Thursday, April 30th, 2026 | Omni Hotel Louisville
Poker for Ponies
Charity Fundraiser Benefiting Equine Aftercare
A Kentucky Derby Week Charity Poker Tournament Supporting Equine Aftercare
Poker for Ponies is a Texas Hold’em charity poker tournament held during Kentucky Derby Week. The event is presented by Racing to Rescue, a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by Resolute Racing, and is designed to raise funds for accredited equine aftercare organizations through tournament play.
Created to unite philanthropy with meaningful impact, Poker for Ponies converts a night of competitive poker into direct financial support for organizations dedicated to the long-term welfare of horses beyond their careers.
Poker for Ponies takes place on Thursday evening during Kentucky Derby Week and is operated as a professionally run Texas Hold’em tournament.
Upon arrival, each player is randomly assigned an accredited equine aftercare charity to represent for the duration of the tournament. The charity represented by the tournament winner receives the top prize donation.
In addition, every participating charity receives an automatic $5,000 donation, ensuring that all organizations involved benefit meaningfully from the event.
Re-buy-ins are available during play, allowing participants to remain in the tournament while increasing total funds raised for equine aftercare.
Can’t make it? If you are unable to attend Poker for Ponies, you can still support the event by making a direct donation. Every contribution made through this option is distributed entirely among this year’s designated charity beneficiaries, helping fund veterinary care, rehabilitation, retraining, safe placement, and lifelong sanctuary support for horses in equine aftercare programs. Your generosity ensures the mission of Poker for Ponies continues to make a meaningful difference beyond the event itself. Click Here To Donate!
Schedule
Thursday, April 30th, 2026Registration Opens at 5:30 pm
Cocktail Hour starts at 6:00 pm
Tournament starts at 7:00 pm
The Omni Hotel
400 E. 2nd Street
Louisville, Ky
Olmstead Ballroom
(2nd Floor)
Thursday, April 30th, 2026
Special Thanks To Our 2026 Sponsors
Meet The 2026 Charity Beneficiaries
The Bridge Sanctuary, Inc. provides safe refuge and individualized care for horses facing neglect, displacement, or risk of slaughter, helping prepare them for suitable long-term placement whenever possible. The organization also supports regional rescue efforts through foster partnerships and training support, while promoting prevention-focused education to improve outcomes for at-risk horses.
Bright Futures Farm is a nonprofit equine rescue and sanctuary that rehabilitates and rehomes horses affected by neglect, hardship, and career transition, with a strong focus on Thoroughbred aftercare. The organization also provides lifelong sanctuary for senior and special-needs horses requiring permanent care. Accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Bright Futures Farm upholds high standards of equine welfare and transparency.
Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare (CTA) provides structured retirement pathways for racehorses across Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, working directly with racetracks to support safe transitions off the track. Since 2016, the organization has helped retire hundreds of Thoroughbreds through evaluation, rehabilitation, and placement into new careers or appropriate long-term homes. CTA also operates dedicated turnout facilities and transition protocols designed to improve welfare outcomes for racing Thoroughbreds in the region.
Mareworthy Charities is a Kentucky-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting Thoroughbred mares—especially older, hard-campaigning race mares often overlooked in traditional aftercare pathways. Founded following the inspiration of Worthy of Wings, the organization focuses on education, placement support, sanctuary assistance, and responsible end-of-life and estate planning for mare owners. Through industry engagement and community outreach, Mareworthy works to improve long-term outcomes and recognition for Thoroughbred mares beyond their racing careers.
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is the nation’s largest racehorse adoption organization, dedicated since 1992 to rehabilitating, retraining, and placing retired Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses into qualified homes and second careers. With facilities across multiple states and partnerships with more than 70 racetracks, the program has successfully transitioned over 9,000 horses beyond racing. Accredited by both the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Standardbred Transition Alliance, New Vocations maintains nationally recognized standards in racehorse aftercare.
Old Friends is a Kentucky-based nonprofit retirement sanctuary dedicated to providing dignified lifelong homes for retired Thoroughbred racehorses, from champions to lesser-known runners. Often described as “horse racing’s living history museum,” the organization preserves the legacy of these athletes while sharing their stories through public education and visitor programs that promote awareness of Thoroughbred aftercare.
Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to retraining and rehoming off-the-track Thoroughbreds as they transition from racing into new careers and safe long-term homes. The organization focuses its resources on preparing horses between their final race and successful placement while promoting public education about the versatility and value of Thoroughbreds beyond the track. Through training programs and responsible adoption practices—including initiatives that help address overbreeding—Second Chance Thoroughbreds supports sustainable outcomes for retired racehorses.
Second Stride is a Kentucky-based nonprofit adoption and transition program dedicated to helping retired Thoroughbred racehorses move successfully into new careers and permanent homes. Since 2005, the organization has placed more than 2,000 Thoroughbreds with qualified adopters while also supporting broodmares, young horses, and other non-racing bloodstock in need of structured transition support. Accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and partnered with the ASPCA Right Horse initiative, Second Stride serves as a trusted aftercare partner within the racing industry.
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is a nonprofit grantmaking organization that raises and distributes funding to vetted charities supporting Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them across the racing industry. For more than three decades, TCA has provided over $28 million in grants to organizations working in retirement, retraining, rehoming, equine-assisted therapy, research, and backstretch and farm worker assistance programs. Through its rigorous funding process, TCA enables supporters to contribute to one organization while strengthening many across the Thoroughbred aftercare community.
Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (THS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving retired racehorses meaningful second careers through equine-assisted mental health and wellness programming. Working alongside licensed clinicians and equine specialists, THS connects horses with individuals—including veterans, families, and those facing emotional or social challenges—to support healing through the horse-human connection. Through this therapeutic partnership model, THS strengthens both community wellbeing and long-term outcomes for retired racehorses.
You can still support Poker for Ponies by making a direct donation if you are unable to attend the event. Contributions are distributed among this year’s designated equine aftercare beneficiaries to help fund veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, feed, transportation, safe housing, and placement support for horses transitioning beyond their working careers.
Every gift—regardless of size—strengthens responsible aftercare programs and helps ensure horses receive the time, resources, and stability needed for secure futures. Your support makes a meaningful and measurable difference.
Can’t Attend? Make A Donation
Who We Support & How
Poker for Ponies benefits accredited equine aftercare and rescue nonprofits that provide care and support for horses facing retirement, transition, or uncertain futures—across all disciplines and backgrounds. These organizations carry out essential work including rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, rehoming, and long-term care.
By supporting multiple organizations each year, Poker for Ponies distributes funding across a broad aftercare network rather than a single beneficiary, strengthening the overall system that protects horses in need.
Poker for Ponies is administered by Racing to Rescue, the nonprofit charitable arm founded by Resolute Racing. Racing to Rescue oversees the event to ensure transparency, integrity, and responsible distribution of funds in alignment with its charitable mission.
All proceeds from Poker for Ponies directly support accredited equine aftercare organizations, reinforcing a commitment to long-term accountability and responsible stewardship for horses beyond their working lives.
In 2025, Poker for Ponies raised over $500,000 for equine aftercare initiatives, establishing the event as a significant source of funding during Kentucky Derby Week.
Every hand played contributes directly to sustaining programs that protect and care for horses long after their careers—or circumstances—have changed.
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