As 2025 comes to a close, CARMA celebrates 17 years of dedicated work in helping California’s retired racehorses transition smoothly and respectfully into new lives. So far, CARMA has placed over 500 horses through its placement initiatives and granted more than $6.8 million to support aftercare programs.
One of the standout achievements this year was the launch of the Messineo Makeover Scholarship Program. This initiative aided six skilled jockeys and their California Thoroughbreds from the Retired Racehorse Project’s CARMA Placement Program in the Thoroughbred Makeover competition. The CARMA-supported rider achieved remarkable success, earning the Reserve Champion Freestyle title, the top Junior Rider award, and the $5,000 Top California Horse prize. Other significant performances included high placements in events like competitive trails, lunchworks, jumpers, dressage, and hunters, with some divisions featuring over a hundred participants. More details on the riders’ performances can be found in the makeover roundup.
The success of CARMA graduates on the national stage highlights the talent, spirit, and promise these horses maintain long after their racing days conclude. This scholarship honors Nancy Messineo’s generosity, which continues to open new opportunities for both horses and riders.
Additional 2025 highlights for CARMA include:
- Successfully placing 30 retired racehorses into safe, productive second careers through their placement program.
- Hosting “CARMAthon: New Beginnings,” a Hollywood-themed fundraiser that spotlighted Thoroughbred aftercare with a feature-length viral trailer. The campaign surpassed its $150,000 goal, raising over $200,000.
- Partnering with 1/ST and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to co-sponsor the first Thoroughbred High Point Awards during the Santa Anita CSI3 and CSI5-W Split Rock Jumping Tours, rewarding top-performing Thoroughbreds with weekly prizes including $2,000, a Santa Anita Raceday Package, and a High Point Ribbon.
- Being selected as a semi-finalist for the 19th Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for the children’s book Horse behavior after a race: A story of good karma, written by CARMA board member Jay Pribman, which celebrates the journeys of thoroughbreds. Proceeds benefit CARMA’s mission.
- Launching a modern donor management system to facilitate recurring donations and strengthen engagement with regular supporters.
- Planning to expand the placement program’s capacity to 25 horses in 2026, enabling more retired racehorses to transition smoothly into new roles.
- Continuing collaboration with the Michael Nuys Foundation at the 2025 MNF Charity Show & Christmas Market, featuring the Thoroughbred Classic to support young equestrian athletes and promote appreciation for Thoroughbreds in their second careers.
- Sharing aftercare stories regularly through industry features and advocating for broader industry involvement, highlighting several important articles from the year.
CARMA extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to their mission in 2025. Your support helps ensure every retiring racehorse can thrive in a rewarding second career, proving that the finish line is just the beginning of their next chapter.
For more information about CARMA and its grant programs, visit carma4horses.org.
Final reminder: This is your last chance in 2025 to make a tax-deductible donation to CARMA. Contributions can be mailed to CARMA, 285 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 (Tax ID #80-0146395) or made online.
This article originally appeared in the Paulick Report’s Horse Care section on December 25, 2025.
Fan Take: This update underscores the vital work CARMA does in giving retired racehorses a meaningful second life, which is crucial for the sport’s reputation and future. For horse racing fans, supporting aftercare programs ensures that the legacy of these incredible athletes continues beyond the track, fostering a stronger, more compassionate racing community.
