Flowers Galore:
Healing, Teaching, and Thriving at Wallkill
Every once in a while, a horse comes along who reminds us exactly why the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) exists. Meet Flowers Galore, a sweet, dark bay mare with a heart full of kindness and a spirit that inspires healing in those around her.
A Young Teacher With a Gentle Soul
Foaled in 2018 and bred in New York, Flowers Galore didn’t find her stride on the racetrack. With just five starts and no wins, her racing career was short-lived. But her true calling was waiting beyond the finish line.
In June 2023, she arrived at the TRF’s Second Chances Program at Wallkill Correctional Facility, where she found a new purpose: becoming a partner in the healing and growth of the incarcerated individuals who work with her each day.
With an “in your pocket” personality and a reputation for being the sweetest mare in the barn, Flowers Galore quickly made an impression. She bonded closely with her pasture-mate My Little Lulu and settled into life at Wallkill like she was meant to be there all along.
From Injury to Impact
She was donated by her owner in 2023 to retire after sustaining a hairline fracture in her knee. While her racing days were over, and she may never pursue a highly competitive athletic career, there’s a possibility she could still enjoy a light, low-level second chapter. For now, she’s comfortably pasture sound and has absolutely thrived in her role as a teacher within our program—even at her young age. Her story is a reminder that not all injuries end in tragedy, and not all racehorses follow the same path. At the TRF, we meet each horse where they are and provide the dignified lifetime care they deserve.
Why Her Story Matters
Flowers Galore is a prime example of how Thoroughbreds—even those with short or winless careers—can continue to serve a meaningful role long after leaving the track. Her daily presence offers our students the chance to learn, to grow, and to experience connection and trust, sometimes for the first time in their lives.
As one of our younger retirees, Flowers will likely spend the next 15+ years in the care of the TRF, continuing to teach and touch lives through the Second Chances Program. This is the reality of Thoroughbred aftercare, and it’s a commitment we make with love and pride.
How You Can Help
💚 Sponsor Flowers Galore – Help provide lifetime care for this special mare with a monthly or one-time gift.
💚 Support Our Herd – Your generosity ensures we can continue to say “yes” to horses like Flowers, giving them a soft landing and a second chance.
Learn more and explore sponsorship: Sponsor a Horse
Because every horse deserves a safe place to land—and every student deserves a patient, four-legged teacher like Flowers Galore.