Seabiscuit Arrives at Tulsa Boys' Home

“Seabiscuit” will also make his first public appearance in Oklahoma at Tulsa Boys’ Home’s premier fundraising event, “Run for the Roses” on May 7.

Rich in Dallas, the horse who portrayed Seabiscuit in the 2004 Disney film, now takes residence at the Tulsa Boys’ Home. Scott Averill is in charge of TBH’s Equine Program.

What famous Hollywood movie star has four legs and flies like the wind? It’s Seabiscuit, of course! And he’s coming to live at Tulsa Boys’ Home!

Actually, it’s Rich in Dallas, a race horse that played Seabiscuit in the 2004 Disney movie that received seven Academy Award nominations. When you see actor Tobey Maguire as jockey Red Pollard on Seabiscuit galloping full-tilt across the silver screen, that’s Rich in Dallas acting the part of the legendary superhorse that galvanized and energized a depressed citizenry in 1938 America.

What is even more exciting is that “Seabiscuit” came to town to cross a new finish line in March, when he arrived at his new home with 64 boys at Tulsa Boys’ Home (TBH).

This all came about when Leslie and Tom Hubble of Stroud, who help rescue thoroughbreds that are retired from racing, learned that “Seabiscuit” (Rich in Dallas) was needing a new home. Leslie is a volunteer with the Exceller Fund that rescues and re-trains racehorses for a second career after the race track, saving the horses from neglect and possibly even slaughter. Rich in Dallas is one such horse, and he will join the Therapeutic Equine Program at Tulsa Boys’ Home as part of its residential treatment program for troubled Oklahoma boys.

“We’re told he is not only a movie star, but is also a gentle and good-natured horse,” said Gregg Conway, Executive Director of the Tulsa Boys’ Home, “and that anyone can ride him. And everyone, staff and boys alike, is excited about ‘Seabiscuit’ (Rich in Dallas) joining our campus!”

“Seabiscuit” will also make his first public appearance in Oklahoma at Tulsa Boys’ Home’s premier fundraising event, “Run for the Roses” on May 7. The party will again be held in the Pavilion at the Tulsa Fairgrounds at the same time as the running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Guests, who will enjoy all the Derby races on two giant Jumbotron screens, great food, live and silent auctions, big fancy hats on ladies, and even placing bets on the afternoon races, will also get to stand heel to hoof, so to speak, with Rich in Dallas for a photograph with the star and a friendly pat or two.

Run for the Roses is so popular that the 620 guests who attended last year are expected to turn into a sell-out crowd of 700 party-goers this year. If you are interested in meeting a four-legged movie star, and attending this year’s Run for the Roses, just call Lucy Willis at Tulsa Boys’ Home at (918) 245-0231, extension 5055 to make a reservation. You can also sign up as a sponsor or for reservations for an individual, a couple, or for a table for eight at www.tulsaboyshome.org.

Tulsa Boys’ Home was founded in 1918 and has offered healing and hope to more than 11,600 boys to date. The residential treatment facility helps 11 to 18 year old boys with emotional and behavioral problems, and serves about 166 boys each year. It is a United Way agency located in west Tulsa County on 158 acres at 2727 S. 137th W. Ave. in Sand Springs. For photographs of past Run for the Roses events, go to the TBH flickr site, www.flickr.com/photos/ ­runforroses.

For more information, contact

Tulsa Boys’ Home

www.tulsaboyshome.org