LEXINGTON, Ky. – Thoroughbred Charities of America has announced Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program (OTRP) as the July recipient of its Award of Merit. Launched in January, in celebration of its 25th anniversary, TCA has honored nearly 20 recipients throughout the year. Recipients are nominated by the leadership of various state Thoroughbred owners and breeders associations and honored at their annual awards ceremonies.
On July 31 representatives of OTRP were acknowledged with the Award of Merit at the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma’s Awards Banquet in Oklahoma City.
Started in 2007, the OTRP is a nonprofit organization that works to transition non-competitive Thoroughbreds from the racetrack into new careers through rehabilitation and retraining. OTRP also provides permanent sanctuary for horses not suitable for adoption.
Award of Merit nominees consist of individuals or organizations working to provide a better life for Thoroughbreds or the people who care for them. Both achievements are reflective of TCA’s all encompassing mission to help Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them on the backstretch and the farm.
Other recipients honored earlier this year include Kip Elser, Elizabeth MacDonald, Equine Encore Foundation, Russ Rhone, Bowman Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption, Emerald Downs’ the Prodigious Fund, Amy Tarrant, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, Dennis Miller, Hope After Racing (H.A.R.T.), Anne Tucker, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Steuart Pittman and the Retired Racehorse Project, Turning for Home, Lonestar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (L.O.P.E.) and the Louisiana Horse Rescue Association.
Subsequent award winners will be announced monthly.
TCA was formed in 1990 to raise and distribute funds for charities in the Thoroughbred industry which provide a better life for Thoroughbreds both during and after their racing careers by supporting repurposing and retirement organizations and by helping the people who care for them. Over the last 25 years TCA has distributed over $21 million in grants to more than 200 Thoroughbred-related organizations. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).
