Helicopter Money Update

After our most recent update we wanted to follow up to discuss a number of items regarding Helicopter Money including: the decision to retire him from racing, the next steps in rehoming, and the account financials.

First, we’re happy to report that Helicopter Money is in good order at trainer Tom Morley’s Belmont Park barn. Please see the video above with Tom.

We’re also happy to report that Helicopter Money will be entered in the Take The Lead retirement program. The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association created Take the Lead, a retirement program for Thoroughbreds stabled at New York Racing Association tracks to facilitate the search for rehabilitation and retraining placements for retiring NYRA racehorses using TAA-accredited programs. Click here to learn more about Take the Lead.

There are a few steps we need to take prior to Helicopter Money’s formal acceptance into the program. First, as with all male horses going into a retirement program he’ll need to be gelded. This will occur at In Front training center in Ghent, NY as Helicopter Money transitions off the track. He’ll head out to In Front in the coming days, weather permitting. Next, Take the Lead will also need to arrange for a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed veterinarian.

This process may take a few weeks in order to finalize all the requirements and to be accepted in the program, but we will notify you as soon as we hear any word regarding his acceptance in the program.

Decision to Retire

While racing is what we and our partners love, the decision to retire Helicopter Money was simply the only path we saw after another instance of exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). When Helicopter Money debuted at two-years-old last fall he was unable to compete on Lasix (by regulation Lasix is not permitted in 2 year-old races), a medication prescribed to prevent EIPH. However, with the colt turning 3 years old in January and competing in the NY bred ranks we knew the option of running and training on Lasix would be available. While his January 27th race went off in good order, Helicopter Money subsequently bled in a February workout and in the March 11th race, the third time in a 4 month period.

Unfortunately, these instances exhibited a pattern of developing a chronic condition which is not only unhealthy for the horse but is highly unlikely to ever resolve, even with additional time off, Lasix, and any other treatment.

Account Financials and Final Distributions

We thought it was pertinent to also address a few items pertaining to the Helicopter Money series at this time.

At post time of his last race there was ~$81,000 in the Helicopter Money reserve account. This amount represents the remaining balance of the pre-paid training and care account for the horse. After final invoices are received and bills paid, the account will be reconciled and closed. At that time, we’ll issue final distributions on a per share basis along with a financial summary of revenues and expenses. This process generally takes between 60-90 days post-retirement.

In the meantime, we’ll be in touch with subsequent updates regarding Helicopter Money along with working with Take the Lead to potentially arrange some in person visits.

Paulick Report on Take the Lead