Vegetarian Star

PETA has a new mobile billboard that will serve to remind visitors to the Kentucky Derby this weekend that horse racing is not always fun and games.

Up to and during the day of the race, this ad will be driven outside the racetrack to highlight the use and abuse of drugs used on race horses, which PETA says has contributed to the death of several horses on the race tracks.

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Rain and muddy track conditions may have dampened the spirits of Kentucky Derby goers (which some activists are more than happy with), but the Ferdinand’s Ball, a charity event to raise money for retired horses wasn’t anything but sunny.

The event hosted by Maria Menounos featured vegetarian food with local ingredients–including a raw food bar with marinated mushrooms stuffed with cashew cheese–and local wine and biodegradable dishware.

According to Louisville.com, five months ago sisters Aimee Wulfeck and Kim Boyle were astonished to find out no Derby ball actually raised money for the horses.

Ferdinand’s Ball was conceived to help “Old Friends,” a group that rescues and retires Thoroughbreds that no longer race.

This year’s ball raised $30,000 dollars, which is enough to help 13 horses for one year.

Old Friends has 70 horses in Georgetown, Kentucky and has recently opened a new farm in Saratoga, New York.

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Maria Menounos will host the first annual Ferdinand’s Ball, which kicks off the Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 29.

Proceeds from the ball will directly benefit Old Friends, a non-profit organization that rescues retired racehorses from neglect, abuse and slaughter.

The event will feature a four-course vegetarian meal, athletes and local politicians, a silent auction, live entertainment and a presentation of an award to the Humane Society of the United States for their contribution to equine welfare.

For more information, visit the organization’s website.

Ferdinand was a 1986 Kentucky Derby winner who made millions and ended up in a slaughter house after being sent to Japan.

It’s fantastic that these horses can retire in comfort, but it’s questionable whether horse racing should be allowed to begin with.

According to In Defense of Animals, about 800 race horses die each year from fatal injuries on U.S race tracks and approximately 3,500 sustain injuries so bad they cannot finish the race.

IDA also states that many state governments are hesitant to prosecute abusers in the industry because they share revenue.

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