Frank Stronach announced Feb. 17 the formation of the Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program.
Stronach, chairman and CEO of MI Developments., parent company of Gulfstream, said the After-Care Program will help match horses with loving owners who will make a lifelong commitment to their health, safety and well being.
Stronach said he will fund the After-Care Program by matching the money currently taken from purses (one-third of 1%) at Gulfstream and distributed to retirement programs by the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (FHBPA).
“This is not a solution to the problem, but we feel it is another step in the right direction,” Stronach said. “While we believe it is the responsibility of every owner to find safe, after-race programs for all Thoroughbreds, we also believe in taking the initiative to develop retirement, rehabilitation and, retraining programs for these equine athletes who give so much to all of us.”
The Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program will be directed by a committee: Michael Rogers, director & vice president of operations, Gulfstream Park; Tim Ritvo, VP of racing, East Coast, MI Developments; Stacie Clark, Adena Retirement; Dan Bork, racing secretary, Gulfstream Park; Nicola Kuzoff, Adena Retirement.
The committee will outline the board’s responsibilities and procedures in a constitution. There will be an application process for Florida Thoroughbred Charities with 501c status. Applications will be voted on by the committee and funds distributed accordingly.
