I'm trying to rescue a race horse

[DerbyCat]

I just found out that one of my favorite race horses is now running at Fonner Park after injuring his "ankle" before he left California (his owner sold him and shipped him to Arizona) - he really shouldn't be running at all, he's got bone chips, but this will be his second race since that injury. Mentally I've made the commitment that I need to buy him so he can retire... it's everything after the purchase that I'm confused about.

First, here's a little about him - he's a 4 year old gelding who had a couple wins early in his career but he really isn't very good. He is one of the sweetest horses I've ever met, always happy to see you in the barn, will nuzzle up into your neck when you're giving him a scratch and when you try to leave him he looks at you with puppy dog like eyes that say "where are you going? Wouldn't you rather stay with me?" He's the only race horse that I've seen look at the camera and smile in the winners circle (he did it twice!). He's just the kind of horse you get attached to once you've met him.

I spoke with my trainer (it was in his barn that I first met this amazing horse) and he said he doesn't have any connections in Nebraska to claim him so he recommended I try to do a private purchase from the trainer. I'm pretty sure I can navigate my way through that and I can probably even get him shipped out of Nebraska - but what do I do after that? I contacted a local horse rescue group, but they're full and couldn't give me a lot of guidance. I know I've got to get him retrained before I find him a new home (I may have a couple possibilities there) but how do I get that done? How long does that take?

I know I'm rambling here, and this won't interest most folks but those of you that may have advice or recommendations I would greatly appreciate any words of wisdom you might have. I just made up my mind today that I need to do this, right now I'm in the process of figuring out how to make it work.

Thanks,
DC