Home of the Summit of Speed
Welcome to the Festival of the Sun!
Festival of the Sun
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Each year for the past 17 years some of the world’s finest Thoroughbreds have come to Calder Race Course for the richest day in Florida racing... the Festival of the Sun.
This year, we mark the renewal of this Thoroughbred classic by celebrating all horses. From the smallest of breeds, the Miniature, to some of the largest such as the Belgian, Percheron and Shire, we pay tribute to the animal that has played such an important role in the history of men and women. They are majestic creatures, tireless workers and faithful companions. The horse is a gentle symbol of all that is noble and proud.
So we hope you enjoy this year’s edition of the Festival of the Sun, especially that special breed of horse known for its beauty, power and speed... the Thoroughbred.
$400,000 In Reality - Florida Stallion Stakes
2-year-olds, 1 1/16 Miles
$400,000 My Dear Girl - Florida Stallion Stakes
2 y.o. Fillies, 1 1/16 Miles
$100,000 Calder Derby (Gr. III-T)
3-year-olds, 1 1/8 Miles - Turf
$100,000 Spend A Buck Handicap (Gr. III)
3 & up, 1 1/16 Miles
$100,000 Calder Oaks
3-year-olds, 1/8 Miles - Turf
$75,000 Birdonthewire Stakes
2-year-olds, 5 1/2 Furlongs
$75,000 Cassidy Stakes
2 y.o. Fillies, 5 1/2 Furlongs
Horse Fair 2008
Get a close-up look at some interesting horse breeds. These horses represent the diverse breeds of horses in the world today. Encounter their magnificent beauty and see their most striking features first hand. The Village features therapeutic riding centers, equine adoption programs and horse welfare agencies that are looking for volunteers to match their organizations needs. Many of these organizations could not function without volunteers to assist their programs. Therapeutic riding is a hidden gem in the equine world. Thousands of inspiring stories come from patient interaction with horses build, mobility, confidence and self-sufficiency that was not possible via other means. Working with these programs and seeing this progress is very rewarding for volunteers, patients and staff alike. Equine adoption programs are also important giving homes to equines who no longer have them. Many of these horses have physical and mental concerns that require attention. Volunteers can help overworked staff give these horses the extra TLC they need.
Beautiful Breeds
In earlier times all horses were very similar, but because of the roles assigned to them by man they evolved into distinctive types. Today, horses differ as much as people do in their appearance, characteristics and personalities. And like people, groups of horses that share similar ancestry also share similar characteristics. These groups within the horse kingdom are called breeds.
Calder is proud to present over a *dozen different breeds during our Festival of the Sun.
The appearance of all horses cannot be guaranteed in the event of unforeseen scheduling conflicts
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
Millionaire racehorse Shake You Down will be honored on Festival of the Sun day in the winner's circle, thanks to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, where he is currently retired. Founded in 1982 to provide a well-deserved, humane retirement for Thoroughbred racehorses at the end of their track careers, the nonprofit Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has evolved to become an innovative, forward-thinking organization that is wholly supported by donations from private citizens and the racing industry. The TRF operates facilities across the country, including a Florida division at the Marion County Correctional Institution in Ocala. Calder supports the Florida Division, including annual contributions which will total well into the six figures. The first horse to take up residence there was Carterista, a popular Florida-based racehorse who was the "spokeshorse" for the Retired Thoroughbred Ceremony during the Festival of the Sun several years ago.
Through TRF programs at state correctional facilities, prison inmates and juvenile offenders derive emotional as well as educational benefits from TRF's pioneering, state-accredited vocational programs in horse care and management. Besides learning marketable skills, the horses' caretakers develop responsibility, pride and self-esteem - life skills that are reflected in the glowing condition and spirited affection of the horses in their care.
Since 1996, TRF has added to its programs the placement of horses in adoptive homes, in equine education programs, and in riding programs for the mentally and physically challenged. Satellite farms have also greatly extended TRF's capacity to receive horses in need of new homes.
Calder Race Course, as part of a Churchill Downs Incorporated initiative, has partnered with the TRF in the Green Pastures Program. This program encourages horsemen to retire racehorses while they are still sound and suitable for second careers and invites race fans to get involved by adopting or sponsoring retired racehorses. This is facilitated by assisting horsemen to place and arrange transportation of horses to retirement farms and by making racing fans aware that they can become new owners if they are willing to give a retired racehorse a good home. In addition, horsemen and fans alike can sponsor a retired racehorse for as little as $3 a day. For only slightly more than a cost of a wager, you can make sure a racehorse enjoys a healthy retirement. It's a way of paying our horses back for all the excitement they gave you during their racing careers. To adopt or sponsor a racehorse, contact TRF at 1-800-728-1660 or CDI at
1-800-28-DERBY ext 4502
