Oak Tree Donates $100,000 to University of Arizona RTIP

The Oak Tree Racing Association has contributed $100,000 to the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program to help endow a proposed faculty chair to conduct business industry research and head the RTIP's masters degree program.

"We've been financially supportive of the RTIP for a long time because we think they do an excellent job for the horse racing industry," said Oak Tree executive vice president Sherwood Chillingworth. "We give a lot of money for horse-related activities, principally involving the health of the horse and the health of the people who take care of the horses. We look at this endowment as something that will study the health of the business side of the racing industry."

The chair requires an endowment of $1.5 million to become a reality and will be based in the university's Department of Animal Sciences with access to research collaboration from the university's Eller School of Business.

Earlier in February, the RTIP received an initial $100,000 donation from Youbet.com Inc., a leading Internet provider of Thoroughbred, American Quarter Horse, and harness racing content.

The University has pledged to provide matching funds to support the annual cost of the professorship.

"We are really pleased with the support that Oak Tree has pledged to our effort," said RTIP director Doug Reed. "Having their input and support will be helpful as we move forward in our efforts to make the research relevant and applicable to industry leaders."