WTBA summer yearling sale set for September 8

Auburn, WA — The yearlings for the 43rd annual Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s summer yearling sale are now in the sales barns at Emerald Downs racetrack and ready to be inspected, before being offered for sale on Tuesday, September 8, starting at 1 p.m., in the Morris Alhadeff Sales Pavilion, located at the Auburn track.

This year’s 179-head catalog features a strong cross-section of top local pedigrees mixed with first-class offerings from Kentucky, California, Oregon and Canada.

Among the offerings at the sale are full or half-siblings to such racing stars as $453,960-earner and California champion Celtic Dreamin, $534,321 stakes winner and track record-holder Outcashem, Washington Horse of the Year and $340,159-earner The Great Face, $336,492 six-time stakes winner Native Annie, $399,414 Emerald and Monmouth Park stakes winner and two-time state champion Margo’s Gift (another WTBA sale grad), three-time 2009 stakes winner Knight Raider, $473,054 stakes winner Prankster, $388,623 stakes winner Prince Alphie and many more too numerous to miss.

From a sale which has produced such outstanding stakes winners as Rings a Chime (G1 & dam of G1 winner), Tali’sluckybusride (G1), Classy Cara (G2), Collect Call (G3 and dam of 2009 G2 winner Old Fashioned), Makors Mark, Peterhof’s Patea (dam of 2009 G2 stakes winner and millionaire), Favored One, Flying With Eagles and Melanyhasthepapers to such current stars as 2-year-old standouts Hollywood Harbor and Knight Raider (each of whom is unbeaten in three stakes outings), five-time stakes winner Ladyledue, the speedy Atta Boy Roy, Canadian standout Dandy Dora, stakes winner and graded stakes-placed juvenile Smiling Tiger and multiple graded stakes-placed Yacht Spotter.

For more information, including those yearlings which have been withdrawn, contact the WTBA at (253) 288-7878 or by email at maindesk@washingtonthoroughbred.com.

Press release from Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association / September 5, 2009

TOC formalizes Santa Anita acquisition strategy

Arcadia, CA — The Thoroughbred Owners of California, a nonprofit mutual benefit corporation (“TOC”), has spearheaded the formation of a new nonprofit California public benefit corporation known as Thoroughbred Racing Association of California (“TRAC”). TRAC’s sole purpose is to acquire and operate the assets of Santa Anita Park and, if successful in acquiring Santa Anita Park, potentially purchasing the assets of Golden Gate Fields.

The parent company of Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, Magna Entertainment Corp., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 5, 2009 and is in the process of selling assets as part of a court-approved bankruptcy plan.

Santa Anita Park is widely acclaimed as one of the most prestigious Thoroughbred horse racing facilities in the world. Many of the most prominent races in the United States have been held at Santa Anita Park, including this year’s Breeders’ Cup races.

The TOC board of directors has formed an Acquisition Committee comprised of established business leaders with personal ties to the Thoroughbred racing industry. Arnold Zetcher, the former President and CEO of Talbots, Inc., serves as the Acquisition Committee’s chairperson. Other members of the committee include Brian Boudreau, owner of Malibu Valley Farms, Inc., Pete Parrella, owner of Legacy Ranch Inc., and Thoroughbred owner and breeder William de Burgh. Messrs. Zetcher, Boudreau, and Parrella sit on the board of directors of the TOC. Mr. de Burgh sits on the board of directors for the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Although the committee has been working for several months on the acquisition, the TOC felt that it was appropriate at this time to formalize the structure as the process continues. If successful in its bid, Mr. Zetcher would serve as Chairman and the members of the Acquisition Committee would serve as the interim board of directors of TRAC in order to ensure stability while a permanent board of directors is compiled.

TRAC was formed as a nonprofit entity to ensure that Thoroughbred racing is preserved in California in perpetuity. Net income will be reinvested into the racetrack(s), their operations and purses. Several leading organizations in the industry, including the California Thoroughbred Foundation, California Thoroughbred Trainers and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, have added their support to the TOC in its efforts. Additionally, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Fairplex Park and Oak Tree Racing Association, all nonprofit organizations, support the concept of establishing a nonprofit corporation to own the racetracks.

