VIN TIME

This gentle bay ex-racehorse has touched the hearts of many in the Virgin Islands, particularly in St. John where he hosted his own fundraiser by traveling with the VICCTRE gang from beach bar-to-beach bar in Cruz Bay.

His story signifies what drives VICCTRE's efforts to ensure a safe journey for all horses from the racetrack (or the streets) to retirement.

A favorite of his owner he was slated for VICCTRE which intended him as a partner in the prisoner rehabilitation program at TRF's Marion County Correctional Facility farm where he could retire forever.   Impatient for the process to begin, the owner sent him instead to a landowner on St. John reportedly desiring livestock to claim agricultural status for his property.

Left in the pasture without care, food or water, the horse knew enough to get out and get out fast.  He escaped with lacerations to his neck along with severe injuries to his legs which indicated he likely had been hobbled.  Leaving behind his pasturemate "Tonto", Vin Time was found running down Centerline Road after an encounter with an automobile and was taken in by St. John samaritans.  He was relinquished to VICCTRE by the owner, to begin the road back to health.  This was not the fate of his pasturemate who expired the day Vin Time was spared.

With an abundance of spirit and true grit, Vin Time eventually made a full recovery with TRF. This special horse was placed in an equine-assisted therapy program for youth in Ocala, FL, where he will be loved by many.

ACCOUNT CD

Believe it or not, this horse was left tied by his legs to a patch of grass near a gas station.  Not the greatest reward for a job well done at the track.  VICCTRE's early mission was to prevent this kind of meager retirement effort for the beautiful creatures that bring great pleasure to owners, jockeys, spectators and more when they are racing their hearts out.  When found roaming the street in smith Bay later, the Agriculture Department signed him over as a stray and he was adopted to bring joy as a fun riding companion.

AGASSI

This horse was the second to leave the track for a retirement through the VICCTRE program.  He left the island for Ocala, FL in good condition with every possible opportunity to be readily adopted.  Unfortunately, there are not enough horseriding venues in the Virgin Islands to allow many of these beautiful animals to remain here in retirement or with a new career.

FLOWER'S SON

Currently residing at the TRF farm in Ocala, FL.  A beautiful healthy gelding coming straight off the St. thomas racetrack to VICCTRE.  This horse was adopted by a prison inmate and will enjoy a stress-free retirement.

PANIMETRO

Suffering four major fractures in his pastern joint after braking from the gate, "Metro" was a big question mark.  He amazed us all with his spirit, his will, and his heart.  Touching every single person who crossed his path, or was a part of his recovery, Metro betterd us all and is now living the good life in Jacksonville, Florida

DUKES SHAWKLETT

Duke's trainer has placed 4 horses with VICCTRE and they all have come to us in great shape.  DUke was no exception and he made fast friends with all the VICCTRE boys.  he made the trip to North Florida in June and was fostered through Habitat For Horses and has now been placed ina  loving "forever" home!

OUR SMITH BOB

This horse brought riding pleasure to many St. Thomian equestrians however ended in the wrong hands.  The athletic gelding was discovered neglected, untrusting, starving and with severe abscesses living without exercise in a stall.  He has been brought back to health and awaits adoption at the TRF farm in Ocala, FL.

SILVER EXPRESS

At the time VICCTRE found him he was tied near a bus company fending for himself with the help of a nearby worker, however, with no attention on the weekends.  The owner realized he was in over his head with horseownership and relinquished him to retirement.  Silver was founf with no mane or tail due to the ingestion of poisonous floiage.  He packed on about 300 pounds,  and is now showing all of SOuth FLorida that he is a tallented dressage horse and low level jumper.

TIMOTHY MAC

One of the most quickly adopted VICCTRE horses of all time, this beautiful gelding with a wonderful personality and incredible pedigree came to the stables and low and behold...a few weeks later he went home with our farrier.  A match made in heaven! THANK YOU NELSON AND SABINA!

RUNNING THUNDER

This horse had a tremendous career at the local racetrack, including a Governors cup win, but an irreparable injury ended it all.  At the time he came to VICCTRE, the owners had been unsuccessful finding a stateside buyer and the usual retirement location for many of their horses had shut its door.  A local adoptor was found for Thunder on the island of St. Thomas.

HEZACATSEYE

A wonderful soul who was the winner of the Governor's cup was rewarded with severe neglect and was found 3 years later skin and bones.  A fighter through and through "Casper" made an amazing recovery and now lives happily in North Florida.

EL AZTECA

His origins vague, this horse is believed to have been bred in Chile. His St. Thomas owner no longer wanted to feed him regularly nor care for his condition as he had a new horse taking up his time.  Thus, the horse was willingly signed to VICCTRE. "Azzie" joined his VI mates at the TRF farm after putting on much needed weight and trained as a riding horse in the VICCTRE program.  He now enjoys giving rides to young people as an equine-assisted therapy mount in Florida.

ISIS

Making the local papers as one of many neglected horses on private property highlighted during the Virgin Islands battle for animal cruelty laws, this horse was "sold" by its owner to a repeat offender known for pitiful horse care.  The new owner indeed banished him to the streets in short time with a couple of already roaming horses. VICCTRE pressed hard to have the "strays" picked up whereupon Isis was thankfully adopted by an Agricultural Department employee.

COMMANDANTE BEAUTY

This sweet mare shares bloodlines with eight of the past twelve Kentucky Derby winners.  Her remarkable stamina has seen her through many months of nutritional neglect and fortunately for VICCTRE and a lucky new owner, she is on the rebound.

With personality plus, she welcomes us each morning at the VICCTRE barn and in return we promise her our best care.  Her routine of grazing forays and muscle building exercises have helped tremendously to bring her back to health.  With so much going for her "Beauty" was adopted and until her new owners move to the States remains a happy VICCTRE pasture horse.