SIA subcommittee to focus on retired Thoroughbreds

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced Thursday that

the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance has formed a special subcommittee

focusing on aftercare of retired Thoroughbreds.

The goal of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance Subcommittee on Aftercare

is to work toward a national solution to issues surrounding retired Thoroughbred

racehorses, including enhancement of aftercare funding and improvement of

compliance and best-practice standards for racetracks and other industry

participants.

"Our aim is to bring together the many outstanding leaders who do so much on

behalf of our retired equine athletes," said Mike Ziegler, executive director of

the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. "Through cohesiveness and cooperation

among all parties, we think we can create a model that can make it easier for

racetracks, owners and others to provide retired Thoroughbreds with a happy and

productive life after their racetrack days are over."

The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance initially focused on human and equine

safety, but will be expanded to cover additional areas, including wagering

security.