Rosie Napravnik to help TRF with Olivia’s Herd

Rosie Napravnik aboard Shanghai Bobby. Photo credit Susie Raisher

Rosie Napravnik aboard Shanghai Bobby. Photo credit Susie Raisher

(Press Release)—Rosie Napravnik, one of the most successful jockeys in Thoroughbred racing, will be signing autographs at Saratoga Racecourse on July 31 to benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s “Olivia’s Herd.”

The fifth race on the Saratoga card that day will be named the “Olivia’s Herd” in honor of Olivia Saylor, the late daughter of racehorse owner and breeder Paul Saylor. Saylor is a regular contributor to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. He created the “Olivia’s Herd” Fund in 2011 in Olivia’s memory to provide for the horses in the TRF program which are most in need of special care or feeding because of age or other physical condition.

“Caring for animals was Olivia’s passion,” said Paul Saylor. “This day at the races will bring awareness to the mission of ‘Olivia’s Herd’ and the work of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. I am thrilled that Rosie will be there to raise the profile of the cause and attract young people to the track and to the mission of ‘Olivia’s Herd’.”

Olivia's Herd— Payasito, Fat Lear and Golden Axe are among the horses making up the group of horses helped by Napravnik's effort.

Olivia’s Herd— Payasito, Fat Lear and Golden Axe are among the horses making up the group of horses helped by Napravnik’s effort.

The TRF will be giving away commemorative gifts to anyone who comes and signs up for information about “Olivia’s Herd” at the NYRA Charity Booth from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM that day.

Napravnik will appear at the NYRA Charity Booth from noon to 12:30 to sign autographs.

Napravnik is a superstar among female jockeys.

She became the first woman in history to ride in all three jewels of the Triple Crown in 2013. On May 4, 2012 Napravnik became the first female rider in the 138-year history to win the prestigious Kentucky Oaks. She took the classic for fillies aboard the aptly named filly Believe You Can. She triumphed again this year, bringing home the garland of lilies aboard the Ron Winchell owned filly Untapable.

Prized Max enjoys the good life as another member of Olivia's Herd.

Prized Max enjoys the good life as another member of Olivia’s Herd.

In 2012 Napravnik broke Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone’s 20-year standing record when she landed in the highest spot ever for a female jockey on the year-end North American leader board. She finished the year with $12,451,713 in purse earnings from 193 wins, putting her in eighth place in the year-end standings. She bested those numbers in 2013 when she finished the year with an astonishing 269 wins, which included 44 stakes wins (19 graded stakes), placing her fifth on the North American leader board in wins and eighth in purse earnings ($13,242,202). No jockey in the top 25 year-end earnings standings had a higher win percentage than her 22% clip.

Olivia’s Herd is a testament to a young lady who loved animals.

The horses in “Olivia’s Herd” are the TRF’s horses that are most in need of special care or feeding because of age or other physical condition. Care for these horses is funded by gifts made to the TRF in memory of Olivia Saylor who died January 1, 2011 in Charleston, S.C.

When she's not racing, Napravnik rides her OTTB Sugar for pleasure. Photo by

When she’s not racing, Napravnik rides her OTTB Sugar for pleasure. Photo by Lynn Towery Roberts

Olivia was very involved with her father and siblings in the Thoroughbred racing business. She is credited with naming Ashado, two time champion filly raced by the Saylor family in partnership with Starlight Stables. This partnership also campaigned Grade I winners Purge and Monba. Olivia with her siblings and father also owned and raced champion Fleet Indian. “Olivia would have wanted to care for the horses most in need,” said Paul Saylor. “Protecting racehorses and protecting the TRF as an ongoing entity to help racehorses should be a priority for everyone who is in racing.”

About TRF: Founded in 1983, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) is the largest equine rescue organization of its kind, devoted to the rescue, retirement, rehabilitation and retraining of Thoroughbred racehorses no longer able to compete on the track. The TRF is perhaps best known for its pioneering TRF Second Chances Program which pairs inmates at various state correctional facilities across the nation with ex-racehorses. The inmates participate in a certified vocational training course in horse care and stable maintenance while experiencing the therapeutic benefit of working with horses. For additional information: go to www.trfinc.org, or call (518)226-0028. ♥

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2 responses to “Rosie Napravnik to help TRF with Olivia’s Herd”

  1. Gloria Stagmer

    Thank you Rosie for joining such a worthy cause. It is heart warming to hear about this event sponsored by a family who is associated with racing. I am sure Olivia is pleased with what is being done in her memory. Her love is reaching out to these lovely animals in need. Saratoga is steeped in history and is a beautiful track. I hope many folks will join Rosie in supporting this cause.

  2. VICTORIA RACIMO

    With Rosie on the Board of Old Friends, and actively supporting qualified, legitimate organizations like TRF and doing this signing for Olivia’s Herd, she is a testament to how both sides of the racing industry can help each other. There can be fine horse man-ship and horse woman-ship, good racing standards, and outstanding people like Rosie who use their celebrity for good purpose. I wish great success on the signing!

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