BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

TRF Retraining Program Funded by Foundation

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has partnered with the Harriet E. Pfleger Foundation and several New York racing organizations to create a program to retrain up to 100 Thoroughbreds per year from New York tracks.

TRF Plans to Relocate 600 Horses to Ranch

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation announced Jan. 26 that it signed a non-binding letter of intent to relocate as many as 600 horses to a 45,000-acre ranch in Colorado owned by Tom McKenna.

New York Breeders Donate $10,000 to TRF

The board of directors of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders has voted to donate $10,000 to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Saylor Issues Challenge to Benefit TRF

Thoroughbred owner and breeder Paul Saylor has issued a matching gift challenge to benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

NYTB Donates $10,000 to the TRF

The board of directors of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders voted to donate $10,000 to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

TRF Alleges Libel, Slander in Mellon Lawsuit

The soured relationship between the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and a key benefactor, the Paul Mellon Estate, withered further Jan. 5 when the TRF sued an executor of the endowment for libel and slander.

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Tabs Lakow

Michael Lakow will take over as the chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, it was announced in a statement released Dec. 7.

Lakow Elected to TRF Board

Michael Lakow unanimously has been elected to the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

TRF Issues Plea For Foster Care Partners

Rob Hinkle, president and CEO of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Oct. 27, issued an urgent plea to horse lovers and farm owners throughout the United States to participate in the Foster Care program.

TRF Benefit Raises About $500,000 for Cause

Organizers of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation gala held Aug. 7 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., said the event raised about $500,000 through ticket sales and an auction of stallion seasons and travel packages.

Checkoff Program Now Tax Deductible

Contributions by owners and breeders to The Jockey Club's retirement checkoff program in support of Thoroughbred aftercare now qualify as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

Retirement Donations Now Tax Deductible

Contributions by owners and breeders to The Jockey Club's retirement checkoff program in support of Thoroughbred aftercare now qualify as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

TRF Forms National Equine Vet Alliance

The Alliance consists of professionals who have agreed to provide pro bono veterinary care to Thoroughbred ex-racehorses from non-profit organizations that have been registered with, and approved by, the TRF.

Stronach to Receive Award from TRF

Adena Springs Farm owner Frank Stronach has been selected to receive the inaugural Earle I. Mack Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Champion Award.

New CEO at Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation announced May 10 that Rob Hinkle has been named Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Oliva Saylor Memorial Fund to Support TRF

Thoroughbred owner Paul Saylor has chosen to designate the funds donated to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in memory of his daughter, Olivia, to the care and maintenance of the TRF's retired horses with special needs.

TRF Should Redefine Its Mission

It is truly stunning that the TRF still has no humane euthanasia policy.

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TRF Chairman Ludt Issues Statement

The chairman of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation issued a statement March 29, saying that the organization takes responsibility for retired horses that previously have been rejected by other organizations.

Crunching Numbers - Eric Mitchell

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is caught in a vicious cycle. Racetracks' and horsemen's associations are looking for reasons to avoid paying dues to the marketing/lobbying arm of the industry.

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Jockey Club Continues Support for TRF

The Jockey Club has pledged its continued support for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the country's largest equine retirement program that has come under scrutiny over the past week.

TRF Leadership Defends Organization

Leadership of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation on March 18 defended the organization from allegations of neglect among some horses under the care of the equine retirement program.

TRF Restructures; Taylor Appointed CEO

As part of a restructuring, Thoroughbred owner-breeder Larry Taylor has been appointed chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

TRF Founder Koehler to Get Special Eclipse

Monique Koehler, known for her tireless work saving retired racehorses through Thoroughbred retirement programs, will be recognized with the 2009 Special Eclipse Award, it was announced Dec. 30.

TRF Fundraiser Set for Colonial Downs

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at James River will hold "An Evening in the Winner's Circle" July 17 at Colonial Downs racetrack in New Kent County. The event is a fundraiser to benefit Greener Pastures at James River, a Second Chances program of the TRF.

Industry Groups Pledge Support to TRF

The New York Racing Association and many members of the Jockeys' Guild who ride at its three racetracks, along with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and The Jockey Club, have jointly pledged more than $100,000 in financial support in 2009 to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation,

Eight Belles' Gift to Seabiscuit Author

From even the greatest tragedy can come good. Eight Belles' death no doubt will be a catalyst for Thoroughbred racing to provide better safety for the horses. For Laura Hillenbrand, author of the classic book, "Seabiscuit," the filly's death would have a profound effect not only on her, but a 9-year-old gelding named Rudster.

Paulick Joins TRF Board of Directors

Ray Paulick, editor-in-chief of The Blood-Horse, has been elected to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's board of directors.

New York Trainers 'Pony-Up' for TRF

New York- based trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, Gary Contessa and John Kimmel are the latest horsemen to sign up for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Pony-Up Program, a new TRF fundraising initiative designed to spread the financial responsibilities of caring for retired racehorses across the training community, while taxing horsemen only when they have reaped the benefits of a win.

