Gary Stevens Donates $5,000 to Remember Me Rescue

Gary Stevens Donates $5,000 to Remember Me Rescue

 November 08, 2013 2:59 AM
To the delight of racing enthusiasts, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens announced his comeback in January of 2013. One of the most-well known jockeys in the sport of horse racing, the Idaho native had not competed in a race since 2005 and although he was now nearly 50 years old, he would return to the saddle. It did not take long for him to prove that he had made a brilliant decision, as Stevens has won some of the nation’s most important races – including the Preakness StakesBreeders’ Cup Distaff, and Breeders’ Cup Classic – during his first year back in the saddle.

Stevens’ comeback has been dubbed one of the greatest in the history of sports. But Stevens’ greatness extends beyond his talent and success on the back of racehorses. Stevens is a kind-hearted man whose generosity is as remarkable as his skill.

This kindness has been reflected in Stevens’ breathtaking donation of $5,000 to Remember Me Rescue, a non-profit, Texas-based rescue and retraining center for off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Since being founded by Dallas and Donna Keen in 2008, the program has placed more than 350 retired racehorses in new homes. All along the way, Remember Me Rescue has been supported by Stevens.

“Gary Stevens’ comeback has been amazing,” Donna Keen said. “I am very proud to know Gary and to call him and his wife Angie my friends. He has been a supporter of RMR since we began and he truly believes he owes the horses.”

Stevens’ generous donation will aid Remember Me Rescue in its fundraising for a cold saltwater spa, which will help the rescue in assisting injured horses. The contribution from the Hall of Fame jockey will be added to funds raised by Remember Me’s upcoming 2014 fundraisers: the second annual Remember Me Rescue Celebrity Fundraiser and OTTB Training Challenge and All-Thoroughbred Horse Show.

“Many career ending injuries in racehorses take many months to heal,” Keen stated. “We believe that, if we can shorten the rehabilitation time of soft tissue injuries with the installation of a cold saltwater spa, we can begin the retraining process sooner and place horses with new families faster, therefore opening up stalls at RMR for more horses.”

What Gary Stevens has done for Remember Me Rescue is an act that Keen hopes other industry leaders will follow, helping the horses that make the sport.

“Most famous horses end up in good places, but Gary recognizes that it is the horses that no one remembers that win the overwhelming majority of races that need help the most,” Keen said. “I hope his generosity will inspire other blessed people in our industry to support their local Thoroughbred placement groups.”