Rick Schosberg honored; documentary film previewed
By Richard Zwirn
It’s the dawn of a new era in New York, and a new “Champion” has been crowned. A special “Salute to Aftercare” ceremony was held at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York on September 10th. It was a “feel good” event, with the evening’s honorees trumpeting the ongoing success and rewards of the state’s many equine advocacy and aftercare programs.
In her opening remarks, New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund Executive Director Tracy Egan set the stage with gracious recognition of the leadership behind the outstanding aftercare work being done each and every day in New York State. The news of an upcoming premiere of a potentially ground-breaking hour-long documentary film regarding this meaningful undertaking was another of the evening’s highlights.
To kick off the series of honored guests, New York State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner was generous with her praise for the equine athletes themselves, the economic engine that racetracks and breeding farms provide, and especially the persistent, caring and generous efforts of all the aftercare professionals and volunteers involved in this important and growing segment of agriculture in the state.
The evening’s deserving “Champion of Aftercare,” however, was Mr. Richard (Rick) Schosberg.
Rick once reminisced about when he attended high school and was a seasonal groom for an old-time trainer named Walter A. Kelley. “I told him I wanted to train horses and he said, ‘You dumb sumbitch, you’re getting an Ivy League education—go be a doctor. Don’t be a lawyer and don’t do this. It’s a hard way to make a bad living.’”
Thank goodness Rick never wavered from his original goal. He went on to have a thirty-five-year career beginning in 1988, winning 876 races and over $38 million in purses while training nine graded stakes winners—including four Grade I winners (Affirmed Success, As Indicated, Maria’s Mon, and Mossflower).
While most fans talk about his accomplishments on the track, what has always also stood out was his love for the horses. He was committed to their well-being, and showed that one could be not only successful but also true to the horse. He retired in 2022 but has never left the community, remaining dedicated to positively influencing legislators, boards/committees, horsepeople and volunteers to “lend a hand” in the most worthwhile pursuit of creating safe havens for retired racehorses until their ultimate adoption to a good home.
He has been past president of the New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association, currently heads up Take2 and Take The Lead, and holds a position on the board of the National Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. In his remarks on Tuesday evening, he deflected most of the spotlight from himself, pointing to the contributions of NYTHA, NYTB, NYTBDF, NYS Gaming & Wagering, NYRA, owners, trainers, volunteers, racing fans and horse lovers. A rousing ovation was also given to the members of the accredited Aftercare Alliance organizations in attendance, including Equine Rescue Resources, Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, New Vocations, North Country Horses, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, ReRun, Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Take2, Take The Lead, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the Unbridled Sanctuary.
Rick proudly pointed out that New York is the “gold standard” in Thoroughbred aftercare (“We’re way the hell ahead of everybody else”) thanks in large part to the funding that has been made available via the Breeding Fund and New York State Gaming and Wagering. Rick was also quick to point out that such financial support would be meaningless without the passionate volunteerism and assistance he receives from the aftercare leaders and his own Executive Director, Andy Belfiore. His most appreciative and sentimental words, however, were reserved for his mentor, the late Rick Violette Jr. He made clear that this “retirement revolution” would never have had the impact it has without his integrity, determination, vision and advocacy. “Rick Violette never used the word ‘can’t.’ He never used the word ‘won’t’, except to say that he won’t stop until the right thing was done.” Rick concluded by saying that this ongoing effort was, indeed, a “conspiracy of goodness.”
Attendees at the evening’s ceremony were also shown the trailer for the upcoming hour-long documentary entitled “Off Track—Fate of a Racehorse.” It is currently being screened at a variety of film festivals around the country, and the initial response to this touching film has been very positive. The trailer was received with a standing ovation and heartfelt tears.
The documentary’s director, John Wager, was in attendance at the event and took questions from the audience following the screening. He spent over two years working on this project and hopes that this “fair and balanced” film can be educational and inspirational to those inside and outside the industry.
His hot tip? You are going to want to see this film.
