The Jockey Club has announced renewal of the retirement checkoff program that enables owners and breeders to support Thoroughbred aftercare programs at the time they register their foals in 2011.
In conjunction with renewal of the program, The Jockey Club will once donate $100,000 to each of the program’s two beneficiaries--Thoroughbred Charities of America and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
Since the inception of the program in 2009, The Jockey Club and its subsidiaries have contributed $300,000 to both TCA and TRF, including the 2011 contributions. TJC’s subsidiaries are The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc., The Jockey Club Technology Services Inc., InCompass Solutions Inc. and The Jockey Club Racing Services Inc.
“Many Thoroughbreds can be retired to a supportive home or transitioned into a productive post-racing career, and we encourage all owners and breeders to consider making a contribution through our retirement checkoff program when they register their foals this year,” said TJC president James L. Gagliano.
“We are grateful not only to The Jockey Club for instituting this program and for its support of the Thoroughbred Charities of America, but also to all the breeders who are doing their part in providing care for former racehorses,” said Dan Rosenberg, president of TCA. “Today, it is more important than ever that we as an industry recognize our responsibility to care for horses when their racing and breeding careers have ended.”
“Our correctional-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation facilities are the mainstay of the TRF program, and the contributions from owners, breeders and The Jockey Club are vital in maintaining it,” said Diana Pikulski, executive director of the TRF.
TCA raises funds and distributes grants to a variety of non-profit organizations dedicated to improving conditions for horses and people in the Thoroughbred industry. Funds from The Jockey Club checkoff program are directed specifically to TCA’s Thoroughbred retraining 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 are designated specifically for the TRF’s vocational training at correctional facilities.
The retirement checkoff program is administered by The Jockey Club. Thoroughbred breeders have the option of selecting one of four graduated amounts ($25, $50, $75, or $100) to be designated for these Thoroughbred aftercare programs or they can fill in the amount of their choice on the Application for Foal Registration form.
