The California Thoroughbred Foundation has awarded the 2023 Louis R. Rowan Fellowship Award to Shadira Gordon, a PhD student in the epidemiology graduate group at the University of California, Davis. During the first two years of her PhD, Shadira conducted a case-control study to evaluate the effect of host characteristics, diet, and biosecurity protocols in California performance horses during a equine-alphaherpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) outbreak. Her results pinpointed such crucial factors  influencing EHV-1 susceptibility as how often horses attend competitions, the number of horses attending from the same facility, and the nature of competitive activities. Currently, Shadira is working on identifying and categorizing the strains isolated during the ongoing EHV-1 out-break, which has affected more than 15 California counties. Her goal is to integrate potential prevention strategies, the genetic characteristics of EHV-1 and EHM, and social network analyses of Thoroughbred horse movements between events.  Beyond her research, Shadira strongly advocates for One Health initiatives. She has been a regular participant and discussion leader at events like the UC Davis Education Conference on... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation sincerely thanks the following for their generous donations supporting our programs. Alan Balch Melinda Brown Robert T. Cannon CRK Stables, LLC Catherine and Mark Devereaux Tracy Gantz Vito A. Gioiello Jane Goldstein Gail Gregson Daniel Hof Peter O. Johnson Michael D. Lewis Ronald McAnally Bill McLean Lorraine A. Mercer Richard J. Meyer Robert K. Mitchell Nina G. Morrow Daniel O’Neill Connie Pageler Richard Patenaude Ada Gates Patton Glenn G. Porter Michael Reif Tom and Missy Robbins Gino Roncelli Salvador F. Saggese Frank P. Santilli Samantha Siegel Barry Silverman United Funding Financial Group, Inc. Cyndalee Wahstrom ...

Happy holidays from the California Thoroughbred Foundation, one of the largest contributors to scholarships for veterinary students at the University of California, Davis and Western University in Pomona. Our scholarships go to students focused on Thoroughbred breeding and racing. In addition, we award the Louis R. Rowan Fellowship Award to a PhD research fellow at Davis. The most recent Rowan Fellowship went to Christina Rohlf, a PhD candidate in the biomedical engineering graduate group at the University of California, Davis. Megan Elcombe and Silke Hoffmann received this year’s scholarships at Davis, while Cassandra (Cassie) Bernas was the recipient at Western University. All three have a strong interest in equine veterinary care and have served internships that have furthered that passion. Bernas’ family owns several off-the-track Thoroughbreds, an example of the importance of the Thoroughbred industry to these recipients. “They have made such a large impact on my life,” Bernas said, “and I hope to continue to make a positive impact on their industry and lives as well.” ...

We are heading towards a crisis in the equine veterinary world, with only about one percent of veterinary students choosing to go into equine prac-tice—down from four percent in the mid-2000s (according to research by the American Veterinary Medical Association). When you add the number of retiring veterinarians leaving the field and current veterinarians leaving in search of better pay and more regular working hours, the availability of primary and emergency care for horses in the United States and beyond will be seriously affected. Pursuing a veterinary degree is an expensive endeavor, and students typically graduate with massive student debt. The California Thoroughbred Foundation is committed to supporting and encouraging equine veterinary students at the University of California at Davis and Western University of Health Sciences Pomona through annual scholarships. Our scholarships are some of the very few that support third-year students and graduate research fellows at a time when they need it most.  Donors like you are the backbone of our success. As 2023 comes to a close, we... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation has awarded the 2022 Louis R. Rowan Fellowship Award to Christina Rohlf, a PhD candidate in the biomedical engineering graduate group at the University of California, Davis. Since childhood, Christina has been interested in using science and technology to advance veterinary medicine. Therefore, she chose to study biomedical engineering to apply concepts to the development of emerging technologies for use in animal medicine. In 2015, Christina received a bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering from Texas A&M University with a focus in musculoskeletal biomechanics. At Texas A&M, she also conducted research investigating the success rate of different toggle pin fixation methods for canine subjects. After graduation, Christina chose to attend graduate school at U.C. Davis because it offered a collaborative biomedical engineering graduate program and a veterinary school, allowing her to simultaneously advance both of her career interests. As a graduate student Christina has applied biomedical engineering design principles to further the health of equine athletes by fabricating a custom mechanical testing apparatus to monitor... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation, in its continuing mission to advance education in equine health, awarded scholarships to Megan Elcombe and Silke Hoffmann. The two candidates study at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Megan, also selected to receive The Jockey Club Scholarship, is president of the UC Davis veterinary school class of 2024. She received her bachelor’s degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and pursued her master’s in animal science at Southern Illinois University. While at Southern Illinois, she assisted with research on folliculogenesis in mares and new reproductive technologies and also conducted a project on common respiratory and musculoskeletal systems in performance horses. Megan served an internship with a Western Kentucky clinic that specializes in lameness, which solidified her interest in equine sports medicine. Upon graduation, she plans to join a private practice that serves Golden Gate Fields and has served externships with regulatory and private practice veterinarians at Golden Gate. Silke, also the recipient of The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship, attended Cal Poly... ...

