The Jockey Club is once again offering owners and breeders the opportunity to contribute, through a voluntary checkoff program, to Thoroughbred aftercare programs at the time they register their foals in 2010. The retirement checkoff program, created in 2009, is administered by The Jockey Club, and it raises funds to assist the retirement, retraining and adoption efforts of Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF).

The Jockey Club, through its four commercial subsidiaries, donated $100,000 to each of those two charities in 2009 and will make donations for that same amount in 2010. The four companies are: The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.; The Jockey Club Technology Services Inc.; InCompass Solutions Inc.; and The Jockey Club Racing Services Inc.

“We are grateful to those who participated in the checkoff in 2009, and we hope that additional individuals and organizations will do their part this year to help ensure adequate post-racing care for Thoroughbreds,” said The Jockey Club President James L. Gagliano. “The treatment and use of racehorses at the conclusion of their racing careers should be of concern to all industry participants.”

“The checkoff is important because it provides a steady source of funding for essential TCA activities,” said TCA President Herb Moelis. “We appreciate the contributions that have been made through the checkoff, and we are grateful to The Jockey Club for maintaining the checkoff program. We hope other organizations will follow its lead and enact similar programs that benefit retirement efforts.”

“With across-the-board decreases in charitable giving, it’s more important than ever for the Thoroughbred industry to take care of its own, and we urge owners and breeders to make contributions through The Jockey Club’s checkoff program,” said Diana Pikulski, the executive director of Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

TCA raises funds and distributes grants to a variety of non-profit organizations designed to improve conditions for horses and people in the Thoroughbred industry. Funds from The Jockey Club checkoff program are directed specifically to TCA’s Thoroughbred re-training and adoption initiatives. Additional information about TCA is available at www.thoroughbredcharities.org.

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. Additional information about TRF is available at www.trfinc.org.

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. These contributions do not qualify as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

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