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West Point Thoroughbreds launches retirement program

Posted: Thursday, February 16, 2012 12:32 PM

Edited press release

One year ago, West Point Thoroughbreds lost a cherished friend and faithful employee when Congie DeVito passed away due to complications from Osteogenesis Imperfecta (also known as brittle bone disease).

In honor of Congie’s memory and on the one-year anniversary of his death, West Point Thoroughbreds announced the formation of the “Congie Black and Gold Fund,” a program that secures the retirement of all past, current, and future horses bought and/or raced by the stable.

Beginning February 16, financials for each new partnership formed by West Point will include a $1,000 donation to the fund. Going forward, $10 per start per horse will be drawn from the partnership to be placed into the fund on behalf of that runner’s future, while West Point Thoroughbreds will match that amount.

“Congie DeVito was our first employee,” said West Point founder and President Terry Finley. “He bravely faced his physical challenges, was a real inspiration to all of us, and absolutely loved horses—they were a huge part of his life. I can’t think of a better way to honor his memory than to secure a safe future for all runners that campaign under the black and gold.”

Financial aspects of the Congie Black and Gold Fund will be administered by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF). These funds will go toward re-homing, re-training, shipping, and daily care, and maintenance for horses no longer competing on the track. All donations are tax deductible. West Point Thoroughbreds will also allocate resources to monitor horses lost by sale or claim, ensuring their safe retirement to the fullest extent possible.

“We can evaluate and analyze the horse retirement situation until the cows come home, but the bottom line is that individual owners have to step up and take complete responsibility for the horses that carry their colors,” Finley said. “In a fragmented industry, I don’t see this issue being solved on a national basis any time soon, but that doesn’t diminish owners’ responsibility to their equine athletes.”

To read more about the program, click here