Cassandra (Cassie) Bernas is the recipient of the California Thoroughbred Foundation’s 2023 Western University of Health Sciences scholarship. The Foundation awards scholarships to students at Western University as well as to students at the University of California, Davis. Our trustees continue to be inspired and filled with admiration for these extraordinary young people who are training for a life of service to horses. A third-year veterinary student at Western, Cassie grew up working with off-track Thoroughbreds and showing jumpers. She received her bachelor of science at the University of California, San Diego in biochemistry and completed a master’s degree in marine genetics there. She has collaborated in research under a small animal orthopedic surgeon and presented this work at the National Scholars Symposium, Pac Vet, and Western U’s Research Day. “This opportunity exposed me to orthopedic surgery and the orthopedic field in general,” Cassie said. “I hope to use this experience to develop a foundation of knowledge that I can apply toward my future as a clinician that continues to... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation sincerely thanks the following for their generous donations supporting our programs. Robert McCabe Sr. Bill McLean Nina G. Morrow James Murphy Odyssey Transportation Inc. of Nevada Neil O’Dwyer 2005 Trust Richard R. Patenaude Ada Gates Patton Jay Privman Dave Reid Michael Reif Tom & Missy Robbins Salvador F. Saggese Santa Anita Park Samantha Siegel John Sondereker Southern California Equine Foundation Mike Talla United Funding Financial Group Inc. Cyndalee Wahlstrom Winning Streak LLC MEMORIAL DONATIONS The CTF accepts donations in memory of relatives and friends, with all such donations allocated to Scholarship Funds of the Foundation. Please remember members of our industry with a donation to the CTF memorial fund. Donations may be sent to CTF, 201 Colorado Place, Arcadia, CA 91007. The CTF joins in honoring the memory of those whose names appear in bold type. We also thank and acknowledge the donors for their generous contributions. JERRY LAMBERT Elinor L. Plumer ...

Mary Forney has spent her entire working career in the California Thoroughbred industry, and the California Thoroughbred Foundation is lucky to have someone with her wealth of experience join the board. In one sense, she is coming home because her first job was as secretary to Brian Sweeney, general manager of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.  Once her mother took Mary and her sisters to the races at Santa Anita, Mary’s dream was to work in the industry. She remained at the CTBA for 14 years, and she and her husband, Jim, started their family of three children. During her time at the CTBA, Mary also wrote articles for this magazine. In 1990, fellow Foundation trustee Jane Goldstein convinced Forney to come work for Santa Anita as the program production coordinator. Forney spent 13 years at Santa Anita, later as the executive assistant to the president and simulcast coordinator. In dealing with out-of-state simulcast contracts, she traveled to tracks throughout the country. She joined the Thoroughbred Owners of California as... ...

California Thoroughbred Foundation trustee John Sadler did a phenomenal job managing the career of Flightline, who was named the 2022 Horse of the Year in late January. Flightline captured the imagination of people inside and outside of the industry with his brilliant undefeated career. In addition to his Horse of the Year title, Flightline received an Eclipse Award as the champion older dirt male, and he earned a total of $4,514,800 during his career. Sadler trained Flightline for Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, breeder Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing. A son of Tapit—Feathered, by Indian Charlie, Flightline showed promise from his early days of training. He won his six starts by a combined 71 lengths. And while his 81⁄4-length margin of victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) is a record for that race, Flightline put on perhaps his most impressive perfor-mance in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, where he demolished the field by 191⁄4 lengths. Sadler was winning his fourth Pacific Classic in the last... ...