“We are trying to do what’s right, both for Thoroughbred racing in Southern California and for the employees of Santa Anita Park. We believe that acquiring Santa Anita Park is a unique opportunity to preserve the vibrancy and character of Thoroughbred racing in the State of California,” says Mr. Zetcher.

Bob Baffert, a prominent trainer and also a member of the TOC board, stated, “Santa Anita Park is essential to horse racing in California. I wholeheartedly support the efforts of Mr. Zetcher and the Acquisition Committee in its efforts to preserve quality horse racing in Southern California.”

The TOC has retained Global Leisure Partners LLC (“GLP”), a leading merger and acquisitions advisor in the gaming, leisure and entertainment industries to assist it in its acquisition of Santa Anita Park. Individuals interested in further information should contact Chris Mulligan or Rob Britton at Global Leisure Partners LLC. Messrs. Mulligan and Britton may be reached at (212) 605-7650.

Press release from Thoroughbred Owners of California / September 3, 2009

2010 foal crop projected to be smallest since 1977

Lexington, KY — The Jockey Club announced today that it is projecting a 2010 North American registered Thoroughbred foal crop of 30,000. In addition, The Jockey Club has revised its original estimate of registered foals for 2009 from 35,400 to 34,000.

The foal crop projection, traditionally announced in mid-August, is computed by using Reports of Mares Bred (RMBs) received to date for the 2009 breeding season. RMBs are to be filed by August 1 of each breeding season.

“After remaining stable for more than a decade, the number of mares bred has declined annually beginning in 2006 and the rate of that decline has accelerated in each of the last two breeding seasons,” said Matt Iuliano, The Jockey Club’s vice president of registration services. “These declines will have an obvious impact on the business in the years ahead, most notably at the racetrack, where, on average, 70% of registered foals make at least one career start.”

The 2010 foal crop is projected to be the smallest foal crop since 1977, when a comparable 30,036 foals were registered.

“We strongly encourage all stallion owners to submit their 2009 Reports of Mares Bred as soon as possible so that we can fully gauge the impact of these declines in 2009 breeding activity,” Iuliano added. “As always, we will publish this information in full as soon as a representative number of reports are in hand.”

Submission of RMBs can be accomplished quickly and easily through Interactive Registration (IR), the online service that enables registered users to perform virtually all registration-related activities over the internet.

Additional foal crop information is available in The Jockey Club’s Online Fact Book.

Press release from The Jockey Club / August 14, 2009

Couto leaves post as TOC president

Arcadia, CA — The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) board of directors announced today that it will not be renewing Drew Couto’s contract.

Couto has served as president of the TOC for the last five years; the board said it was an amicable parting of the ways.

“Drew has served the organization well during his tenure over the years,” said Marsha Naify, chair of the TOC. “We thank him for his service and wish him all the best for the future.”

The board of directors felt it was time for a change and will begin an executive search immediately to fill his position.

In the interim, Guy Lamothe, the executive vice president, will handle day-to-day operations, and Marsha Naify, board chair, will serve as Couto’s replacement on the various California boards where TOC has a voting interest.

Press release from Thoroughbred Owners of California / June 25, 2009

CHRB merges its May and June meetings on June 5

SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Horse Racing Board will hold a single meeting June 5 in place of two meetings previously scheduled for May and June. The June 5 meeting will be held in the Baldwin Terrace Room at Santa Anita Park.

The CHRB has canceled a meeting previously scheduled for May 19 at Hollywood Park, as well as a June 11 meeting that was to be held in Arcadia.

The agenda for the June 5 meeting, including the starting time, will be posted on the CHRB website through the “Board Meeting” link on or before May 25. The audio portion of the meeting will be accessible through the “Webcasts” link.

Breeders’ Cup reduces ticket prices, launches online ticketing

NEW YORK, NY — The Breeders’ Cup and Oak Tree Racing Association have announced sweeping changes to their ticket sales program, including the move to a convenient, fan-friendly online ticket seat selection and purchase system for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park, November 6-7, in Arcadia, California. The Breeders’ Cup also has reduced ticket prices across the board and will offer single and two-day ticket options throughout the facility.

Tickets will go on sale to Breeders’ Cup nominators on May 15 and to the general public beginning June 5. General Admission pricing and other ticket-based initiatives will be announced in early June.

In addition, the Breeders’ Cup will provide online travel support for fans coming to the event from outside of Southern California via a new booking website powered by Travelocity.

