Friends of Ferdinand Announces Prize List for 2021 Virtual Derby
It's Derby season!! If you've ever dreamed of competing your horse against others for awesome prizes, the Friends of Ferdinand Virtual Derby is for you! Now in it's second year, this fundraiser gives you the chance to compete head-to-head (virtually) with other horses to raise money for Thoroughbred aftercare. Each horse has a goal of raising $250 to get to the finish line - with a special bonus for the horse who raises the most total money during the race.
On Tuesday, April 20 at 3PM ET, FFI will open entries for the Virtual Derby! In order to keep the field competitive, we will be limiting total number of entries to 15. Here are all the details:
HOW TO ENTER
Watch our social media pages this week for details. An “entry fee” donation of $25 will be required for each starter. Horses of all breeds are welcome; it’s not limited to OTTBs! You can also enter a runner in memory of a deceased horse.
HOW THE RACE WILL WORK
Once all entries are collected, the “Virtual Derby” will last for two weeks – from Thursday, April 29 to Thursday, May 13. To cross the finish line, your horse needs to gain $250 in total donations in his or her name. (Your $25 entry fee counts toward this total as well!) You can help your horse win the race by sharing posts about the race to encourage your friends and barn-mates to donate. Each donation will get him closer to the finish line! There will also be a special prize for the horse who raises the most donations during the race.
WHO BENEFITS?
All the proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to the horses in our retraining program. You can learn more about these horses on the official fundraiser page once it’s launched.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
Here are the awesome prizes for the 2021 edition!
The 2021 Prize List
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The Ultimate Horseracing Fan Experience will thrill one participant and up to 7 of their friends and family members. You will receive a table on Millionaire's Row at Churchill Downs - the home of the Kentucky Derby. Rub elbows with racing's owners and trainers as you enjoy a day at the races, complete with a chef's table lunch, reserved seating, and 8 racing programs. Learn more about the history of the Kentucky Derby with your 8 passes to the Kentucky Derby Museum. This package can be redeemed during the 2021-2022 racing season (some exclusions on dates apply). This prize is sponsored by Churchill Downs.
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If you're a fan of Zenyatta, this prize is for you! Celebrate the Queen of Racing with a framed poster celebrating the 10-year-anniversary of her Breeders' Cup triumph (which was given out exclusively at the 2019 Breeders' Cup World Championships) and a Zenyatta hat, along with tons of other swag from the Breeders' Cup including masks, pins, magnets, and much more. This prize is sponsored by the Breeders' Cup.
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Have you ever dreamed of strolling by gorgeous paddocks, meeting champions from horseracing, or getting to interact with future stars by meeting Thoroughbred foals? Horse Country takes you behind the scenes of Bluegrass Country with exclusive tours of farms, the backstretch of racetracks, adoption centers, feed mills, and more. The winner of this prize will get to choose which tour they would like to take, and bring along up to 3 friends for an unforgettable experience. This prize is sponsored by Horse Country.
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Do you and your horse love the grace and beauty of dressage? This prize has everything a dressage enthusiast could dream of. Educational books and DVDs from top level riders and trainers like Walter Zettl and Debbie McDonald will help you improve your scores in the sandbox, and build a stronger connection with your horse. This prize is sponsored by the United States Dressage Federation.
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If you love Thoroughbreds and you just can't hide it, this prize is for you. Featuring plenty of TAA swag, like a brush, mask, socks, a hat, a cell phone wallet, and a water bottle, you will show your love of ex-racehorses everywhere you go. This prize is sponsored by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
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Your horse works hard for you and deserves the very best. Treat him or her to a Masterson Method Bodywork Session. These sessions improve performance, communication, and your relationship with your horse. This prize is available for Virtual Derby participants who live within 150 miles of Churubusco, IN. This prize is sponsored by Alcatraz Equine Bodyworks.
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Do you and your horse love eventing? This is the prize for you! Gear up with all kinds of eventing goodies at the USEA Online Store with this $100 gift certificate. This prize is sponsored by the United States Eventing Association.
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The Breeders' Cup World Championships are a highlight of every fall for horseracing lovers - the year end championships where the kings and queens of racing are crowned. Show your love for the event with this awesome Breeders' Cup goodie bag, filled with swag like masks, hats, pins, a tumbler, a fabulous hardback Breeders' Cup book, and a stylish leather clutch, complete with a kit to keep it clean. This prize is sponsored by the Breeders' Cup.
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Does "jumping = life" for you and your horse? The folks at the United States Hunter Jumper Association were kind enough to donate two prizes again this year! The first goodie bag contains everything you need for a day at the barn, from a brush, shoeshine kit, travel tumbler, hoof pick, hat, trainers manual, and more. This prize is sponsored by the United States Hunter Jumper Association.
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The second USHJA bag is for a day at the show! With a water bottle, hat, manual, variety of sunscreen products, travel bag, and USHJA cloth, you and your horse will be ready to take on whatever competition is next on your calendar. This prize is sponsored by the United States Hunter Jumper Association.
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Whether you ride English or Western, Chick's Discount Saddlery has you covered. With a variety of great items, all at unbeatable prices, you can stock up on anything you need for the coming summer with your horse with this $50 gift certificate. This prize is sponsored by Chick's Discount Saddlery.
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When it comes to stallion farms, Coolmore America is top class. With stallions like Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify on their roster, as well as fan favorite Maximum Security, the beautiful farm is a horseracing fan or breeder's dream. Show off your favorite horse with great gear from the farm. This prize is sponsored by Coolmore America.
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From horse health items like supplements, to awesome apparel and riding gear, SmartPak has something for everyone. Choose your favorite items with this $50 gift certificate to the SmartPak online or in-person store. This prize is sponsored by SmartPak.
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As winter draws to a close, you may be bringing in your horse blankets and realizing after a long winter that they aren't so fresh. Rugged Rider Tack and Blanket Services are here for you to get those dirty items clean and looking just like new. With this $100 gift certificate, and the ability to either drop items off at their store or ship them, your horses blankets will be looking great in no time. This prize is sponsored by Rugged Rider Tack & Blanket Service.
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As a bonus, the horse who finishes the race first by raising $250 the fastest, and the horse who raises the most total money during the race will both also receive a customized stall plaque, sponsored by AZR Designs Indiana.
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Ready to join in the fun? Watch the Friends of Ferdinand Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages for full details about how to enter your horse in the race. Entries open Tuesday, April 20 at 3PM ET.
- FFI .
