Mbailis
From AlexBrownRacing
Contents |
Bio
I am a 17-year resident of Denver, Colorado, though I still tend to consider my hometown, Philadelphia, to be where my heart is. Though more of a "creative type", I make my living as a senior manager in the area of nationwide telecommunications wireless infrastructure deployment. In addition to being active in equine welfare issues and anti-slaughter, I spend quite a bit of time pursuing my first love, music. I enjoy playing guitar and some bass, and can often be found out and about catching live music, often in combination with one of my other hobbies, photography. I am a big fan of horse racing and have spent what some may say is an excessive amount of time over the years working on my handicapping. I also enjoy all manner of sports, including snowboarding and golf, and am a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Yankees.
Horse experience
Though I grew up in a pretty horsey area in suburban Philadelphia, I haven't ridden a horse in almost 25 years. Even back then, I was more likely to be found mucking stalls for my friend's sisters' horses than actually riding myself. My real introduction to horses was earlier, falling in love with thoroughbreds at the racetrack. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the game and taught to read the Racing Form at an early age by my grandfather, who had a profound impact on my life and whose personal vision of paradise was undoubtedly a day picking winners at Saratoga. To this day I share my late grandfather's passion for the horses, and I love feeling an ongoing connection with him through the sport.
FOB activities
In addition to supporting various equine rescues and taking part in rescues coordinated on the Alex Brown Racing board, I have been involved since 2003 in supporting and fundraising for Old Friends[1], a facility for retired Thoroughbreds in Georgetown, Kentucky. The impetus for my involvement with Old Friends was in 2003 when the Blood-Horse[2] broke the story of the 2002 death of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand[3] in a Japanese slaughterhouse. I fondly remembered Ferdinand's winning the Derby during my senior year of high school, as well as his Horse of the Year campaign the following year. Though I was familiar with the sad demise of the great Exceller[4] in a Swedish slaughterhouse before Ferdinand, I had naively assumed his death to be an isolated incident. Upon hearing of Ferdinand's cruel death, I was shocked and disgusted and quickly found a kindred organization to help in Old Friends. Old Friends recently unveiled its new sign welcoming visitors to the farm and honoring our inspiration, Exceller and Ferdinand[5].
FOB Network
Too many names to mention individually. It's been a pleasure making new friends via the Alex Brown Racing board. Together we have done amazing things to help rescue horses around the country, raise awareness for laminitis research, and mobilize support for passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
My site and other sites that are useful
Old Friends: www.oldfriendsequine.org[6]
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation: www.trfinc.org[7]
The Exceller Fund: www.excellerfund.org[8]
Thoroughbred Charities of America: www.thoroughbredcharities.org[9]
Another Chance 4 Horses: www.ac4h.com[10]
Habitat For Horses: www.habitatforhorses.org[11]
Pure Thoughts Horse and Foal Rescue: www.saveafoal.com[12]
Shiloh Horse Rescue & Sanctuary: www.shilohhorserescue.com[13]
Miracle Horse Rescue: www.miraclehorse.com[14]
TB Friends Horse Rescue: www.tbfriends.com[15]
Colorado Thoroughbred Horse Rescue: www.coloradotbrescue.org[16]
ReRun: www.rerun.org[17]
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at New Bolton Center, The Laminitis Fund, The Barbaro Fund: www.vet.upenn.edu[18]
The Humane Society of the United States: www.hsus.org[19]
Society for Animal Prevention Legislation: www.saplonline.org[20]
The Flying Filly: www.flyingfilly.com[21]
Mike Rea's Recovery Blog: mikerea.blogspot.com/[22]
Daily Racing Form: www.drf.com[23]
The Blood-Horse: www.bloodhorse.com[24]
Thoroughbred Times: www.thoroughbredtimes.com[25]
Matt Bailis Myspace page: www.myspace.com/mattbailis[26]
Questions from other FOBs
I'm always happy to answer questions any of you may have for me. Fire away!
