Elkton, MD--In this edition of Horse Highlight, Post Time with Mike and Mike teams up with New Vocations to feature the veteran, The Budster. This handsome 13-year-old Broadway Hall had quite the racing career, donator Steve Oldford decided it was time to retire him from racing and train him for a second career.

The Budster was bought in 2006 at the Harrisburg sale in Pennsylvania by Steve Oldford. After purchasing the gelding, Steve turned the gelding over to Pete Foley who was responsible for training duties. As a two-year-old The Budster had a “modest” season, he was raced lightly, hitting the race track only 6 times making $11,000 with no wins.

Returning to the races at three, The Budster had a career-best year in 2008. With 7 wins on the year, he took a mark of 1:54.4, earning just over $180,000 for the year. The highlight race of the season was winning ‘The Old Oaken Bucket’ at the Delaware County fair in Delaware, Ohio.

13-year-old Broadway Hall gelding, The Budster is ready for adoption. S.F. Johnson Photo.

David Miller was aboard for the victory, trotting the mile in 1:56.2 around the famous half-mile track in Ohio. After his 3-year-old year ended, Steve Oldford had sold the horse but had continued to follow him as The Budster went on to make over $400,000 through 2015.

Fast forward to 2016, The Budster ended up at Miami Valley Raceway in Ohio, where his former groom Jessica Schroder spotted him and called Steve right away. “When I got a phone call from Jessica inquiring about The Budster, she told me he was headed for the Amish, and I couldn’t let him go there, so I bought him back primarily for an amateur horse to drive,” Oldford explained. “Under Bucky Goldsmidts guidance, The Budster came back to form and won his first start back with us at Pompano Park in December of 2016 and it just so happened to be an amateur race, Dein Spriggs steered the old guy to a victory,” Steve said.

The Budster went on to race 42 more times, with 7 wins over the next two years, primarily in the amateur races. Steve said, “At 13 he was no longer competitive. So I decided to retire him after his last race that took place in September at the Delaware County Fair in Delaware, Ohio. He then was placed at New Vocations.” For his last start as a racehorse, I (Jessica Otten) was lucky enough to be able to paddock him and send him out on the track one last time. I’ve taken care of quite a few horses at a young age, but The Budster has to possibly be the sweetest one I have taken care of. So well mannered, always had his ears up, and didn’t do a thing wrong. After the race I had to walk him from the front paddock all the way to the far turn, through all the people, and if you have been there before you know all the commotion that goes on. The Budster was like a big dog and walked right beside me, so unbothered by all the commotion going on. Any caretaker that came across him could agree that he was a class act, a perfect gentleman on and off the track.

“I am happy I was able to place The Budster with New Vocations,” Oldford said. “They do a fabulous job and I know he will go to a great home. I enjoy raising money for the organization as well through the amateur driving as well.”

“The Budster, being that he was an amateur driving horse is special as he is a wonderful candidate for someone to ride and drive. He is a bigger bodied horse and prefers to trot under saddle. He is now trotting circles in the arena, is easy to mount and dismount and really likes people. We plan to take him out on a trail ride to see what he thinks of that. If that goes well he will be ready to post on our website.” statement from the Standardbred Program Director Winnie Nemeth.

The Budster is up for adoption, for more information check out the New Vocations website. Be sure to visit www.newvocations.org and view out all of the amazing athletes we have for adoption, remember, make your next horse an ex-racehorse!