This veteran trotter is seeking a soulmate! The aptly named Pay The Winner has seen the winner's circle 66 times in his incredible 349 race career and brought home more than $700,000 in earnings.  “Winner” is a classy gentleman and spent the majority of his life with the same owner before coming to New Vocations to transition into his second career.  This incrediable horse has been well loved and told he was a champion his entire life.  He has lived up to his name as a "winner"!! 

Winner is very engaging and always looking for someone to bring him a treat. Carrots are his favorite, but he has become quite the fan of peppermints and Froot Loops, as well! He has a ton of class and personality!! 

Under saddle Winner will walk, trot, and canter, and he's also offered a smooth four-beat gait. He has greatly enjoyed relaxing trail rides around the farm, both alone and with others. Winner will make a wonderful all around horse for someone. He has an incredible work ethic and has earned a wonderful retirement! If you are looking for a veteran warhorse that has the resume and looks of a "winner" and the wisdom you can only get from the track, he is your horse! 

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - Winner is a pure professional in every aspect. He is quiet and well-mannered while leading and working with on the ground.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Winner enjoys his grooming sessions (especially when you find "the spot" on his neck!), stands quietly in the crossties and is easy to saddle and bridle. 
• Horse Care - Level 2 - Winner is currently barefoot as he is enjoying his leisurely schedule, but he might do best with front shoes if ridden on harder surfaces. He still has a higher-than-average metabolism from his racing days and does best on a high-fat feed.
• Riding - Level 2 - The consummate professional, Winner wouldn't dream of being naughty. But he is still a little apprehensive about his new career and will do best with a patient rider who is willing to take their time and let him relax into his new job. 
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - 2 - While Winner may take some time to become fully comfortable in his new environment, he tries very hard to please and is respectful at all times. He fits nicely into his group of geldings in turnout and is usually content to just hang out while the more rowdy boys run and play. 
• Physical Capability - Level 3 - While Winner hasn't shown us a reason for any physical limitations, we think he would appreciate a quieter, low-stress lifestyle. 

 click for horse level information 

ABOUT OUR ADOPTION FEES

We intentionally set New Vocations’ adoption fees lower than the average cost of buying a Thoroughbreds or Standardbreds from a private seller (in today's market, horses coming right off the track are often listed at a price between $2,000 and $5,000!). Our facilities are always at full capacity, which means we can't take in an additional horse until one is adopted; a lower adoption fee means horses are more likely to find appropriate homes quickly and we can welcome more horses into our barns. And just think: By adopting one horse through New Vocations, you're actually helping two horses (you new family member and the one who takes his place in our program) transition to careers outside of racing. 

In general, our fees are set at $2,500, $1,000, $500 or waived:

• $2,500: This range is for horses that we consider to be the cream of the crop or “unicorn” horses. They are horses that have few or no limitations and great conformation, movement and size.
• $1,000: This range is for horses that are suitable for a competitive career up to a certain level (for example, cleared for 2’6” but not necessarily 3’). They may have been fully rehabbed from an injury but have been cleared by our veterinarians for most disciplines.
• $500: This range is for horses that are limited to a flat, trail or companion-type home. These horses are healthy and have been fully rehabbed and evaluated by a vet.
• Waived: This is for horses that have significant limitations for a riding career or are otherwise difficult to place. These horses are otherwise healthy and have been evaluated by a veterinarian.

Another perk of adopting from us? We do our best to give you the best bang for your buck. Most adoptable horses have been in the program for a minimum of 60 days,  during which they're rehabilitated (if needed), socialized with other horses, fully evaluated, and in work with a professional trainer. We're also happy to share the history and any medical records (often including X-ray and ultrasounds) we have on each horse with interested and approved adopters.

While our adoption fees are low, please remember that costs associated with ongoing care and additional training for a horse (adopted or otherwise!) can be high. We hope that by helping an adopter save money upfront, you'll have more funds available to cover the continuing costs of properly caring for and training a horse.