Our
Causes
HOPE 4 ALL
In 2019 CJ Thoroughbreds president Corey Johnsen led the founding of a new charitable foundation called Hope 4 All. Based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Hope 4 All helps cultivate equal access to hope and opportunity by supporting or creating a number of initiatives in the DFW area and nationally by collaborating, raising awareness, volunteering and making financial gifts.
In 2022 Hope 4 All provided more than $70,000 to 16 North Texas organizations and also contributed 325 hours of public service to 12 organizations.
See Hope 4 All stories of hope, help and giving and also become a Hope4All email insider to keep up with all of our latest news.
GRAND PRAIRIE EQUINE CENTER
CJ Thoroughbreds, in a collaborative public-private partnership with the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, is leading the effort to create the Grand Prairie Equine Center.
The first project of its type in Texas, the Grand Prairie Equine Center will provide equine-assisted counseling and therapeutic riding for veterans, first responders and at-risk youth and their families.
This state-of-the-art facility will sit on approximately 5 acres near Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie and include a riding arena, multi-purpose room, three barns, multiple round pens, and pasture for resident equines to roam and graze. The space will be shared by several key initiatives including STEPS with Horses (therapeutic riding), Grand Prairie Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit, stabling for retired racehorses and an equine academy program for high school students.
OLD FRIENDS WELCOME CENTER
CJ Thoroughbreds and the Hope 4 All charitable foundation are helping to make Old Friends founder Michael Blowen’s vision of creating a new Visitors Center at the Georgetown, Kentucky farm for more than 240 retired racehorses come to fruition.
Blowen’s dream of adding a modern Visitors Center as a sparkling new centerpiece at Old Friends is now happening.
The new Visitors Center will include a museum, video center, gift shop, restrooms and potentially a bourbon tasting room that will allow Old Friends to increase attendance, expand daily capacity and stage more and bigger special events.
NORMATHON
CJ Thoroughbreds teamed up with legendary sportscaster and horse partner Norm Hitzges to raise $13,500 for the Austin Street Center, one of the largest homeless shelters in Dallas, during the Normathon on Dec. 26. The daylong radio show is a decades long tradition and has raised millions of dollars to assist the homeless.
The auction item was 10% interest in a now two-year-old colt by Street Boss. The winning bidder was Benny McKee, who will also be able to name the young horse. The Street Boss colt is currently in early training at Highlander Training Center in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
“It is an honor to be part of the Normathon,” said CJ Thoroughbreds President Corey Johnsen. “We have an exciting prospect for Benny McKee. I watched him train and was very impressed. He is by a top sire and wants to be a race horse like his dam who won 13 races in her career.