New features for this year are:

• Creation of an online ticket system by SeatAdvisor Box Office (SABO) allowing purchasers to view seat locations and buy tickets in a fast, efficient manner.
• Fans also will be able to purchase tickets through a Breeders’ Cup Customer Service Call Center.
• Most tickets will be unbundled, making single-day tickets available for both Championship Friday and Championship Saturday. Reserved seat patrons were required to purchase two-day packages in 2008.

Some examples of 2009 price reductions include:

• Fans will now be able to get a seat on Championship Friday for as little as $40, compared to $200 in 2008.
• Fans will now be able to get a seat on Championship Saturday for as little as $55, compared to $200 in 2008.
• Single Day prices for premium seating are reduced by 30%.

“The online ticketing system gives our fans greater flexibility and immediate access to better Breeders’ Cup tickets than they ever had before,” said Greg Avioli, Breeders’ Cup president and CEO. “We also felt it was important to recognize the current economic environment both in Southern California and around the world by reducing ticket prices from 2008 levels.”

A variety of seat choices exist, with ticket prices on Championship Friday for Reserved Grandstand ranging from $40-$235 and on Championship Saturday from $55-$335.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our guests back to Oak Tree at Santa Anita for the same experience they enjoyed last year, when the 2008 Breeders’ Cup World Championships were described as ‘the best ever in 25 years.’” said Sherwood Chillingworth, executive vice president of Oak Tree Racing Association “By virtue of a significant reduction in prices, we anticipate adding to our 2008 attendance with those who now are aware of what they missed last year.”

Press release from Breeders’ Cup Limited / May 8, 2009

The Jockey Club providing free tattoo identification services

LEXINGTON, KY — The Jockey Club announced today that it has established Tattoo Identification Services, a free resource to help owners identify tattooed but unknown Thoroughbreds in their possession.

For legible tattoos, an owner can use a free tattoo lookup feature available from The Jockey Club’s website and the Registry homepage.

For illegible tattoos or partial tattoos, customer service representatives from the Registry will provide free research of a Thoroughbred’s identity using the information contained in The Jockey Club’s database, including color, markings and photographs.

Information on procuring identification from illegible or partial tattoos as well as tips for reading lip tattoos and a list of frequently asked questions is available at www.registry.jockeyclub.com.

“We hope that Tattoo Identification Services will be a valuable tool for individuals and organizations seeking to retire, re-train and find suitable homes for Thoroughbred racehorses when their racing careers are over,” said Matt Iuliano, vice president of registration services for The Jockey Club. “We view this as an adjunct to our recently implemented check-off program, and as a service to both the horses and the people who care for them.”

On January 1, 2009, The Jockey Club instituted a voluntary check-off program enabling owners and breeders in North America to assist the retirement, re-training and adoption efforts of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and Thoroughbred Charities of America when they submit their foal registration applications.

As an incentive to encourage participation, The Jockey Club will match the check-off on a dollar-to-dollar basis up to $200,000 in 2009. Check-off proceeds and matching funds are being distributed to those two organizations on a quarterly basis, with over $100,000 distributed thus far.

Press release from The Jockey Club / April 15, 2009

Fairplex announces new equine manager: Kim Lloyd

POMONA, CA — Los Angeles County Fair officials have named Kim Lloyd to the position of Equine Manager at Fairplex. Lloyd has a long history with the equine business having served as vice president of sales at Barretts Equine Limited since 2006, a position he will retain.

His first picture in a winner’s circle was as an infant in his horse trainer grandfather’s arms. Following that lead, he has trained horses in California since 1984.

As equine manager, he will oversee the annual L.A. County Fair’s racing meet, horse shows and all training and inter track wagering operations conducted at Fairplex Park. There are more than 500 thoroughbreds and more than 60 trainers on a year-round basis utilizing Fairplex Park’s surface mixture of clay, sand and bark for early morning workouts. Satellite wagering provides for year-round wagering from tracks throughout Southern California and at locations in Northern California.

Fairplex is also home to Barretts Equine Limited. Opening in March 1990, the prestigious auction facility hosts four sales annually, attracting national and international buyers, and is the only facility of its kind west of the Mississippi. Barretts March Sale alone has sold more than 2,000 two-year-olds since its inaugural sale in 1990.

