Savel (CA)

Grey/Roan Mare 

Foaled April 14, 2021

Sire: Pavel • Dam: Loan Savant (by Spring At Last)

Last Race: Sept. 14, 2025 at Los Alamitos TB (8th race, Maiden Claiming, finished 7th)

Career Stats: 3 starts, no wins, no seconds, no third place, earnings of $1,780

Arrived at SCR: March 13, 2026 (from CARMA)
 

Some horses earn headlines through victories.

Others earn admiration through heart.

Savel is one of those horses.

During her racing career, Savel competed at Del Mar Racetrack and Los Alamitos Race Course, making 3 career starts and earning $1,780. Her racing record shows finishes of 5th, 7th, and 7th, with her final start coming on September 14, 2025 at Los Alamitos.

But those numbers don't tell her story.

During her time on the track, Savel suffered a fractured fetlock that required surgery. For many horses, that could have been the end of the road.

Fortunately, Savel's racing connections believed her life after racing mattered. They ensured she received the medical care she needed and gave her the opportunity for a second career.

Today, that second chance begins at SCRAF.

Since arriving at Sandia Creek Ranch, Savel has traded the starting gate for open pasture, quiet mornings, and the opportunity to simply be a horse again. She is settling into her new life with curiosity, kindness, and a willingness to connect with the people around her.

A Note from Her Partner & Trainer, Kiersti:
"Savel originally came to SCRAF for the 'Training to Train' program, but it quickly became clear that she needed an experienced, consistent hand - someone who could give her clarity instead of mixed signals. She was hot, sensitive, and a little defensive, and that’s where our partnership began. Savel puts on a tough front, but underneath it she genuinely wants connection. In the early days she had very little interest in keeping all four feet on the ground, yet as our relationship has grown, her interest in our partnership has truly transformed. Her effort is unmistakable. She’s become so friendly that she now meets you at the gate without fail, even if she’s out in the pasture. She absolutely loves riding out in the hills, and around the barn she watches you like a hawk - always tuned in, always wanting to be part of whatever you’re doing. Savel is an incredibly talented mare who simply needed a soft, steady hand to help her find herself. With the introduction of liberty work, we’ve watched her blossom. She’s no longer just tolerating partnership - she’s seeking it. And seeing her choose connection, confidence, and trust has been one of the most rewarding parts of her journey, and there is not a cookie she doesn't like!"

Looking Ahead
Savel has casually set her sights on the 2026 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in Lexington, Kentucky, but only if she decides that's the direction she wants to go.

At SCRAF, we believe horses deserve a voice in their own journey.

Whether Savel becomes a competitive sport horse, a trail partner, a lesson horse, or something entirely different, her future will be built on confidence, trust, and partnership rather than pressure.

Every step forward will happen at her pace.

How You Can Help Savel: 
Your support helps provide:

• Daily feed, hay, and care
• Veterinary and farrier services
• Training and education opportunities
• Transportation and competition expenses
• Travel to the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in Lexington, Kentucky

Savel's racing career may have been brief, but her story is just beginning.

Thank you for helping us give this deserving mare the opportunity to discover what comes next. Every donation helps turn a former racehorse's second chance into a successful future.

Together, we can help Savel write the best chapter of her life yet. 

Learn more at www.scraf.org