Cinema helps thoroughbreds in Rome

A centre has been set up in Rome where retired horses can live out their days in peace.Named Relived Horses was the idea of Jacqueline Freda, the former jockey who has also been involved in the world of cinema and the use of horses on set.The idea comes from the Ferdinand Fee which was set up in America in the wake of the apparent maltreatment of Ferdinand, a thoroughbred racehorse racehorse who won the 1986 Kentucky Derby and 1987 Breeders’ Cup Classic. He was voted the 1987 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year. He entered stud in 1989 and was later sold to a breeding farm in Japan in 1994.Much to the outrage of many horse racing enthusiasts, reports indicate that in 2002 Ferdinand was sent to slaughter in Japan with no fanfare or notice to previous owners.In 2006, the New York Owners and Breeders’ Association initiated the small voluntary per-race charge called the Ferdinand Fee to help horse rescue and retirement.The 45-year-old Freda was born in France but lives in Rome and her father Riccardo was the famous director. After she retired Jacqueline turned to the world of cinema but always wanted to “do something serious to help others.“