Honorary Board Members

Joan and Walter Mondale

Laura Hillenbrand
New York Times best selling Author of Seabiscuit, An American Legend

Barbara Howard
Author of Letters to Seabiscuit

Janice Howard
Great Grand- Daughter of Charles S Howard

Jeff Bridges
Actor, Charles Howard role in Seabiscuit, the motion picture

Gary Ross
Director of the Academy Award nominated film, Seabiscuit

Chris McCarron
Hall of Fame jockey who played the role of Charley Kurtsinger, War Admiral's jockey in the motion picture Seabiscuit and is currently the Vice President and General Manager of Santa Anita Park

Stephen Ives
President of Insignia Films and Producer/Director of Seabiscuit, the Emmy Award winning documentary

Richard Moe
President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Knox Mellon
Former California State Historic Preservation Officer and current Executive Director of the California Missions Foundation, who witnessed Seabiscuit's final race at Santa Anita in 1940

The Seabiscuit Heritage and The Frank R. Howard Foundation Present:

Seabiscuit’s Legacy ART EXHIBITION & BENEFIT AUCTION

The Seabiscuit Legacy Art Exhibition and Auction, a benefit for Seabiscuit Heritage and Howard Foundation in celebration of fine art and the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit – scheduled on May 22, 2010 at the champion’s home, Ridgewood Ranch, Willits, California.

Willits, CA, January 14, 2010 -- The Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation and The Frank R. Howard Foundation with the support of the Arts Council of Mendocino, launches a call to artists to participate in a premiere art event scheduled on May 22, 2010. ‘May the World Never Forget the Magnificent Seabiscuit.’

Seabiscuit’s Legacy art exhibit and benefit auction will feature art depicting the legacy of the Great American horse racing icon in a variety of styles and media. More than 500 community artists have been invited to participate and their work will be featured at a silent and live auction to help raise money for the new Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital Building Fund and the preservation efforts of the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation. Many of the historic buildings built by Seabiscuit’s owner, and founding donor of Howard Memorial Hospital, C.S. Howard, still remain and are in urgent need of repair. The Howard Foundation is raising funds for a new state-of-the art hospital in Willits.

“The theme is Seabiscuit's Legacy,” says Jacqueline Cooper, a representative of the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation. “Artwork, will include, but is not limited to an equestrian theme. Works can include the paintings of the oak woodlands, old-growth Redwood groves, and the landscapes that constitute Seabiscuit’s legacy. Seabiscuit’s stud barn, Howard Memorial Hospital and other historic structures in our community would be very appropriate.”

Each participating individual is invited to create their impression of the horses’ legacy, with approximately four months to create their personal interpretation. There are two categories of participation: Seabiscuit’s Legacy or other select, finished artworks artists may wish to contribute. Participation in the Seabiscuit Art Exhibit & Benefit Auction will include work from members of the Arts Council of Mendocino County. Community artists are especially encouraged to participate. There is no entry fee, but those who wish to be included, are invited to return their artworks to the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation Office by the submission deadline of May 7. Those participating have the option to retain a commission of the auction price or donate the full proceeds to the event. For more information or to request an artist’s contract, contact seabiscuit@instawave.net or call 707 459-5992.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation to honor our shared history,” says Ian Fitzpatrick of the Frank R. Howard Foundation. “We also look forward to collaborating with Mendocino County artists to put on an outstanding event where all parties benefit.”

Special thanks to Anna Kvinsland, Executive Director of the Arts Council of Mendocino County, and Gary Martin, Director of the Willits Chapter for their guidance and support with this project.

The Seabiscuit Heritage and the Howard Foundation will host the Art Exhibit, Dinner & Benefit Auction on Saturday, May 22 from 6:00pm – 9:30pm at Ridgewood Ranch in Willits. This event is by reservation only and will feature live music, dinner and refreshments. The general public can purchase tickets in advance for the Seabiscuit Art Show & Benefit Auction by contacting 707-459-5992 or seabiscuit@instawave.net for more information.

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Download Seabiscuit's Legacy Exhibtion and Auction - Artist's contract - final.pdf

Stamp

Seabiscuit Stamped Envelope Courtesy of USPS
by Artist John Mattos

"Morning Workout"

Seabiscuit and George Woolf
"The Iceman"

Unveiled at Ridgewood Ranch May 24, 2008

Click here for order information
Download Order Form (1.3 MB PDF)

"Final Victory"

Seabiscuit and John "Red" Pollard crossing the finish line of the Santa Anita Handicap.

Unveiled at Ridgewood Ranch
May 24, 2008

Click here for order information.
Download Order Form (1.3 MB PDF)

Latest News and Press Release

A battered horse named Seabiscuit, along with his owner, Charles Howard, a self made San Francisco businessman, Johnny "Red" Pollard a down on his luck prize fighter turned jockey and a little known trainer named Tom Smith embodied the American spirit and gave hope to millions of Americans during the darkest economic era our nation has ever faced. With the help of these three men and one victory after another, Seabiscuit lifted the citizens of our country out of the despair of the Great Depression. In 1938, he became the greatest icon of his time garnering more press than President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

   The Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was formed to promote the cultural legacy of Ridgewood Ranch in Willits, California, the home and final resting place of the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit through historic preservation, environmental conservation and public education.

   With the recent development of Glenn Riddle Farm (now a multi-million dollar gated community with two golf courses) home of Seabiscuit's arch rival War Admiral and the legendary Man 'O War, Seabiscuit's great grandsire, Ridgewood Ranch becomes one of the few remaining sites that can remind of us of a time in our history when a little racehorse with a big heart captured an entire nation. Without a focused historic preservation and land conservation effort, Ridgewood Ranch is at risk for development and too could be lost.

   The Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation is dedicated to preserving the remaining 5,000 acres of Charles Howard's Ridgewood Ranch by restoring historic buildings and conserving the Ranch's creeks, oak woodlands, old growth redwoods and open rangeland. The SHF is working closely with the Mendocino Land Trust to purchase conservation easements to limit development and protect resources through a permanent deed restriction. The Foundation is collaborating with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and others, to secure historic preservation easements for the historic sites on the property and to rehabilitate and preserve the Howard family residential buildings, the mare barn and other ranch structures. The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently designated Ridgewood Ranch as one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

   The Foundation's ultimate goal is to create a living museum by continuing Ridgewood's 150-year history as a working ranch. The Foundation is committed to develop, maintain and expand educational programs that reflect the broad cultural heritage of the Ranch, including the occupation by the Northern Pomo Indians and the development of the land as a working ranch by a succession of owners, including Charles Howard who retired his champion racehorse Seabiscuit here in 1940. The Foundation will focus on recreational and interpretive programs that will increase public access and enhance the understanding of Ridgewood Ranch as a rich historical, cultural and natural resource.

   The Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation will carry on the legacy of Charles Howard and the Golden Rule Church Association.

   Individuals interested in directly contributing to the preservation and conservation of Ridgewood Ranch should send a donation to the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation on line (Click Here) or mail checks to The Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation, c/o Ridgewood Ranch, 16200 Highway 101, Willits, CA 95460 or to the Mendocino Land Trust, Inc., Post Office Box 1094, Mendocino, CA 95460.

   Keep informed on the restoration and conservation projects as they happen at the ranch. Find out about our up- coming events and on going programs. Join or mailing list on the Stay Up To Date page.