Horse racing has been an integral part of the annual Fair since 1933. It was the first track in Southern California to present pari-mutuel wagering when it was legalized in California in 1933. The L.A. County Fair horse racing meet traditionally ranks in the top 10 percent of all North American tracks in daily average handle. There are 17 stakes races featured during the 16-day meeting, full cards and a competitive jockey colony. The track has amassed a handle of $2,530,340,551 through its 70 seasons.

L.A. County Fair dates for 2009 present a first-time Labor Day weekend opening, 23 fun-filled days and nights, Saturday, Sept. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 4. Horse racing’s 16-day program will be in the spotlight Thursday, Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 28. Racing is dark Tuesdays.

Press release from Fairplex Park / March 5, 2009

CHRB calls for special meeting at Santa Anita on March 6

SACRAMENTO, CA — Given recent reports about the financial problems of Magna Entertainment Corporation (MEC), the California Horse Racing Board considers it imperative to call a special meeting to determine the financial conditions of the two MEC-owned racetracks in California — Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields — and the MEC-owned Advance Deposit Wagering Company that is licensed by the CHRB — XpressBet Inc. — and verify that funds held for the public and the horse-racing industry are fully protected.

The CHRB has issued the required 48-hour notice for a special meeting to be held Friday, March 6, in the Baldwin Terrace Room at Santa Anita Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. The agenda for this meeting is pasted below. The audio portion of the meeting can be heard through the “Webcasts” link on the CHRB website.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of the California Horse Racing Board will be held on Friday, March 6, 2009, commencing at 10:30 a.m. in the Baldwin Terrace Room at the Santa Anita Park Race Track, 285 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California.

This special meeting is being held to consider the existing applications/race meet licenses of the Los Angeles Turf Club and Pacific Racing Association wherein the two entities seek to update their present financial affairs as further detailed in the agenda below, the existing application/Advance Deposit Wagering license of XpressBet Inc., wherein the licensee seeks to update its present financial affairs as further detailed in the agenda below, and is authorized by Government Code section 11125.4, subdivision (a)(6).

AGENDA

Public Session:

1. Discussion and action by the Board regarding the race meet licenses and the Advance Deposit Wagering license granted to Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc., operating at Santa Anita Park and Pacific Racing Association, operating at Golden Gate Fields and XpressBet Inc. respectively, in light of the imminent filing for bankruptcy protection by licensees’ parent company, Magna Entertainment Corporation.
   
2. Discussion and action by the Board regarding assurances from licensees Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc., Pacific Racing Association and XpressBet Inc. that the wagering public and horse racing industry participants are financially protected in the event the licensees parent company, Magna Entertainment Corporation, files for protection under federal bankruptcy laws.
   
3. Discussion and action by the Board regarding contingency plans in the event Magna Entertainment Corporation is unable to secure “Debtor in Possession Financing”, including substitute race meet operators should licensees Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc., and Pacific Racing Association cease operations and Advance Deposit Wagering operations of XpressBet Inc. be suspended.
   
4. Public Comment: Persons addressing the Board under this item will be restricted to three (3) minutes for their presentation.

Additional information regarding this meeting may be obtained from Jacqueline Wagner at the CHRB Administrative Office, 1010 Hurley Way, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95825; telephone (916) 263-6000; fax (916) 263-6042. A copy of this notice can be located on the CHRB website. *Information for requesting disability related accommodation for persons with a disability who require aids or services in order to participate in this public meeting, should contact Jacqueline Wagner.

 
Special advisory from California Horse Racing Board / March 4, 2009

Fairplex Park welcomes Thomas Knust as racing secretary

POMONA, CA — Thomas Knust has been named racing secretary for the live racing meet held during the annual L.A. County Fair in September, announced Los Angeles County Fair Association Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mike Seder.

Knust has 35 years of experience in the Thoroughbred racing industry, most recently as a jockey agent for such racing luminaries as Kent Desormeaux, Jose Valdivia Jr., Jon Court, Corey Nakatani, Patrick Valenzuela and Clinton Potts. He has been racing secretary at Santa Anita, Oak Tree, Del Mar, Canterbury Downs and numerous fair meetings in California. He has also held positions of placing judge, patrol judge and clerk at Santa Anita Park and served as stable superintendent at both Santa Anita and Del Mar.

