Whats in It for Me, a 2017 gray gelding, had nine starts and earned $11,007 before retiring from racing in 2021. He arrived at Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga in September of that year, but something wasn’t quite right. After sustaining a sesamoid fracture on the track, he had spent nearly a year on stall rest at the organization.

“Erin Sisk, co-founder of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, asked me to come and look at Grey [Whats in It for Me] because he didn't fit their program. He didn't seem happy,” said Anna Hollander.

When Hollander first met him, she could see his loneliness clearly: “Grey seemed depressed and sad.”

Despite everything he had overcome physically, he was still struggling emotionally.

“I felt drawn to help him to a happier life,” Hollander remembered.

Over time, Grey, now called William Grey, began to blossom.

“William Grey has transformed into a gorgeous horse, [he has been] ridden on trails and training regularly.”

He became a sound and lovable horse who thrived on attention from all.

“He is happy, sound, and super affectionate. A gentle giant,” Hollander said. With consistent training and time on the trails, Will had become a different horse. Looking ahead, Hollander shared that she plans “to ride and train him more, send him out on a couple of beautiful trail and hunter paces this fall.”

“The transformation took about a year, he nickers now. My other horses helped as well, they started playing with Will and showed him what fun life can be,” Hollander recalled.

The Jockey Club supports many aftercare initiatives including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the only accrediting body in aftercare, and Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of careers. View all of the initiatives supported by The Jockey Club.