AJ Morelli
Horse Stats
| Name: | AJ Morelli |
| Barn Name: | AJ |
| Birth Year: | 2016 |
| Gender: | Gelding |
| Height: | 16 |
| Color: | Dark Bay |
| Adoption Fee: | $1,500- SALE $750 |
| Location: | RICHWOOD, OH |
RACE STATS
| Total Starts: | 238 |
| Highlights: | Winner |
| Total Earnings: | 270284 |
| Last Race: |
PEDIGREE
| Sire: | Pet Rock |
| Dam: | Podges Lady |
| Other Notable Pedigree: | The Panderosa, Rocknroll Hanover |
Description
Tall Dark and Handsome!
AJ Morelli is definitely a looker! He grabs the attention of everyone who walks in the barn, first with his stunning good looks, and then with his in-your-pocket personality. This recently retired War Horse is starting to figure out his new life as a riding horse, and has loads of potential for his next career! Whatever it is, we know he will look good doing it!
- Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - AJ is led in a regular halter and cotton lead rope, and is quiet and respectful on the ground.
- Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - AJ stands quietly in the crossties for grooming and tacking, though he does prefer you take it slow tightening up his girth.
- Horse Care - Level 1- AJ is doing well barefoot and keeps nicely on our regular rations.
- Riding - Level 1/2 - AJ was a little apprehensive about his first few rides, but once he figured out what he was being asked he adapted well and aims to please. He might like to stop and check out new and 'scary' things he encounters in the arena, and would prefer a buddy to begin trail riding with. He doesn't have a big reaction, just likes to take his time. Under saddle he is learning his balance and sometimes swaps gaits in the corners. He has offered to pace and trot, and will canter on the lunge line. We do think his adopter can develop whichever gait they choose, but boy he looks fancy trotting!
- General Demeanor - Level 1 - AJ is easy to have in the barn and gets along well with his pasturemates.
- Physical Capability - Level 2 - AJ just wasn't making the times needed at the track and retired sound. He does have a small calcification on his left front fetlock, but it is largely cosmetic and does not limit him. He is best suited for a mid-level career. We think he would make a lovely show horse!
click for horse level information
Interested in this horse? Already approved adopters may reach out to this horse's trainer at the "Email About This Horse" button above for further information. Still need to become approved? Learn about the process and start your questionnaire at newvocations.org/adopt. Approved applications are valid for 2 years.
ABOUT OUR ADOPTION FEES
New Vocations intentionally sets our horses’ adoption fees lower than the average cost of buying a Thoroughbred or Standardbred from a private seller (in today’s market, horses coming right off the track are often listed at $5,000 to $10,000!).
Our fees range from $0 (waived) to $3,500.
- Fees typically correspond with a horse’s Anticipated Physical Capability. So, horses that are found to be best suited for non-riding careers (our Pasture Potatoes) have waived fees, while the fees for horses assessed to be suitable for high-impact careers will be up to $3,500.
While our adoption fees are low, it’s important to remember that costs associated with ongoing care and additional training for a horse can be high. We hope that by helping adopters save money upfront, you’ll have more funds available to cover the costs of properly caring for and training a retired racehorse.
When you adopt a horse through New Vocations, you’re helping two horses; your new family member and the one who takes their place in our program. Our facilities are nearly always at max capacity, which means we can’t take in a new horse until one is adopted. Keeping our adoption fees low helps us find appropriate homes for horses quickly, enabling us to help even more horses transition off the track as stalls open up in our barns!
Another perk of adopting from us: we do all we can to give you the most value for your adoption fee. Most adoptable horses have been in the program for a minimum of 60 days, during which they've rehabilitated (if needed), socialized with other horses, been evaluated by trainers and veterinarians, and have been in regular training with a professional. On average, the monetary value of these services exceeds $5,000. Any medical records (often including X-rays and ultrasounds) and pertinent history we have on each horse are also available to interested and approved adopters.
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program
New Vocations is proud to be the oldest and largest racehorse adoption program in the country, serving more than 600 retired racehorses a year.
Since our inception in 1992, we've carried out our mission to rehabilitate, retrain, and rehome retired racehorses and placed more than 9,000 in adoptive homes. With nine facilities in Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania, we continue to work with racing owners and trainers in need of aftercare options and with our adopters to find perfect homes for these most-deserving equine athletes.
