In the eyes of Hall of Fame owner and breeder John Hettinger, there was no greater importance in the breeding and campaigning of racehorses than ensuring them with a proper and lifelong retirement once their racing careers came to a close.
Hettinger campaigned for this ideal until his passing in 2008, striving for a future where every racehorse is accounted for and doted over in their twilight years. The John Hettinger Stakes was established in 2009 at Belmont Park in honor of the former New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) board member.
Now, 16 years after Hettinger's passing, Akindale Thoroughbred Aftercare continues this mission each day through their racehorse retirement sanctuary that is situated on Hettinger's beloved farm in his hometown of Pawling, New York.
"We were founded back in 2006 by John Hettinger, a remarkable man who needs no introduction," said Monique Coston, board of trustees member and previous farm manager for Akindale. "We were very fortunate that he left us a beautiful facility and set us up for success. Unfortunately, he passed in 2008, so we've been keeping it going."
Hettinger's 800-acre farm was initially one of New York's leading thoroughbred breeding farms and stood prized stallions including dual Grade 1-winner Personal Flag, Grade 1-producer D'Accord, and Sir Wimborne, winner of Ireland's National Stakes in 1975. As Hettinger continued his breeding and racing operation, his herd of retirees grew as well, and a tract of land was set aside for his homebreds and rescued horses to retire.
After Hettinger's death, Erin Pfister, who worked alongside him for many years helping to rescue horses from local auctions, continued the aftercare mission on a smaller parcel of land - 310 acres after the other 500 was sold - as a private non-profit before becoming a public 501(c)(3) in 2019. The farm had operated a retraining and adoption program since its inception but shelved its retraining program and shifted to a sanctuary model earlier this year, focusing on permanent residency and adopting out horses as companion animals only.
"John Hettinger felt very strongly that his horses should end up in a good place, so he wanted to be able to have a farm and land where his horses could always come back and live," Coston explained. "It was very important to him, and the organization took over the land and horses he had living on the farm."
Today, Hettinger's life work lives on strongly through a herd of 103 retired racehorses who currently call Akindale home. Their histories are all unique - some were Akindale homebreds or broodmares, some were rescues, and some were placed by their owners. What unites them is the equal care and appreciation given to them by the dedicated team at Akindale.
"We have two gelding and two mare herds, separated by harder keepers and easier keepers. They get full farrier, dental, vaccines, vet care - herd life, but upscale," Coston said, with a laugh. "Any horse that was bred by Akindale is always welcome to come back, as well as any horses who have gone through our program. We're very fortunate we are able to offer that."
Among the organization's retirees is NYRA regular and stakes-winner Tiergan, who captured the 2021 Ashley T. Cole at Belmont Park for conditioner Rudy Rodriguez. The Afleet Alex grey made 32 lifetime starts and concluded his career with trainer Billy Morey before retiring in August 2022 to Akindale, where he has quickly become a farm favorite.
Tiergan recovered from a suspensory injury for the first year he was on the farm, and eventually worked his way up to a secondary riding career last fall when Akindale was still retraining horses. A match with a potential adopter was made, but Tiergan showed lameness in his hind end during a trial with the adopter, leading to his return to Akindale as a sanctuary resident.
"Back he came, and now he is best, best buddies with a horse named Gus, who was bred here at Akindale," Coston said. "Tiergan is a hysterical horse. He loves the hose in the summertime and he's always front and center when we have events in the barn. He's a big boy and always bends down for the little ones. He's such a sociable horse, and he has a big personality."
Other NYRA circuit veterans that reside at Akindale include graded stakes-winner Pays to Dream [third in the 2008 Grade 1 Manhattan], stakes-winner Lookin At Her, multiple stakes-placed Dynamax Prime and 12-time winner Delta Sea.
Coston said it is special when fans remember residents from their days on the racetrack.
"To be able to have horses here that people have followed through their careers and then to the aftercare side is really important," Coston said. "It brings more awareness to what we do and it lets fans be a part of their aftercare and to come meet them."
While Tiergan is not destined for a secondary riding career, he and most of the residents of Akindale are part of a unique program that allows horse lovers to take home a horse as a companion, with the option to return the horse to Akindale at any time.
The companion horse program has proven popular with families of pre-teens who would like a horse of their own to dote over, but do not have the means to support a horse long-term when the child heads to college. Others may be searching for a companion for an elderly horse who needs a friend, but the owner cannot make an extended commitment to another horse.
"Sanctuary work is very important," Coston said. "To be able to have that open door for them to come back brings great joy to us. It's really nice to have these horses that can't be ridden still have the joys of a family. A lot of times we'll do companionship for people who want a horse for the time being, and then they can bring the horse back five or six years down the road. We'd love them to stay forever, but it usually winds up being like a lease."
Akindale is one of 86 organizations accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), as well as one of 62 aftercare facilities to receive grants from the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA). The racing community in New York State contributes more than $1.2 million annually to various aftercare programs and initiatives.
"It's really important for people to know how much the racing industry supports aftercare," Coston said. "The TAA and TCA we can't thank enough. We are appreciative to the sport of racing and how they help aftercare."
Through the support of these organizations and public donations, Akindale is able to continue providing top-level care for their retirees, as well as further the invaluable mission that Hettinger dedicated so much of his life to.
"I think it's a very special place because of our history," Coston said. "John Hettinger was at the forefront of aftercare. He worked with congress to get slaughter banned in the U.S., he was an advocate for responsible ownership. I think our history set us up for success, and you get the feeling of him being at the farm. To be able to see these horses through and continue the legacy of John is what sets us apart."
