🐎 From Racetrack to New Purpose

Every horse deserves a second chance - especially these pristine young athletes!

At Sandia Creek Ranch Auxiliary Foundation (SCRAF), we are working with five-seven retired racehorses - each one recently stepping off the track and into a new life filled with possibility, partnership, and purpose.

These horses have given everything on the racetrack.
Now, it’s our turn to give back.

Over the next several months, our team will guide them through a carefully structured training program - building trust, confidence and new skills as they transition into new careers. This journey will lead us to the 2026 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park, where these incredible athletes will showcase just how much they are capable of beyond racing.

But getting there is no small task.

Transporting horses from California to Kentucky, along with the covering their costs while they learn and gain experiences before the trip, is a significant undertaking. That’s where you come in.

Your support helps provide:

Safe transportation across the country
Training and conditioning for each horse
Veterinary care and daily needs
The opportunity for these horses to succeed in their second careers

More than anything, your donation gives these horses something priceless:

✨ A second chance
✨ A new purpose
✨ A future beyond the track

At SCRAF, we believe in: Rescue • Restore • Embrace • Empower

And together, we can help these horses not only reach Kentucky - but thrive when they get there.

💚 Be Part of Their Journey

Every donation, no matter the size, moves us one step closer to the starting gate in Kentucky.

Because this isn’t just about a competition…

It’s about rewriting what’s possible for a Thoroughbred.

We hope you'll join us on this journey!

🐎 Savel (CA) - Sire: Pavel & Dam: Loan Savant (by Spring At Last)

She is a dapple grey Thoroughbred mare who raced at Del Mar Racetrack and Los Alamitos Race Course, making 3 starts during her racing career. Her career Earnings were $1,780 finishing 7th, 7th, and 5th but this doesn't tell her full story. She ran her Last Race on September 14, 2025. During her time on the track, Savel suffered a fractured fetlock, requiring surgery. But here’s the part that matters most…

Her racing connections didn’t give up on her. They made sure she received the care she needed - because her life after racing mattered.

🌱 Her Second Chance - Savel arrived at SCRAF on March 13, 2026 as a graduate of the CARMA program. Now, instead of stalls and starting gates, she’s discovering something new:

✨ pasture time
✨ quiet moments
✨ and people who see her for who she can become

🐾 Who She Is: Savel is the kind of horse who wants to connect.

She Loves interacting with her handlers
She is curious and engaged
She’ll happily do just about anything for a treat 😉

Right now, she’s learning:

Better ground manners
How to relax into her new life
That she’s safe

And she’s taking it all in stride.

🏇 Looking Ahead - Savel is casually eyeing the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover 👀

…but only if she decides that’s the path she wants. At SCRAF, her future isn’t forced! It’s guided by what’s best for her. Whether she becomes a competition horse, a trail partner, or something in between… her journey will be built on confidence, trust, and choice.

💜 How You Can Help These Horses - Every donation helps support:

🥕 Daily feed & care
🦷 Veterinary & farrier support
🏇 Training & development
🚛 Potential travel to the Makeover

(Each horse's story coming soon)

2026 SCRAF Team - TB Makeover

SCRAF's 2026 Team

Team Leaderboard

Team Members