Larisa Wick Holderied has fond memories of a childhood filled with fun visits to Santa Anita, courtesy of her great-grandfather, Ray Bell Sr., who was a champion rodeo rider before becoming a successful race horse owner and bloodstock dealer. Unlike several of Bell’s other descendants who pursued racing professions, she went in a different direction, earning a B.A. degree from Pennsylvania State University and a law degree from Albany Law School in New York. She was admitted to the bar in New York State in 2005. Coming full circle to the Thoroughbred world, Mrs. Holderied has joined the California Thoroughbred Foundation board of trustees and brings valuable experience working with non-profit organizations. Currently she is director of government relations for the Wright Group NY, where she is responsible for the creation and execution of the fiscal, educational, and government engagement lobbying strategies for approximately 60 nonprofit organizations. Mrs. Holderied is a board member and development committee chair of LiveOn NY, a nonprofit membership association representing a network of more than... ...

On behalf of the California Thoroughbred Foundation, I want to thank you for your interest and commitment to the health and welfare of the Thoroughbred. With your support, the California Thoroughbred Foundation awards much-needed scholarships to equine veterinary students at U. C. Davis and Western University of Health Sciences.  As leaders in veterinary medicine, these universities attract outstanding students for the education, experiential learning, and mentorship that positions them to be leaders. They are learning the newest technology and diagnostic techniques available today. They study hard to excel in difficult coursework and spend countless hours as externs at major clinics throughout the country.  One of the largest hurdles to overcome is the cost of their education. Our scholar-ships are some of the very few that support third-year students and graduate research fellows at a time when they need it most. Every recipient is heartened and encouraged by our foundation.  We want you to know how important it is to them. Several of our recipients have joined the safety teams at... ...

Jane Goldstein, a longtime California Thoroughbred Foundation trustee, the retired director of publicity at Santa Anita, and the first woman to head a track publicity department in this country, received a standing ovation when honored during the luncheon of the inaugural Horse Racing Women’s Summit at Santa Anita Sept. 29. Fellow Foundation trustee Amy Zimmerman, one of the many Goldstein has mentored throughout her career, presented the award. The summit, designed to provide women in racing with ways to “engage, innovate, and invest,” offered a day of panels comprising fe-male executives throughout the racing industry.  Summit organizers recognized Goldstein as “a groundbreaking leader and inspirational example to women in racing.” Zimmerman noted the barriers Goldstein had to face during her career simply because she was a woman, from the Daily Racing Form not hiring women at the time to press boxes being closed to women. Once in charge of publicity at Santa Anita, Goldstein “expected excellence from those who worked for her because she demanded it of herself because of... ...

  As the contents of the Carleton F. Burke Library move to a new home at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, many of the books will continue to be available for research at the office of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. In donating the books to Cal Poly, the California Thoroughbred Foundation is working with the university to make the transition as seamless as possible. Katie Richardson, the department chair of the Cal Poly library and department head of special collections and archives, is processing the books as they are moved to the university. That will allow material to be as accessible as possible during the transition. Those books not yet processed will remain at the CTBA. Among the last to move will be the American Racing Manual set and racing chartbooks, both popular with researchers. “We thought it would be best to do a gradual move of the collection to minimize interruptions to the collection while materials are being transported and cataloged at Cal Poly Pomona,” said Richardson. The... ...

Ada Gates Patton, president of the California Thoroughbred Foundation, has been named farrier director of the California Horse Center Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang. She will oversee all horseshoeing on the farm and has been involved with the California Horse Center in educational work about good farrier practices. The first female farrier licensed to shoe Thoroughbred racehorses in the U.S. and Canada, Gates Patton has served as farrier liaison for the 1984 Olympic Games and the FEI World Games in Lexington, Ky., and as the official horseshoe inspector for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Flag Is Up is home to Monty Roberts, whose join-up methods of starting horses Ada Gates Patton, green shirt, works with the California are world famous. He and his Horse Center to educate about good farrier practices wife, Pat, have been involved in the California breeding and racing industry for decades. Gates Patton started shoeing for Roberts in 1978 at the CTBA Sales’ Hollywood Park 2-year-old sale and has trained with him on his... ...

