and fancy breeding farms to produce the next generation, there are many hard working horses that are discarded like a used lottery ticket. Breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys, racetracks, and our government make money on these horses but make almost no provisions for many of these horses at the end of their careers.

Thoroughbreds are wonderful and amazing horses. Bred over the centuries for speed and strength, they are highly intelligent and sensitive horses who bond quickly to humans. It is this intelligence and bonding that makes them great race horses, but that bond is betrayed on the slaughterhouse floor.

The Exceller Fund is bringing together racing fans, people from the racing industry, and people who just love horses in general to find new careers for these magnificent athletes. Thoroughbreds have proven themselves as therapy horses in prison programs, youth programs, and have even helped to heal the mental scars from the battlefield for returning veterans.


The Exceller Fund has helped many horses transition to new homes and careers after racing, but we are entirely dependent on donations to pay for the vet care, food and transport in order to help these horses transition from the hectic life on the track to a new life where their value does not depend on whether or not they can make money for their owner.

We are an organization of more than 100 racing fans and horse lovers who make a commitment to care for our horses who are making their transition off the racetrack. Our members are located all over the U.S. and Canada, and stay in touch through e-mail and our bi-monthly electronic newsletters. Members participate by voting on the fund’s activities and on the horses we purchase.

At the beginning of every month, members send their donation to The Exceller Fund, Inc. These monthly donations are used to care for our horses until they are adopted into a permanent home. The minimum donation per member is $15 per month. Any remaining money is put into a special rescue fund, which is used for purchasing new horses in need of a loving home.

The Fund also sells or auctions items, such as Exceller T-shirts, hand-made stuffed animals, hard-to-find books about Thoroughbreds and racing, and Thoroughbred art and photographs. Links to available items can be viewed at The Exceller Fund Gift Shop.

Thank you for visiting our new website, we hope that you will visit often and share the link with your friends and family. With your help, we can help more horses and even help these horses help people. Please consider helping us give these horses “A Future Beyond the Finish Line.”

Board of Directors Gary Contessa Cory M. Williams, DVM Bonnie Mizrahi Billy Huntington	Officers Gary Contessa, President Nicole Smith, Executive Director & Corporate Secretary Bonnie Mizrahi, Treasurer
Honorary Board Steve Haskin, Senior Contributor, The Bloodhorse Barbara Livingston, Photographer, Eclipse Award Winner Hallie McEvoy, noted Author of Genuine Risk, Showing for Beginners, and Horse Show Judging for Beginners Lorna Coyle, DVM – Otter Creek Equine Associates, Virginia

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