from New Vocations

Laura, OH — New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is receiving 50 percent of the proceeds from the paintings of retired Thorougbred Metro, who may be the first retired racehorse to become a professional artist.

Photo courtesy of Ron Krajewski

Metro is hard at work on one of his paintings.

Metro had a long successful career as a racehorse. In his day he was one of the fastest turf sprinters at Belmont and Saratoga. He was stakes placed at two and again at five, winning nearly $300,000 in his four years at the track. But eventually injuries forced him to the sidelines.

Claimed three times during his career, Metro was fortunate that Ron and Wendy Krajewski were part of his last ownership. They were thinking about getting a horse to trail ride, so they decided to give Metro a home. Though plagued with bad knees like many athletes, it was hoped that Metro would be suitable for casual riding.

However, after a couple of years Ron Krajewski noticed that Metro was increasingly losing flexibility in his knees. He loved the gelding dearly and started contemplating what Metro could do to add purpose to his life. Krajewski is an artist by profession. The thought entered his mind that perhaps he and his beloved horse could paint together.

New Vocations Executive Director Dot Morgan continues the story.

“It was an interesting e-mail that became downright inspiring,” said Morgan. “Krajewski described his adopted Thoroughbred Metro Meteor, how he’d taught him to paint, and that he wanted to commit part of the proceeds to New Vocations. But then he went on to say that six paintings had sold the first week and he was sending 50 percent of the sales to New Vocations.

“In addition, an article about Metro’s mission had appeared in the Gettysburg Times and just been picked up by the Associated Press. He included a link to a video of Metro painting in his stable studio. I watched the video and was astounded. This was potentially one of the greatest awareness building stories I’d ever seen. It was obvious that Metro’s ability to help horses beyond the track would far exceed his numerous accolades at the track. Here was the high profile spokesman that racehorses needed, and it was one of their own.”

Metro’s story has recently been shared by news stations across the country.

When Jill Rappaport of the Today Show heard about Metro and that 50 percent of the proceeds of his work was benefitting New Vocations, she knew it was a story for national television. The interview and footage of Metro took place at Metro’s stable near Gettysburg on March 19 and is scheduled to be aired in three two-minute segments on Thursday (April 4) from 7-9 a.m.

There is now a 50 person waiting list for Metro’s original paintings, but prints can be purchased from Metro’s SmugMug store. For more information about this amazing horse and his philanthropic support of retired racehorses, visit www.paintedbymetro.com or join his Facebook page: Painted By Metro.