The choice is obvious with this one– Sophia is the one if you want a nice, easy-going, round, huntery prospect. Sophia is a kind of go-with-the-flow type of mare that is happy to just do her job without issue and likes any attention bestowed upon her.  She is so kind and is happy to do whatever is asked of her, never fussing or making a big deal out of anything.  She is a nice solidly built mare that will take up the rider’s leg and is quiet enough for an intermediate level rider.  Sophie is more whoa than go, but will work when asked, and has a lovely rhythm. She was trained at the Belmont level of racing, so she knows how to work, she just prefers a much slower speed! Sophia is a laid back gal, ready for a low hunter, dressage or trail home! She could even easily hold a western saddle with her build!

Sophia’s Choice came to us through NYTHA’s Take The Lead Program and we greatly appreciate their support!

Sophia’s Choice is by GSW Regal Ransom, earner of 1.89 million in 16 starts, 4-4-0.  Regal Ransom is by MGSW Distorted Humor, earner of $770,000 in 23 starts and sire of Funny Cide, Drosselmeyer, Any Given Saturday, Sharp Humor and many others.  Distorted Humor is by the champion Forty Niner, earner of 2.7 million in 19 starts, 11-5-0 and is out of a Danzig mare.  Regal Ransom’s dam is by Red Random and out of a Deputy Minister mare.  Sophia’s dam is by El Prado, who sired Kitten’s Joy, Medaglia d’oro, Paddy O’Prado and more.  El Prado is by 14 time leading sire in GB and IRE  Sadler’s Wells and earner of $663,000 in 11 starts, 6-4-0.  

ADOPTION FEE POLICY

New Vocations’ adoption fees are intentionally set lower than the cost of buying most Thoroughbreds or Standardbreds through a private seller. In today’s market, it’s not unusual for horses coming right off the track to be listed for sale at a price between $2,000 and $5,000. At New Vocations, we set a fee that will ultimately help each horse find a home quickly. The program’s facilities are always at full capacity, which means we cannot take in an additional horse until one is adopted. Adopters should be encouraged to know that by adopting a horse through New Vocations, they are actually helping two horses transition to careers outside of racing.

In general, our fees are set at $500, $1,000 or $1,000 with a $1,500 donation. 

• $1,000 with a $1,500 donation: This range is for horses that we consider to be the cream of the crop or the unicorn horses.  They are horses that have few or no limitations, have 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 3’).  They may have been fully rehabbed from a race injury but have been cleared 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.

Additionally, adopters get great value for their money: The majority of the horses have been in the program for a minimum of 60 days. During that time, horses are rehabilitated (if needed), socialized with other horses, fully evaluated, and in work with a professional trainer. New Vocations fully discloses each horse’s history and provides all available medical records, many of which include X-ray and ultrasounds.

While adoption fees are low, it should be noted that costs associated with ongoing care and additional training for each horse after adoption can be high. New Vocations hopes that by helping an adopter save money upfront, he or she will have more funds available to cover the continuing costs of properly caring for a horse.