Remembering Jayburger, the Heart of ATR (2007–2026)
On a recent Sunday in September, we said goodbye to Jayburger, one of our oldest and most beloved team members. He passed away due to complications of laminitis at 19 years old, after more than 15 years with After the Races, almost from the very beginning. He was not just a horse; he was truly part of the fabric of ATR.
The 10th horse to enter our program, Jay stepped off the trailer in February 2011 and never left. After a few false starts with potential adopters, he became the first and only horse our director couldn't bear to let go, and nearly 1,000 horses benefited from his steady presence on the farm.
A role model from the start
Even as a 4-year-old, Jay quickly became a role model for the others coming off the track. With his quiet confidence and terrific work ethic, he took on the role of "pony horse" for ATR. Whether leading horses around the arena for the first time, over ground poles, or across water and bridges on their first trail ride, Jay was the best lead any greenie could ask for. He absolutely loved trail riding and logged thousands of miles in his lifetime.
The leader of the herd
Jay also had an unparalleled presence in turnout. He was the dominant horse on the farm, but a benevolent leader and excellent communicator. He took care of his herd, and that included teaching new horses how to become polite members of horse society. He was even our "colt tamer." Colts and stallions gelded at ATR would be turned out with Jay. Even with the rowdiest colts, Jay clearly set expectations that helped them transition to their new social life, and he did it so gently that the only casualties were a few overinflated egos.
The horse everyone could ride
If that weren't enough, Jay was the horse everyone could ride. He was ridden often by volunteers of all skill levels, and by many potential employees during their interviews. He went to many events over the years as an ambassador for both his breed and our program. He gave pony rides to toddlers, donors, and sponsors, and was one of the most trustworthy, steady horses we've ever known.
He was deeply loved by many, but no one loved him more than our director, Bonnie. He was her ever-present partner and enthusiastic companion on all her adventures, and together they did everything from eventing to endurance. For Bonnie, after riding more than a thousand horses, swinging a leg over Jay's saddle always felt like coming home.
The living heart of ATR
Everyone working closely with ATR knew how special Jay was. They knew how hard he worked for the organization, and how hard that job could sometimes be. He was so much more than a horse, so much more than a co-worker, so much more than part of the team. He was the living heart of the organization for more than 15 years.
When his time came, our veterinarian shed tears for him and asked honestly, "What are we going to do without him?"
The honest answer is that we don't know. But for now, we're choosing to honor his memory, and we hope you'll join us.
If you have a special memory of Jayburger, please feel free to share it in the comments or email us. We would love to hear from you. Honor Jay's memory
To celebrate Jayburger's remarkable life and service, we invite you to make a gift in his name. Every gift, large or small, warms our team's hearts and helps carry on the work Jay devoted his life to.
Would you consider a gift honoring each of his 15 years with us, such as $150 or $1,500? Or a recurring monthly or yearly gift in his memory?
Unless otherwise specified, all memorial gifts will go directly toward the care of retired racehorses in rehabilitation. If you'd like to make a larger gift toward a lasting project on the farm, please contact us and we'd be glad to share the possibilities.
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