Early every year, part of the California Thoroughbred Foundation’s mission to support veterinary students focused on the Thoroughbred manifests itself in the choice of a third-year student at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomo-na. We decided to look in on the 2017 Foundation choice, Allison Salinger, and see what she has been doing. Originally from Pennsylvania, Allison graduated from Virginia Tech University with a bachelor of science degree in biology focused on research. Before she graduated from Western University in 2018, Allison was one of 33 veterinary students nationwide to receive financial support from the Winner’s Circle Scholarship Program, sponsored by the American Association of Equine Practi-tioners’ Foundation, Platinum Performance, and the Race For Education. Allison started at Mississippi State in July 2019 and is now a third-year large animal surgery resident at the university. Her work includes a study that investigated how a novel, headless screw could repair carpal bone fractures in racehorses. The study demonstrated that this screw compares favorably to others used and that its design... ...

Katarina (Kat) Hilton is this year’s recipient of the California Thoroughbred Foundation’s 2022 Western University of Health Sciences scholarship. The Foundation awards scholarships to students at Western University as well as to students at the University of California, Davis. The curriculum vitae, personal essays, and in-person verbal interviews with these students leave our trustees inspired, hopeful, and filled with admiration for these extraordinary young people. They are brilliant, beyond hard-working, and willingly face a challenging life of service to horses.  From an early age, Kat cared for her family’s Thoroughbred horses, became a leader in Pony Club, and later became an event rider who assisted other riders and horses in the recovery veterinarian box. These early experiences made her path very clear: to provide proper medical care as an equine veterinarian. She has shadowed solo and multiple equine practices focused on lameness evaluations, pre-purchase examinations, diagnostic imaging, and movement for a variety of breeds, specifically off-the-track Thoroughbreds. As a veterinary student, Kat added to her intensive studies with leadership roles... ...

In its continuing mission to advance education in equine health, the California Thoroughbred Foundation awarded scholarships to Amber McElhinney and Izabella Pendergast. The two well-qualified candidates study at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Amber plans to pursue a career in equine surgery and lameness. She has a BS in equine science from the University of New Hampshire and studied equine cardiology at the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies for her undergraduate senior honors thesis. Amber is a disaster service worker in Yolo County and treasurer for the Global Veterinary Alliance. She has completed externships with several equine clinics and gathered data for a study on PET scans of injured racehorses with Dr. Sue Stover. Amber wants to work with sport horses and treat lameness. She is especially interested in the prevention of orthopedic diseases, including concussive breakdown in racehorses. Izabella has loved horses from an early age, when her mother helped her find a stable where she could work with the horses... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation is donating the contents of the Carleton F. Burke Library— one of the most extensive collections of equine literature found anywhere—to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. “This is such a rare and specialized collection that it is a great match with an academic library,” said Foundation President Ada Gates Patton. “Officials from Cal Poly Pomona approached us about acquiring the library, with proposed expert management of books and increased public access.  “The Foundation does not have resources like those at Cal Poly. In addition, with more and more material available on the Internet, in-person use of the library decreased in recent years, followed by a two-year closure because of the pandemic. So after studying the proposal carefully, our board voted for the donation. This will benefit anyone interested in publications about horses, whether for serious study or just pleasure reading.” The university intends to digitize research books for worldwide access, exposing the Burke Library to a far wider audience than the Foundation could offer. “We have... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation sincerely thanks the following for their generous donations supporting our programs. ...

Ferrin Peterson, the 2018 recipient of a California Thoroughbred Foundation scholarship when she was a third-year veterinary student at the University of California, Davis, has continued her unique dual careers as a veterinarian and jockey. She has moved to Kentucky and hired former star rider Julio Espinoza as her jockey agent. Dark days in the racing calendar provide time for her to engage in veterinary work. As reported on this page two years ago, Peterson was the second-leading rider at Monmouth Park in 2020, when Hall of Fame former jockey Julie Krone served as her agent and mentor. Their subsequent foray into New York racing was impeded because pandemic restrictions prevented them from going into the stable area and making crucial trainer contacts. Next, Peterson went to Maryland, where bad weather and an equine herpes outbreak curtailed racing, severely limiting her opportunities. While in Maryland, Peterson worked with trainer Graham Motion at his Fair Hill training center, and she finished second on one of his horses in her first ride... ...

