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 checkoff 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 checkoff on a dollar-to-dollar basis up to $200,000 in 2009. Checkoff 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 checkoff 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 checkoff 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 checkoff 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 checkoff 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 industrywide funding,” said Diana Pikulski, executive director of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. “We are extremely thankful for The Jockey Club’s endorsement.”

TCA is a 501(c)(3) fund-raising organization which distributes annual grants to non-profits within their mission. The five sectors which TCA grants funds to are: Thoroughbred rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, adoption, retirement and euthanasia; backstretch workers; equine educational organizations; therapeutic riding programs; and research into equine diseases and ailments. Additional information is available at www.thoroughbredcharities.org.

The TRF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to retiring Thoroughbred racehorses after they are finished racing. In addition to its programs at correctional facilities, TRF operates retraining and adoption facilities and satellite farms across the country and currently maintains approximately 1,800 horses. Additional information is available at www.trfinc.org.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms, among others. Additional information is available at http://www.jockeyclub.com.