With the vast amount of information and data on the Internet, it's easy for horseplayers to forget about the people - the flesh and blood human beings - who create and make available such great information and data in Cyberspace.
 

COLONIAL DOWNS - http://www.colonialdowns.com - This young Virginia track has not lost sight that the fans are what makes racing go. Two features on the site, Food4Thought and Odds and Ends, make it seem that a personal friend is telling you about his or her special day at the races from an almost family type of view,  the similarity (or differences) between humans and horses that you might not think about (and yes, there is a racing angle), and heartwarming descriptions of some of the productive and interesting possibilities for retired racehorses.

REMINGTON PARK - http://www.remingtonpark2.com - Features Horsing Around,  a page devoted to kids, with video clips from the racetrack-produced Horse Sense video program, showing thoroughbreds and people interacting at the track.

RETAMA PARK - http://www.retamapark.com - Right in the middle of entries & results, standings, and workouts is the link to Family Fun, a page of pictures very much like one you'd find in a family photo album, with scenes from family-oriented events and fan appreciation days. No big deal, but great memories preserved for all who were there on those occasions to see time and again. Are those memories any less valuable than the memories of big scores and big near-misses?

THE EXCELLER FUND - http://www.excellerfund.org- From the homepage: "The Exceller Horse Rescue Fund is an Internet group that raises money to rescue Thoroughbred horses who would otherwise be sent to slaughter. After a horse is rescued, we pay their monthly expenses until they are adopted to a good home. We do this in memory of Exceller - a racing legend on two continents - who died an untimely and undignified death in Sweden. "

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FOUNDATION - http://www.trfinc.org - Again, this site's homepage says it all and well: "Founded in 1982, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) was the pioneering forerunner for similar operations and remains the largest humane organization dedicated to the rescue of racehorses when they can no longer run.  For 16 years, the national, nonprofit TRF has been providing lifetime haven to equine athletes of all ages, including those unsuitable for riding because of racing injuries. For many of our pensioners, the TRF truly has been the difference between life and death. TRF also provides the assurance of lifetime care for increasing numbers of horses through our other programs."

There are many thoroughbred "retirement" sites, many of which have a local or regional focus, and not just in the United States. For more listings, be sure to visit http://horseracing.about.com and select the "Equine Charities" link.

THE DON MACBETH FUND - http://www.macbethfund.org- "To assist injured and disabled riders." Founded by horseman and comedian Tim Conway in the late 80's when he wanted to donate his fee for an appearance at Canterbury Park to a fund for jockeys who needed help, when Tim discovered there was no such fund. While big time riders can pay out the five-figure yearly premiums for insurance to cover catastrophic injuries, as the site says, ".....But what about the little-known riders on claiming horses at Queen City Downs? How about the guys who get on 40-1 shots at Beulah Park and will never even have a chance at a Derby mount? What do they do when their legs get broken in four places. . .when their necks go in a brace. . . their lives go on hold?" I heartily recommend a visit to this site by anyone who calls himself a fan of horse racing.