Retired Racehorses Get Some Financial Help

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 “checkoff program,” created and administered by The Jockey Club, which will assist two Thoroughbred rescue non-profits that provide post-racing care for Thoroughbreds: Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF).

Thoroughbred breeders will have the option of selecting one of four checkoff amounts ($25, $50, $75, or $100) to be designated for these post-racing career 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.

As an incentive to encourage participation, The Jockey Club will match the checkoff on a dollar-to-dollar basis up to $200,000 in 2009. Checkoff 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 checkoff 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 checkoff program will be designated specifically for the TRF’s vocational training at correctional facilities.

“The checkoff 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 industry-wide funding,” said Diana Pikulski, executive director of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. “We are extremely thankful for The Jockey Club’s endorsement.”

Learn what else the TRF has done to help retired racehorses here.