Maria Borell Competing at a USEF Sanctioned Event
Many of you remember the story of Maria Borell. The trainer of Runhappy owned by Jim McIngvale who won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Seemingly a meteoric rise only to be fired the day after for getting into a dispute.
Shortly after due to social media attention and sympathy she had gained, she parlayed that into an opportunity to train and claim horses at Gulfstream Park for Drawing Away Stables. This was short lived as she had only managed to claim six horses during this time without ever having won a race. Drawing Away Stables started getting complaints from several people as to the care of their horses. It was then known that Maria wasn’t paying grooms and couldn’t keep any help around due to lack of payment. Drawing Away Stables then decided to separate themselves from Borell.
Then the bomb had dropped in regards to the mistreatment of some 43 horses in her and her fathers care. Malnourished, skinny horses left basically for dead at Stonegate Farm. Both her and her father were charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty. Charles Borell pleaded guilty to 9 counts of animal cruelty in a plea deal while Maria never has answered the warrant as it’s still active.
Fast Forward To Recent
Maria Borell has resurfaced this time in a USEF sanctioned event. Due to several complaints Maria Borell has been temporarily suspended from participating. USEF Spokesperson by the name of Taylor had the following statement to make;
“Thanks for reaching out, We have been made aware of a member who recently joined our organization and has unresolved criminal charges stemming from animal cruelty charges back in 2016, for which there are outstanding arrest warrants for in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This member has been temporarily suspended effective immediately and we are investigating the allegations, which if substantiated could prevent participation in future USEF-licensed events. As an organization we remain committed to ensuring horse welfare and safety at all levels of equestrian sports and do not tolerate any form of equine neglect and/or abuse.”
