by Elizabeth Cheesman, Winbak Farm Public Relations & Marketing

Chesapeake City, MD — On March 16, 2016, a fire broke out at the South Florida Training Center and claimed the lives of several horses.

Included in this tragedy were seven Winbak-owned horses that were in Florida to train with Tommy Haughton for the upcoming stakes season. Five of the Winbak horses perished in the fire, one was euthanized due to the severity of the wounds suffered and one was sent home to Maryland to recover.

Despite the horrific outcome for some of these horses, many others were spared that night because of the quick actions of a brave group of people.

Joe and JoAnn Thomson and all of the team at Winbak Farm would like to thank and recognize the following people for their bravery and kind determination to save lives: Allison Dobrowolski, Dale Gilmour, Dan Daley, Dr. Kurinda, Dr. Cummings, Ester Trudel, Fern Paquet, Jack Pelling, Jamie Daley, Justin Maceachern, Lynn Moreau, Mike Friedman, Morgan Carney, Roman Lopez, Sarah Hartmen and Scott Renz.

Additionally, we offer a sincere thanks to the kind-hearted Ann-Mari Daley for her help the night of the fire and every day since then, The Palm Beach Fire and Rescue Unit and Captain Thomas Fucci for their quick and immediate action, and Dr. Alexander Daniel and his team at Reid and Associates Equine Clinic.