River Barrow’s story is both heartrending, encapsulating the harsh realities too often faced by Thoroughbreds. As a great-granddaughter of the Triple Crown winner, Secretariat, she was once considered invaluable. Born under the ownership of Ormonde Farm in Canada, she raced in both the United States and Canada, stakes placed at the age of two, she earned $114,825 in 35 starts at seven different racetracks.

In 2017, River Barrow was sold to Royal Kraft Sr., an active member of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. There, on a small farm, she was used as a broodmare and produced four foals who collectively earned over $140,000 on the racetrack.

When Kraft, Sr. died in 2020, River Barrow’s fate took a distressing turn. Uninterested family heirs disposed of River Barrow and her pasture mates through the notoriously harsh Dominique’s Livestock Market in Opelousas, LA. Auctioned off by the pound, she ended up in the Louisiana Feedlot of Jacob Thompson, a grim waypoint in the slaughter pipeline. Alone, frightened, and severely underweight, she was in desperate need of rescue.

Amid this dire situation, Unbridled discovered River Barrow in a filthy slaughter bound stockyard in Louisiana. Although she had been bailed out, she had been left stranded on the lot with no place to call home. When Unbridled learned of her ongoing plight, we made space to bring her home, along with Beauty, Censored, and Joy, who all faced the same terrifying prospect of slaughter. Despite her traumatic past and neglect, River Barrow, under Unbridled’s dedicated care, made a significant recovery.

Today, River Barrow thrives. Cherished as part of the #UnbridledFamily, she manages her residual lameness from racing days with the aid of Adequan treatments. She has formed close bonds with Joy and Beauty, making up a much-loved trio at the stable.

​You can become an integral part of River’s unbridled life by virtually adopting her and joining us in supporting her care and dignity. River requires $26 per day to cover her special needs. You can support River with a one-time annual sponsorship of $9,500, or a monthly giving plan of $800, or any increment thereof. Every dollar is a precious gift to River.