Jay Hanley has spent much of the past two decades as a Thoroughbred racehorse owner helping bring new people into the sport. Now, he is turning his attention toward educating industry professionals and casual fans on the plight of retired Thoroughbreds and the importance of aftercare.

Hanley funded and is executive producer of the one-hour documentary film “Off Track: Fate of a Racehorse,” which will have its world premiere screening Aug. 7 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

In the past 20 years, aftercare has emerged as a hot-button issue for an industry under siege from outside forces for not adequately caring for its equine athletes. Preventing horses from slipping through the cracks and winding up in slaughterhouses is paramount to the survival of Thoroughbred racing in North America. Rehoming, retraining, and rehabilitating retired runners is key to not only doing right by the horse, but also to establishing a good reputation among a skeptical public.

“I’m hoping to open the eyes of people inside and outside the industry on where racehorses go when they’re retired,” said Hanley. “Try to move the needle a little bit on the consciousness level of owners, the vast majority of whom – at least the ones I know – put the horses first. And get people outside the industry to understand that we care, because we do.”

Hanley, who owns a Nantucket, Mass.-based construction company, came to prominence a decade ago as co-owner of the 2017 champion turf female Lady Eli. He and co-owner Sol Kumin stepped up to provide long-term medical care for Lady Eli after she contracted a life-threatening case of laminitis. Hanley also co-owned dual champion and dual Breeders’ Cup winner Goodnight Olive. He has made it his mission to bring dozens of friends and acquaintances into Thoroughbred ownership, most notably Kumin, who has gone on to become one of the most prodigious owners in the sport.

Hanley was drawn to documentaries as a learning tool by his father, a reporter for the New York Times; and his mother, who was a teacher. He wants to deliver a message through this film, which is his first such endeavor.

Jay Hanley (Anne M. Eberhardt/BloodHorse)

“The idea came from my horses,” Hanley said. “The fillies I’ve raced always seem to find a good home, but the colts and geldings are a different story. You don’t always know where they go, and I lost track of some of them. A lot of these horses make fantastic strides in their second careers, bring joy and happiness to people. That’s what I want to highlight.”

Although Hanley started out telling the story of humans helping horses, the script flipped along the way into one that highlights how horses can help humans.

“It’s about that magical connection, which I wanted to explore through retired racehorses,” Hanley stated.

Hanley engaged the services of Saratoga-based filmmaker John Wager to produce and direct the documentary. Wager previously directed “Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor,” a film about wounded veterans who used comedy as part of their healing process. That film won awards at several film festivals and was picked up by Showtime. Wager immediately saw parallels between that film and “Off Track: Fate of a Racehorse.”

As part of the Thoroughbred documentary, Wager filmed not only at retraining and rescue facilities but at New York’s Wallkill Correctional Facility, which, in conjunction with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, runs a long-established equine-therapy program that helps inmates rebuild trust by working with horses. He also shot at locations where veterans battling post-traumatic stress disorder interact with horses to help center them emotionally.

“The human connection and energy and the healing part of the horses, you can’t even explain it verbally,” Wager stated. “But we try to put it across in the film. Hardened prisoners who have horses help them with their anger and trust issues. And horses working with veterans.

“This film is a portal for casual fans to enter into this world and witness the special connection.”

The film was shot at locations in New York, Florida, Kentucky, Colorado, and Ireland. In speaking to fans at racetracks, Wager noted he was taken by how many didn’t realize that horses can live 25 or 30 years past their racing careers, and didn’t know where they went after leaving the track. The filmmakers have also received feedback from test screenings with audiences made up of people outside the racing world.

“The overwhelming reaction was that people didn’t realize the struggle of finding homes for these horses, and wanted to know what they could do to help,” Wager said. “It is inspiring to hear that, because they connected emotionally. We started shooting this two years ago, and what stands out is how hard the aftercare community works. And they’re not doing it for the money, that’s for sure.”

Hanley (second left), Goodnight Olive, and connections. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Hanley’s goal in making “Off Track: Fate of a Racehorse” is to move the industry forward by spotlighting one of its most vulnerable areas.

“Whether you’re a person or a company or an industry or a country, it is critical to take a hard look inside yourself, find your weaknesses, and make them better. If you’re afraid to do that, you’re going to fail,” Hanley said.

“We’re taking an unbiased look at the good and the bad that can happen to Thoroughbreds. We’ve made great strides as an industry, and there are more strides to be taken. The more we can get the message out there, the more places we can establish where horses can go, the more help we can give to both horses and people.”

While Hanley hopes to get as many eyeballs on the film as possible, that will have to wait a while. He and Wager said their immediate plan is to apply for entrance into numerous film festivals around the country. To remain eligible for these festivals, they cannot hold a public screening of the film. The idea is to be accepted to festivals, garner positive reviews, and hopefully make a deal with a streaming entity. Down the line, they would like to show “Off Track: Fate of a Racehorse” to horseman’s groups, veterans’ organizations, and others interested in rehabilitating both horses and humans.

The Aug. 7 screening in Saratoga is for a private audience of about 170 people. But those who would like to stay connected to the documentary can go to offtrackfilm.com to get information on festival screenings and, ultimately, distribution availability.

“This is a passion project,” Hanley stated. “There are moments that hit you right in the heart, and it’s a window for people to care about horses.”