Back in 2013, I was scrolling through Facebook, casually looking at posts, when a photo caught my eye. It was a horse—a high-grade stakes winner named Silver Ray.
The caption read something like, “Silver Ray, Kentucky-bred Thoroughbred with over $250,000 in earnings, dumped at a kill shelter and purchased for $30.”
I just couldn’t believe it. There was something in his eyes in that photo—like they held the weight of everything he’d been through. It broke my heart. How could a horse that had given so much, accomplished so much, end up in a place like that? No horse should.
That moment changed everything for me. Silver Ray became the first off-the-track Thoroughbred I ever sponsored, and he completely changed how I saw the importance of giving back to these incredible creatures.
Silver Ray’s Story
Silver Ray was a Kentucky-bred stallion with an impressive racing career, but like so many OTTBs, when his career ended, so did his value in the racing world.
At 20 years old, he was abandoned at a kill auction, his fate decided for just $30.
Thankfully, the team at Polo Pony Rescue stepped in and saved him for that heartbreakingly small price. They gave him a second chance and ensured he’d never face the horrors that could have been his reality. More here on the dark side of unwanted horses.
Sponsoring Silver Ray will always hold a special place in my heart. His transformation was incredible. He went from this thin, neglected horse to a beautiful, majestic stallion. Seeing it all unfold in the photos and videos they posted felt so rewarding—it was amazing to watch him thrive, finally getting the care and love he deserved.
Why It Matters
Silver Ray’s story is just one of so many. These horses are athletes, partners, and companions, but too many are cast aside when their careers end. Giving back is about honoring their contributions and making sure they get the second chances they deserve.
Sponsoring Silver Ray showed me how even the smallest actions can have a massive impact. Every horse we help is a saved life, a renewed spirit. His journey pushed me to keep supporting retired racehorses and advocating for their care.
Silver Ray's Legacy
Silver Ray passed away in 2019 at the age of 30. He lived out his final years surrounded by love and care, a peaceful ending to a life that deserved so much more than where it could have ended up.
Through E1 Equestrian’s Giving Back program, we’re committed to supporting horses like Silver Ray—horses who need a second chance and a safe, loving future. Every horse deserves that chance.
Silver Ray will always hold a special place in my heart, just like he did in 2013, as the horse who inspired me to take action. His story was the beginning of what is now a core mission of our brand: giving back to these incredible creatures and honoring the bond we share with them.