Among Knust’s responsibilities are developing the stakes and overnights race program for Fairplex Park, recruiting horses before and during the race meet and supervising racing office staff.

Harris elected CHRB chairman; Israel named vice chairman

ARCADIA, CA — California’s racing commissioners elected John Harris chairman of the California Horse Racing Board and they elected David Israel their new vice chairman Thursday during the monthly meeting at Santa Anita Park. The Board also addressed issues relating to medication violations, equine fatalities, injury monitoring, rebates, shoeing practices, special funds and claiming restrictions.

Chairman Harris previously served two years as chairman in 2004 and 2005, and since then he served as vice chairman. Governor Gray Davis first appointed him to the CHRB on November 9, 2000. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reappointed him to a term that expires July 26, 2011. Chairman Harris owns and operates Harris Farms, a diversified agricultural, beef, and hospitality company located in the San Joaquin Valley near Coalinga. Since 1966, the farm has been raising and training thoroughbreds on what is now a 400-acre division. Multiple Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow was raised at Harris Farms. Their most successful campaigner, in partnership with Don Valpredo, was the Cal-bred Soviet Problem, who was named California Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in 1993 and California Horse of the Year in 1994. He also bred and raced California Champion Work the Crowd with the late Senator Ken Maddy. Chairman Harris is a member and past steward of The Jockey Club. He was elected a director of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association in 1974, served as the organization’s legislative chairman for 20 years, and was twice elected CTBA president. He also has served on the boards of the Breeders’ Cup, Thoroughbred Owners of California, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Board, and the Center for Equine Health/UC Davis Advisory Board. He currently serves on the boards of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, Western Growers Association, California Cattlemen’s Association, and Pacific Legal Foundation.

Vice Chairman Israel was appointed to the CHRB by Governor Schwarzenegger on July 9, 2008. He also was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to the board of directors of the California Science Center in 2005. He currently serves as one of the governor’s appointees on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission and recently concluded a one-year term as president of that body. He served three years on the board of directors of the California Governor’s and First Lady’s Conference on Women. Vice Chairman Israel has been a writer and producer of many television series and movies, including “Midnight Caller,” “The Untouchables,” “Tremors,” “Turks,” “Fast Copy,” “Crimes of the Century,” “Bay City Blues,” “Jake Lassiter: Justice on the Bayou,” “The Port Chicago Mutiny,” “Pandora’s Clock,” “House of Frankenstein,” “Y2K,” and “Monday Night Football.” He served as director in the office of the president for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee in 1984 under Peter V. Ueberroth. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, he was a reporter and syndicated columnist for the Chicago Daily News, Washington Star, Chicago Tribune, and Los Angeles Herald Examiner. His magazine articles have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Playboy, Sport, and California. As a sports columnist, he often wrote about horse racing, and covered the Triple Crown campaigns of Seattle Slew and Affirmed.

CHRB Chairman Richard Shapiro announces resignation

SACRAMENTO, CA — Richard Shapiro, a member of the California Horse Racing Board since October 14, 2004, chairman of the board for the last three years, and recently reappointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to a new four-year term, unexpectedly announced his resignation during the monthly board meeting Monday at Santa Anita Park.

"I have been honored and gratified that the governor appointed me to this position and has reappointed me and encouraged me to continue for another four years", Shapiro read from a prepared statement. "But the time has come for me to leave the board. Let me be very clear: This decision is mine and mine alone. No one has asked me to do this; to the contrary, I have been asked to stay. But this is a personal decision I have pondered for many months and I have decided it is time for me to move on".

"Following today’s meeting, I will be submitting my letter of resignation to the governor’s office effective tomorrow, December 16," he said.

CHRB Vice Chairman John Harris said he was saddened by the news.

"Richard has been an inspiration; he is the best chairman I can recall," Harris said. “He has worked tirelessly for the industry."

As the meeting progressed, speaker after speaker thanked Shapiro for his many contributions and acknowledged the countless hours he has donated in public service working for the betterment of horse racing. Service on the CHRB is voluntary. Commissioners receive a per diem of $100 for attendance at meetings.

