Florida Thoroughbred Transformation Expo Takes Place Next Month
BY MIKE HENRY
OLDSMAR, FL. – The inscription on the giant bell inside the Tampa Bay Downs winner’s circle reminds horsemen, jockeys and fans that their love of the sport wouldn’t be possible without the Thoroughbreds that make it happen.
The message reads “This Bell Rings for the Love and Respect of the Thoroughbred.” It underscores a conviction that animals bred for centuries to give their utmost in competition deserve the chance to show their worth after their on-track careers have ended.
The bell in the winner circle rings whenever a winning owner, trainer or jockey makes a donation to the program, a joint initiative between the Run for the Ribbons aftercare organization and Tampa Bay Downs.
Winning owners and trainers donating $100 or more can ring the bell, while jockeys can donate any amount.
Run for the Ribbons, which was founded in 2014 by president Laurine Fuller-Vargas, strives to raise awareness of retired Thoroughbreds as sport horses while educating equestrians and the community at large of their worth both during and after their racing careers.
Ring the Bell made its debut in the spring of 2022 at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., and the program here works in partnership with the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation.
Now one year later, the proceeds from track’s program helps support responsible Thoroughbred aftercare organizations in Florida, with the goal of re-training retired racehorses for other disciplines and finding suitable homes for those in need of a place to enjoy retirement.
“Essentially, ‘Ring the Bell’ is a retirement fund that is going to enable us to help more horses every year,” Fuller-Vargas said.
Run for the Ribbons is based at Fuller-Vargas’s 65-acre Cedar Lock Farm in Morriston, just outside of Ocala. The Run for the Ribbons program was accredited in 2024 by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in Lexington, Ky.
“The TAA accreditation is a big step forward for our organization,” Fuller-Vargas said. “It advances our goals and our mission of promoting excellent, responsible aftercare for our beloved Thoroughbreds.
“The money donated to ‘Ring the Bell’ here at Tampa Bay Downs will only go to Florida aftercare organizations. Because we have such a large facility at the farm, our focus is on re-training and re-homing, and if we get one that is unable to go on we make them a lifer” (enabling that horse to live at the farm), she said.
Trainer Kathleen O’Connell said, “I hope the program gains momentum and other tracks take heed and join in. Retired racehorses should be taken care of, and I hope everyone gets involved.”
Fuller-Vargas said planning is underway to build another barn at the farm and launch a youth program for budding equestrians from ages 10-18 to work with off-the-track Thoroughbreds.
“Whether it’s grooming horses or just leading them or getting the opportunity to work with the horses and show them, it will give these kids a chance to learn how versatile and intelligent Thoroughbreds are,” she said.
Run for the Ribbons is playing host to the eighth annual Florida Thoroughbred Transformation Expo Dec. 13-15 at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala. Competition will be held in six disciplines – freestyle, show jumper, dressage, working ranch/trail horse, show hunter and eventing with $15,000 in prize money to be awarded. Admission is free to spectators.
For details or to make a contribution, visit www.runfortheribbons.org
