Stronach launches Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care
Program
Frank Stronach, chairman and CEO of MI Developments Inc., on Thursday
announced the formation of the Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program.
An industry leader in the retraining and rehabilitation of Thoroughbred race
horses and an advocate and supporter of several retirement programs, Stronach
said the After-Care Program will help match horses with loving owners who will
make a lifelong commitment to their health, safety and well being.
Stronach said he will seed the After-Care Program by matching the money
currently taken from purses (one-third of 1 percent) at Gulfstream and
distributed to retirement programs by the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent &
Protective Association (FHBPA).
“This is not a solution to the problem, but we feel it is another step in the
right direction,” Stronach said. “While we believe it is the responsibility of
every owner to find safe, after-race programs for all Thoroughbreds, we also
believe in taking the initiative to develop retirement, rehabilitation and
retraining programs for these equine athletes who give so much to all of us.”
Stronach set an industry precedent seven years ago by developing the first
in-house retirement program, Adena Retirement. Under the direction of a
full-time, in-house staff of professional trainers, riders, grooms and
veterinarians, Adena Retirement carefully evaluates and retrains horses owned by
the Stronach family and Adena Springs before matching them with owners who will
provide suitable lifelong adoptive homes. Many of the horses retrained at Adena
Retirement have flourished in other disciplines, including hunter, jumper,
dressage and pleasure.
The Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program will be directed by a
committee: Michael Rogers, director & vice president of operations, Gulfstream; Tim Ritvo,
vice president of racing, East Coast, MI Developments Inc; Stacie Clark,
Adena Retirement; Dan Bork, racing secretary, Gulfstream; Nicola Kuzoff,
Adena Retirement.
The committee will outline the board’s responsibilities and procedures in a
constitution. There will be an application process for Florida Thoroughbred
Charities with 501c status. Applications will be voted on by the committee and
funds distributed accordingly.
“This program shows that Mr. Stronach is a strong supporter of these fine
athletes after their careers on the track are over,” Ritvo said. “He still
believes the owners are mainly responsible for their own horses, but he’s always
willing to contribute toward the betterment of the horse industry.”