Hard work has been the chairman’s trademark since his initial appointment in 2004, when he pushed to strengthen drug testing and enforcement efforts, tackled tough financial integrity issues involving jockey health and welfare benefits and familiarized himself with California horse racing operations. Industry leaders, CHRB executives and employees, stewards and others with background knowledge became used to receiving emails early in the morning and late at night asking them to explain some particular law, regulation, program, policy or procedure.

One of his first acts as chairman in 2006 was to acknowledge and address the unacceptable number of catastrophic injuries to horses racing in California. As a first step, he led the push for the installation of synthetic surfaces at the major Thoroughbred racetracks in the state. And given the possible closures of Bay Meadows and Hollywood Park, he formed a strategic planning committee and urged the industry to develop both short-term and long-range plans for the possible transfer of racing and stabling to other locations.

The list of critical matters receiving his intense personal attention included stricter penalties for medication violations, reform of the Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) program, restructuring of the California racing calendar, particularly the Northern California fairs, and through his participation in national organizations, addressing racehorse safety matters and other critical issues facing all racing jurisdictions in North America.

"Over the last four years, I believe the board has been progressive and worked hard in a variety of aspects to improve the state of racing in California," Shapiro said. "Some of our good intentions have in fact proved beneficial, and in spite of our best efforts, some have not panned out as well as we would have wished. But none of our efforts were done without the sole desire of supporting the industry, the game and trying to improve the state of racing in California."

Voluntary check-off program to benefit retired Thoroughbreds

LEXINGTON, KY — When Thoroughbred owners and breeders in North America submit their foal registration applications on or after January 1, 2009, they will be able to participate in a voluntary check-off program, created and administered by The Jockey Club, which will assist two organizations that provide post-racing care for Thoroughbreds.

The joint announcement was made today by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) and The Jockey Club.

As an incentive to encourage participation, The Jockey Club will match the check-off on a dollar-to-dollar basis up to $200,000 in 2009. Check-off proceeds and matching funds will be distributed to Thoroughbred Charities of America and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

The matching funds will come from The Jockey Club’s four commercial subsidiaries: The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc., The Jockey Club Technology Services Inc., InCompass Solutions Inc. and The Jockey Club Racing Services Inc.

TCA raises funds and distributes grants to a variety of non-profit organizations designed to improve conditions for horses and people in the Thoroughbred industry. Funds from The Jockey Club check-off program will be directed specifically to TCA’s Thoroughbred re-training and adoption initiatives.

Founded in 1983, the TRF is dedicated to providing humane retirement options for Thoroughbreds at the end of their racing careers and it operates vocational training in equine care for inmates at nine correctional facilities around the country. Funds from The Jockey Club check-off program will be designated specifically for the TRF’s vocational training at correctional facilities.

Thoroughbred breeders will have the option of selecting one of four graduated amounts ($25, $50, $75 or $100) to be designated for these Thoroughbred after-care programs, or they can fill in the amount of their choice on the Application for Foal Registration form. These contributions will not qualify as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

“We applaud the efforts of these two organizations through the years to retire, retrain and find suitable homes for Thoroughbred racehorses,” said Alan Marzelli, president of The Jockey Club. “We are confident that the creation of this check-off program will further those efforts and encourage others to take similar steps to ensure the well-being of our Thoroughbred athletes when their racing careers are over.”

“The check-off program will provide a tremendous boost to the TCA’s racehorse retraining and adoption efforts and we hope that all owners and breeders will participate in it,” said Herb Moelis, president of the TCA. “We are grateful to The Jockey Club for its support and we hope other industry stakeholders do their part.”

“Today, a new door has been opened and this public recognition of our mission provides us with a vote of confidence as we work toward industrywide funding,” said Diana Pikulski, executive director of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. “We are extremely thankful for The Jockey Club’s endorsement.”

TCA is a 501(c)(3) fundraising organization which distributes annual grants to non-profits within their mission. The five sectors which TCA grants funds to are: Thoroughbred rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, adoption, retirement and euthanasia; backstretch workers; equine educational organizations; therapeutic riding programs; and research into equine diseases and ailments.

The TRF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to retiring Thoroughbred racehorses after they are finished racing. In addition to its programs at correctional facilities, TRF operates retraining and adoption facilities and satellite farms across the country and currently maintains approximately 1,800 horses.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms, among others.

Press release from The Jockey Club, Thoroughbred Charities of America &
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation / November 11, 2008