Thoroughbreds charities to receive donation

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Queens, NY (Sports Network) - Winning the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile has proven to be of benefit to several thoroughbred retirement organizations.

The owner of Uncle Mo, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, is donating a total of $50,000 to five separate charities involved in thoroughbred retirement.

"There are so many wonderful charities throughout our industry and so many dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly for the welfare of our equine friends and I commend them all," Uncle Mo's owner Mike Repole said. "It is my hope that other Breeders' Cup winners and top stakes winners follow suit and continue to donate to their favorite horse charities."

The charities benefiting from the donations are Old Friends, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Turning For Home, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, and The Exceller Fund.

"We cannot thank Uncle Mo and Repole Stable enough for supporting the more than 1,200 retired thoroughbred racehorses in our care," said Diana Pikulski, Executive Director of Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. "Mike Repole is one of those conscientious, outgoing, compassionate owners who always puts what is in the best interest of the horse first and foremost."

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Uncle Mo took the lead at the top of the stretch and went on to capture the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The victory was worth more than $1 million and made the two-year-old colt the early Kentucky Derby favorite for next year.

Ridden by John Velazquez in the November 6 race, Uncle Mo has won all three starts in his first year of racing and has earnings of $1,296,000. Prior to the Juvenile the colt won the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park and won his first career start by 14-lengths at Saratoga Race Course in August.