After the Races (ATR) and the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) jointly announced their gratitude and appreciation for splitting the win in Resolute Racing’s Poker For Ponies Tournament earlier this month on May 1. The poker tournament took place at Louisville Thoroughbred Society in the build-up to the Kentucky Derby, welcoming 40 players with a $5,000 buy-in, with two players pledged to each of 20 selected Thoroughbred aftercare organizations. A total of $200,000 was raised.

Jimmy Gladwell, representing Taylor Made Farm and playing for the RRP, and Gavin O’Connor, representing Resolute Racing and playing for ATR, tied for the win and split the winnings of first and second place between the two organizations, who will receive $32,500 apiece.

ATR, based in Elkton, MD, is an accredited aftercare organization specializing in the rehabilitation and rehoming of retired racehorses. Since their start in 2011, more than 900 retired racehorses have transitioned through ATR into adoptive homes across the country.

“Watching the Poker for Ponies tournament was thrilling and ATR is honored to have been chosen as one of the beneficiaries. The funding is well timed as ATR will soon be expanding its space for horses rehabilitating from career-ending injuries,” says founder and director Bonnie McRae. “Support from the racing industry has played a vital role in making our work possible. Thank you, John Stewart, for your vision and initiative to be part of the aftercare process, and of course to Gavin for playing hard on behalf of our organization. Your actions have made an impact.”

The RRP, based in Edgewater, MD, works to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing through services and events designed to inspire and educate equestrians to seek Thoroughbreds ex-racehorses for sport and recreational partners.

“The RRP is honored to have been selected as a beneficiary of the Poker For Ponies tournament amongst many other worthy aftercare organizations, and we are proud to share in the winning outcome with After the Races,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “With this tournament, John Stewart has shown that there are innovative and impactful ways to support the work of a variety of aftercare organizations, and we look forward to supporting the tournament in the future.”

ATR and the RRP are grateful to John Stewart and the team at Resolute Racing for producing Poker For Ponies, and would like to extend particular thanks to their designated players.