Imagine retired racehorses living the lives they deserve after they retire from racing. This is the subject of a poignant painting by Julie Wear. The painting depicts several retired Thoroughbreds in a beautiful Autumn setting.

"I did the painting to show retired ex-racehorses enjoying a peaceful day with the warm sun on their backs, living healthy, happy and useful lives. On the right side a newly retired racehorse enters the painting to join the others. In this way I wanted the painting to focus on a positive picture of what is possible for retired race horses."

Wear is donating the copyright to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. The image will be used to produce retail merchandise such as posters, t-shirts, tote bags, coffee cups, etc. Merchandise will be available through www.trfinc.org.

"My desire is for this painting to be used to raise both funds and awareness through the sale of the original painting and through the continual sale of merchandise to all segments of the horse owning/loving public. Hopefully it will serve as a reminder of the possibilities of good futures for our retired horses."

All funds raised by the auction of the original painting will be donated to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.