Churchill Downs Presents $50,000 Matching Donation To Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

Sep 16, 2009 John Asher

Churchill Downs has presented the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (“TRF”) with a check for $50,000, a total that matches contributions to the equine retirement organization made through the new Safety Center established as part of a wide-ranging set of safety initiatives announced earlier this year at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
    
    The donations were made through the track’s Safety Center, an interactive multi-media display of safety measures for horses and humans at the track that was installed at Gate 17 as one facet of its “Safety from Start to Finish” initiatives unveiled in March.  Churchill Downs pledged to match the first $50,000 donated to TRF through the Safety Center.  That total of TRF contributions through the Churchill Downs Safety Center was achieved by the end of July, thanks largely to a total of $26,000 in contributions by Susan and John Moore of M & M Stable of Far Hills, N.J.

    “We are very happy to support the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation,” said John Moore, who is in Lexington this week to attend the September Yearling Sale at Keeneland.  “The TRF is the best charity in the United States.”

    The check for $50,000 in matching funds was presented to Diana Pikulski, executive director of the TRF, by Jim Gates, who oversaw the development and implementation of the “Safety from Start to Finish” initiatives while he served as general manager of Churchill Downs; and Director of Community Relations Dana Johnson.

    “Our ‘Safety from Start to Finish’ initiatives focused on equine safety concerns prior to and during races at Churchill Downs, but also focused on post-race issues and the quality of life for Thoroughbreds after their racing careers reached their conclusion,” said Churchill Downs Incorporated President and Chief Executive Office Bob Evans.  “The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has been at the forefront of racehorse retirement efforts in the United States and we have worked with this wonderful organization several times through the years.  Churchill Downs is pleased to join fans who have contributed through our track’s Safety Center to further the wonderful work of the TRF.”

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.  Today the TRF is the world's largest, best known and most respected charitable organization devoted to equine rescue.

The TRF is a registered 501 © 3 non-profit organization which relies entirely on charitable donations to fund its various rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and retirement programs.  All contributions are tax deductible.  For more information, contact the TRF at (732) 957-0182 or [email protected].