When Bruce Lunsford named his homebred son of Hennessy, "Ultimate Journey," he never envisioned that the colt would end up battered and bruised in a New Jersey kill pen, where only the kindness of a good samaritan would stand between him and a trip to a Canadian slaughterhouse. But that's what happened.
The Kentucky-bred son of the stakes-placed winning mare, Broadway Express, carried a lofty pedigree and the high hopes of his connections at the debut of his racing career, in a two-year-old maiden special weight contest at the Fair Grounds on November 24th, 2007. Ultimate Journey finished next to last, and according to the chart of the race, was "never involved." It soon became obvious that Ultimate Journey wasn't good enough to compete at top levels, and by March of 2008, trainer Bill Mott had dropped him into a $16,000 claimer, where he broke his maiden by a head.
The hard-trying gelding changed hands several times after that, managing to eke out five wins over dirt and turf and earn more than $69,000, finally ending his career in a $7500 claiming race at Aqueduct on December 30th, 2009, where he dead-heated for eighth and was reportedly vanned off the track. After two years and 20 starts, Ultimate Journey's ankles and ailments had caught up with him, and his prospects did not look good.
The facts of Ultimate Journey's life during the ensuing four months are hazy, but the gouge on his face, the maggots embedded in his skin, his rain rot-patched hide, and his swollen ankles made it clear that he hadn't been receiving adequate care or medical attention. He was a horse in trouble, and in pain, when he arrived at the Camelot auction in mid-May of this year, but his fortunes changed when he was spotted by Sharon Catalano-Crumb of New Jersey Horse Angels Rescue, who recognized that Ultimate Journey deserved better than that. With tears in her eyes, she paid the $300 price on his head and helped him take his first steps toward freedom.
When he arrived at the Rescue's "Healthy Horses" facility in Howell, New Jersey, it was determined that no only did Ultimate Journey have skin wounds, but he was also infected with strangles, a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes a viscous nasal discharge, and pus-filled sores that break out on the lymph nodes of a horse's neck and throatlatch. While the condition isn't usually fatal, it can make a horse miserable. Ultimate Journey's problems weren't over yet, but at least he was safe.
And safe he will always be. As soon as he is well, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has agreed to accept Ultimate Journey into their program, ensuring that the gallant gelding will retire in peace to the bluegrass of Kentucky, with enough to eat, space to frolic, and people who love him. The horse born for greatness, who almost took the ultimate journey of no return, is finally going home.
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Comments
Great article Maureen - And, what an appropriate name. I'm a volunteer at Old Friends, a retirment farm for thoroughbreds here in Kentucky. There have been a few horses at the farm that were rescued under similar circumstances - Williamstown and Clever Allemont - are two of the more "famous." Interestingly, while the farm was started as a retirement farm for thoroughbred stallions, the very first horse on the farm was a mare named Narrow Escape. Talk about a name, huh?!
Anyway, keep up the good work.
Rick Capone
Lexington Horse Racing Examiner
New Jersey Horse Angels and Camelot Rescue ROCK!!!! God Be With You Ladies !
I know those you are lying about. I am a family member and I know the truth. You should be very careful with your lies. Sharon collects death benefits from her husband's murder at work and Frank her fiancee has several health issues that are very serious.
Sharon and Frank will not answer to you liars. The lawyer had told them to press charges against you two and all the others who have been making up lies.
They possess the truth to prove you are lying and they will do more than have you all served with papers, they will have you arrested for Internet Libel, a Federal Crime.
You are hateful souls who are destroying a rescue and there are consequences for that.
I will tell you this much if they don't charge you, I will, I have witnessed all the emails people have sent them with all your lies that were spread on Facebook.
Sharon has saved well over 400 horses, why don't you ask Alex Brown who she worked with.
Stop the lies, be glad Sharon saves these horses.
Such a pity that a small number of people care about what is sacred and beautiful to this planet. Animals are more important to our wellbeingness than what we think
AW POOR THING AND I HOPE ONE DAY WE WILL LOVE AND RESPECT OUR ANIMALS IN WAY THAT THEY LOVE AND RESPECT US.
Thank God there are people out there that see more than a dollar sign. They see a living feeling creature.
I'm so glad that they saved this baby. Oh also if anyone is interested there is a Wild Mustang and Wild Burro Adoption being held here this week end the 11th and 12th at JS Rodeo Arena- 200 US Hwy 89- Vaugh,Montana there is to be 35 head: they are not Pryor Mountain Wild Horses Directions are: Eleven miles West of Great Falls off I-15 and 1/2 mile West of Vaughn on US Hwy 89 (on road to Missoula) Proceed to outside arena. 1-800-4Mustangs blm.gov
What a beautiful ending to a sad story. Thank goodness for the kindess of good hearted and compasionate people.
To those who would like to use this space as a forum for mean-spirited personal attacks, please be on notice that I will not tolerate them. This is a place for discussion, not vilification.
There was no vilification, no personal attacks, just known fact that ms Crumb does not attend Camelot Auction anymore,so ms Crumb did not purchase the horse on the spot with tears in her eyes, and that the "Healthy Horses " facility is run by mr Garcia who sell horses for slaughter at Camelot Auction.
What is bad about posting that?
Someone should question why this horse was allowed into the auction if he was in the condition as stated. New Jersey does have laws written which say what condition the horse must be in order to be sold. Also if he had an infectious disease at time of sale as stated then numerous other horses where exposed. Its time the reckless behavior of the auction personnel and proprietors not only at this auction but others are held accountable. I dont understand why it is not a federal law to have "animal police" on site at all livestock auctions.
I have read the previous comments and this comment is not intended to vilify anyone just fact from personal experience.
I was recommended to the Horse Angel Facebook page by my daughter who was attending college in NJ. I felt terrible reading what the future of these horses was and was in a position to make a sizeable donation but was concerned about their charity status as I would need a tax receipt. I asked a simple question and was rudely lashed out by Ms. Crumb herself and told that I was a fake and she reported me to FaceBook! This southern girl being new to this social network stuff had no idea the tangled web I had entered. I then noticed her fundraising for a beautiful horse but the price was $900 and I questioned how this because this was clearly not a slaughter price as they were claiming this horse was destined for. Instead one of her administrators rudely replied basically saying I ask to many questions and blocked me from the page! No fiction here just fact
What can stop many racers, and stolen or otherwise horses obtained from caring owners, from going to slaughter is to require medical records (or voluntarily generated by last private owner) with a notation that the horse is not to go to slaughter, to go with the horse, and an symbol added to the lip tatoo, meaning this horse (of any breed or circumstance) is not to go to slaughter. This under penalty of Federal law. Anyone who sells such a horse to kill buyers, plus any kill buyers or slaughterhouse who takes possession of such a horse, would be guilty of felony animal endangerment aand abuse. Before leaving the auction property, kill buyers would have to go online to USDA website and record horse bought, with destination, and not delivery ANY equine to border or any US slaughterhouse until at least 24 hours later, The reporting list would be available to the public (I.E. rescuers and those who had a horse stolen) and the wait would give time for lip tatoo to be checked by anyone.
To Samantha D:
It's unfortunate you had that experience with the rescue. I'm sure it was a misunderstanding on their part. People who rescue/purchase horses from the kill pens get verbally attacked and questioned on a regular basis, which causes them to put on a suit of armor. They have to put up with a lot of people who don't support what they do and it's likely they just misinterpreted your intentions.
You would be surprised at how many people question what they do on a regular basis and how little support they actually get.
If anyone would like to help 2 horses there are 2 available for free. The owner must find them homes as she can not manage them at this time though she thought she could.
Email me at Nokotahorse4me@aol.com
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