The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association has become the sixth founding member of the Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), with the two organizations announcing Friday they plan to pool resources in areas of shared priorities, including working together with other Thoroughbred industry leaders, in new owner development and retention programs.
TOBA had previously joined with the NTRA and Keeneland Association to form TheGreatestGame.com, a joint program aimed at identifying, recruiting and retaining new owners for Thoroughbred racing. TheGreatestGame.com’s ownership recruitment and retention effort will include consumer research, marketing, advertising, television and an interactive Website.
"Owners and breeders have a clear stake in the success of the NTRA, which in our view is tied directly to the future progress of the industry," said TOBA chairman Stuart Janney III. "We are pleased to support the NTRA in this way and to work together to bring new participants into racing and breeding."
Friday’s announcement said TOBA is making a substantial financial pledge to the NTRA, payable over several years.
"TOBA is a welcome and fitting addition to the NTRA's roster of founding members," said NTRA commissioner Tim Smith. "The area of new owner recruitment is an important priority for our industry. The impact on everything from field size to breeding economics can improve if a substantial number of new owners could be created through increased communications and marketing."
"With the NTRA's broad range of marketing resources to promote Thoroughbred
ownership, we felt this was a natural step to further the goals of both
organizations," said TOBA president Dan Metzger.
Other NTRA founding members are Breeders' Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, Keeneland
Association, Oak Tree Racing Association, and the National Thoroughbred Association. The NTA became part of TOBA in 1998. Currently, owner and breeder Robert Clay represents TOBA/NTA on the NTRA Board of Directors.
