The Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (Kentucky HBPA), which represents Thoroughbred racehorse owners and trainers at the Commonwealth’s five racetracks, teamed with Kentucky Downs to present $100,000 checks apiece to three industry non-profit organizations during Saturday’s showcase card.
The checks will provide funding to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Stable Recovery and the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund. The Kentucky HBPA and Kentucky Downs both provided $50,000 for each of the checks. The horsemen’s association and Kentucky Downs gave a check for $100,000 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund in April at Keeneland during the annual PDJF telethon on FanDuel TV.
The Kentucky Downs check presentations were included in FanDuel TV's coverage of the high-profile stakes on the Saturday program.
“These organizations support the heartbeat of the horse-racing industry: our horses and our workers,” said Kentucky HBPA president Dale Romans. “After we teamed with Kentucky Downs to donate to the PDJF, our horsemen were interested in also supporting other industry non-profits with important roles and reach. Kentucky Downs was in complete agreement. It’s the right thing to do, and we wanted to make the donations on a huge day of racing to provide awareness for these vital organizations and encourage others to donate.
“The TAA helps ensure our retired racehorses have healthy and safe forever homes. The Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund helps pay medical expenses for backstretch workers and horsemen when there is little or no insurance. Given that most of the fund’s money has come from uncashed pari-mutuel tickets, which online betting has almost eliminated, their need is greater than ever. Stable Recovery is especially near to my heart, having dealt with my own alcohol issues.”
Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
The brainchild of Starlight Racing’s Jack Wolf of Louisville, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Since 2012, the TAA has granted more than $36.04 million to accredited aftercare organizations and 18,500 Thoroughbreds have been retrained, rehomed or retired by accredited organizations. Currently, 83 organizations with approximately 175 facilities hold TAA accreditation. Emily Dresen, director of funding and events, accepted the check on behalf of the TAA.
Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund
The Kentucky Racing Health & Welfare Fund Inc. is a charitable, non-profit organization that helps certain eligible individuals in the Kentucky Thoroughbred racing industry who demonstrate need. The fund has surpassed $50 million in total health benefits paid out since its 1978 inception. While not insurance, the fund provides benefits for off-the-job injuries and illnesses that are not covered by welfare plans, worker’s compensation, social security, public welfare, military benefits, veterans benefits or any other type of health, medical, dental or accident insurance. Deputy executive director Karen Pehlke accepted the check on behalf of the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund.
Stable Recovery
Stable Recovery was created to help individuals overcome addiction, stay sober and rebuild their lives and purpose. Founded by Christian Countzler and Taylor Made Farm’s Frank Taylor, who traveled their own roads to recovery, Stable Recovery is a peer-driven therapeutic community and residential program with a focus on equine-related employment opportunities. Stable Recovery is built on the belief that true recovery takes accountability, structure, discipline and responsibility. The goal is lasting transformation while equipping residents with the tools, values, life skills and support they need to thrive beyond addiction. With strong partnerships in the Thoroughbred industry, the program connects its graduates with reliable employment and long-term stability. Chief operating officer Colette Becker accepted the check on behalf of Stable Recovery.
“The HBPA’s well-known motto is horsemen helping horsemen,” said Alex Foley, the Kentucky HBPA executive director. “By extension, that’s also horsemen helping horses, because the horses ultimately take care of all of us. Thanks to the wisdom and foresight of our General Assembly to allow the racehorse industry to invest in itself and our racetrack communities through historical horse racing, the Kentucky HBPA is in position to partner with Kentucky Downs to provide some much-needed funding to help these important organizations do their good works.”
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