Wallace S. Rohrer, a member of the International Union of Journeyman Horse-shoers, created 14 handmade shoes specifically crafted for the Thoroughbred racehorse. The California Thoroughbred Foundation is honored to have this extraordinary example of his work in the form of a unique horseshoe board on display at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. It demonstrates Rohrer’s abilities as well as pays tribute to the IUJH, which dates back to 1874. Rohrer, the son of a blacksmith, shod horses for some of the finest California trainers from the 1950s-70s. He later became the paddock horse-shoer at receiving barns of California racetracks, requiring him to check every horse for every race to confirm the runner was properly shod for that surface. He served on judging panels for the IUJH journeyman exam, a requirement for licensing as a farrier at California Thoroughbred racetracks. The rigorous test took five hours in the forge and one hour under a horse. The candidate had to make four different shoes (announced at the start of the test), beginning... ...

Continuing Education for Trainers The California Thoroughbred Foundation, which is devoted to fostering education in an effort to improve the health of Thoroughbred racehorses, applauds the California Horse Racing Board’s continuing education series for trainers. It is part of a new California regulation that requires trainers and assistant trainers to complete a minimum of 12 hours of approved continuing education coursework every 36 months as a condition for licensing. The CHRB has created webinars on such topics as racehorse neurological conditions, understanding shoulder fractures, and compounded medications as part of this continuing education. Top veterinarians Dr. Sue Stover, Dr. Dionne Benson, and Dr. Barrie Grant are among the experts that have contributed to these webinars. The CHRB and the California Thoroughbred Trainers have been instrumental in furthering this continuing education. Equine Medical Director Dr. Jeff Blea, who is also a Foundation trustee, has been impressed with the level of enthusiasm and interest from trainers. “I have received numerous positive comments from trainers on several of these educational webinars, as it... ...

First and foremost, we thank you for being a loyal supporter and participant in our dedication to the health and welfare of the Thoroughbred. With your support, the California Thoroughbred Foundation awards much-needed scholarships to third-year equine veterinarian students at the University of California, Davis and at Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona. These students are learning the newest technology and diagnostic techniques available today. Our Rowan Research Fellowship rewards a UC Davis graduate student in equine research.  Several recipients have joined the safety teams at Santa Anita and Del Mar. Our research fellow just accomplished her PhD in genetic research of the Thoroughbred. The California Thoroughbred Foundation has and continues to have the well-being of Thoroughbreds on and off the track as its focus, as it has for decades. Evolving from origins in the 1940s, the Foundation has promoted this through education of veterinarians and crucial research. Veterinarians today are being drawn in greater numbers to practice in areas other than Thoroughbreds. This fact alone underscores the importance of... ...

The vast improvement in horse safety at California tracks can be credited in part to research by Ph. D. candidate Sarah Shaffer, who was granted the Louis R. Rowan Fellowship in Equine Studies at U. C. Davis in 2019 by the California Thoroughbred Foundation. Shaffer’s work has earned her the additional honor of the 2021 James M. Wilson Award for the year’s most outstanding research report, published in the Equine Veterinary Journal. Her potentially accident-preventing discoveries focus on proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses. The Center for Equine Health at the Davis School of Veterinary Medicine reported that previously there was no way to identify horses at risk for PSB fracture. Shaffer’s studies included discovery, characterization, and description of changes before such fractures, which put horses at risk for possible catastrophic accidents. “Sarah’s research findings were key to developing injury-prevention strategies that contributed to the 41% reduction in California racehorse fatalities over the previous year,” said Dr. Susan Stover, who directed Shaffer’s research at the J. D. Wheat Veterinary... ...

Anna Dahlgren, who received the California Thoroughbred Foundation’s Louis R. Rowan Fellowship in 2017, is about to complete her Ph.D. at the University of California, Davis. The training Dahlgren has received will support her long-standing interest in improving the health of Thoroughbred racehorses and contributing to the industry that Louis Rowan cared about so passionately. Working with UC Davis professors Drs. Fern Tablin and Carrie Finno, Dahlgren investigated the underlying genetic cause for atypical equine thrombasthenia (AET), a heritable platelet dysfunction that causes prolonged bleeding following injury. The potential role for this disorder in de-laying wound healing could have a significant impact on the Thoroughbred industry. Dahlgren graduated with her B.S. degree in biochemistry/molecular biology from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., prior to pursuing her Ph.D. at UC Davis. Throughout her Ph.D. training, she has not only researched the genetic basis of AET, but also investigated the effects of micro-dosing of erythropoietin in racing Thoroughbreds to identify a biomarker for drug testing.  “Anna has done a tremendous amount of... ...