Jockey Club creates program to aid Thoroughbred charities

When Thoroughbred owners and breeders in North America submit their foal

registration applications on or after January 1, 2009, they will be able to

participate in a voluntary check-off program, created and administered by The

Jockey Club, which will assist two organizations that provide post-racing care

for Thoroughbreds.

The joint announcement was made today by Thoroughbred Charities of 

America (TCA), the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) and The Jockey Club.

As an incentive to encourage participation, The Jockey Club will match the

check-off on a dollar-to-dollar basis up to $200,000 in 2009. Check-off proceeds

and matching funds will be distributed to Thoroughbred Charities of America and

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

The matching funds will come from The Jockey Club's four commercial

subsidiaries: The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.; The Jockey Club

Technology Services Inc.; InCompass Solutions Inc.; and The Jockey Club Racing

Services Inc.

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 check-off program will be

directed specifically to TCA's Thoroughbred re-training 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 check-off program will be designated

specifically for the TRF's vocational training at correctional facilities.

Thoroughbred breeders will 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 will not qualify as

charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

"We applaud the efforts of these two organizations through the years to

retire, retrain and find suitable homes for Thoroughbred racehorses," said Alan

Marzelli, president of The Jockey Club. "We are confident that the creation of

this check-off program will further those efforts and encourage others to take

similar steps to ensure the well-being of our Thoroughbred athletes when their

racing careers are over."

"The check-off program will provide a tremendous boost to the TCA's racehorse

retraining and adoption efforts and we hope that all owners and breeders will

participate in it," said Herb Moelis, president of the TCA. "We are grateful to

The Jockey Club for its support and we hope other industry stakeholders do their

part."

"Today, a new door has been opened and this public recognition of our mission

provides us with a vote of confidence as we work toward industry-wide funding,"

said Diana Pikulski, executive director of the Thoroughbred Retirement

Foundation. "We are extremely thankful for The Jockey Club's endorsement."