Questions Arise at Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation as Board Members Leave

Several members have recently left the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's board of directors, exits that parallel allegations that leadership dissension and financial struggles are plaguing the non-profit organization.

Florida Derby Suite to be Auctioned for TRF Feb. 2

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will be taking phone bids Feb. 2 for a day at the races in a third floor suite donated by Gulfstream Park for the 56th running of the $1,000,000 Florida Derby (gr. I) on March 31.

Champion Bowl Game Dead

Bowl Game, the champion turf male of 1979 who was believed to be the oldest living Eclipse Award winner, was euthanized due to the infirmities of old age Nov. 10 at the age of 32. Under the care of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation since 1998, he had been living at the Paeonian Springs, Va., farm of TRF President Johnathan Miller.

Gallagher's Steak House to Host Benefit Gala; 'Canvas Of Stars' By 'Peb' To Be Unveiled

Pierre Bellocq, the renowned racing artist known as "Peb" and Marlene Brody, owner of Gallagher's Steak House, will be joined by celebrities from the racing world, sports, and entertainment at a benefit gala Nov. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. EST at Gallagher's in New York City.

TRF Annual Gala Raises More Than $500,000

Thanks in large part to the $58,000 celebrity chef Bobby Flay spent on options to breed to two of the sport's top stallions, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation raised in excess of $500,000 Aug. 7 at its annual gala at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club.

Two Retired Horses Go Home Under TRF Program

Two retired Thoroughbreds are among the first Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation horses set to return to their birthplaces under a TRF initiative to include breeders in the care and expenditures involved in taking care of the more than 1,300 retired horses under the organization's care.

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Goes to the Source

Fred Winters, operations director for the Lexington-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, spoke to members of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Manager's Club Tuesday about the plight of some 1,100 former racehorses in need of adoption.

TRF Saratoga Fundraiser Sets Record

With the horse racing industry responding to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's need to care for a rapidly increasing population of retirees--now numbering 1,037--the charity raised $629,000 at its annual fundraiser Monday night at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

McCarron Chooses TRF Retirees for Racing Academy

Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron has entered into an agreement with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to supply horses for the North American Racing Academy, a riding school McCarron plans to open later this year.

Jockeys Sport TRF Logo

Midwestern-based jockeys Brian Hernandez Jr., a leading candidate for an Eclipse Award as the nation's outstanding apprentice, and Justin Shepherd have agreed to wear the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's logo on their pants.

TRF Gala Raises $425,000

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's sixth annual fund-raising party held Monday night at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club exceeded all expectations as 450 guests attended for a chance to bid on unique experiences and stallion seasons while helping out a good cause. The event raised $425,000.

TRF Gala Raises Record $425,000

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's sixth annual fund-raisin party held Monday night at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club exceeded al expectations as 450 guests attended for a chance to bid on unique experiences, stallion seasons, not to mention helping a good cause while having a great time.

'Pasture Party' at Churchill Raises $67,000 for TRF

For the third year in a row, Churchill Downs Inc. hosted the "Out To Pasture "Party, a benefit for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. More than $67,000 was raised for the organization.

Team Smarty to Party at Churchill Downs for TRF

Smarty Jones' breeder/owners Roy and Patricia Chapman and trainer John Servis will not only celebrate their Kentucky Derby (gr. I) victory at Churchill Downs on Saturday, they'll also be supporting a good cause as they attend the third annual "Out to Pasture" Party.

Racing Fan Bequeths $900,000 to TRF

By all accounts, Barbara Dege was a quiet, private woman who lived a simple life. But she had one great passion, and it was horse racing and the animals who provided her with enjoyment on her trips to handicap and make small bets at Belmont, Aqueduct, and the Meadowlands.

Whitney Pledges $50,000 to Secretariat Center

Mary Lou Whitney has donated an additional $50,000 to help fund the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Secretariat Center at the Kentucky Horse Park.

TRF Names Winters as Operations Director

Fred Winters, former president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club, a longtime farm manager at several prominent Lexington-area farms and a partner in Equine Farm Management Inc., was named the Director of Operations of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Jan. 23.

Stuart Honored by Thoroughred Retirement Foundation

John Stuart, who served as president of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation from 1998 until this summer, was honored Nov 15 with the TRF Champions Award.

Forego Fund Established by TRF

Martha Gerry, who raced champion Forego, has helped the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation establish a fund in his name to help feed the more than 600 horses currently being cared for by the program.

Terence Collier Named TRF President

Terence Collier was unanimously named president of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation by the organization's board of directors. Collier, the director of marketing and sales announcer for Fasig-Tipton, succeeds John Stuart.

TRF Saratoga Gala Raises More Than $500,000

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation raised more than $500,000 at its annual gala, held Monday. Aug. 4, at the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club. The bulk of the money, a record amount for the event, was raised through separate live auctions, one for season options to breed to select stallions, the other for "unique experiences."

Saratoga Auction to Benefit TRF Set for Monday

Stallion seasons and an intriguing list of "life experiences" will be auctioned at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club Monday night as a fundraiser for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.