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Barbaro Memorial Fund to focus on laminitis |
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Written by Gohorsepower.com
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Thursday, 01 February 2007 |
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced on February first that NTRA Charities will lead the Barbaro Memorial Fund.
The fund in honor of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro will help raise awareness and money for research into equine health and safety. Particular focus of the research will be on laminitis, the painful and frequently fatal hoof disease that Barbaro denied his life for several months, and that strikes hundreds of horses every day.
“The outpouring of emotion and support from racing fans has been so amazing that we wanted to find a fitting way for those fans and our industry to honor Barbaro,” said Alex Waldrop, CEO of the NTRA. “We consulted with the Jacksons and other industry organizations to see how we could bring our combined resources to bear in this endeavor. We anticipate a busy few months as we work together to assist projects that can have a great impact on the health and safety of Thoroughbreds and, through our focus on laminitis, horses of other breeds as well."
The NTRA's nonprofit 501 (c) (3) subsidiary, NTRA Charities, will see that 100 percent of the funds raised by The Barbaro Memorial Fund be distributed to existing equine health charities like the Laminitis Fund established at the University of Pennsylvania, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, and other industry charities focused on laminitis research.
The NTRA's fundraising around major racing events in the Spring and Summer will include the Triple Crown series (The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes, and The Belmont Stakes). Merchandise sales, television time, and the NTRA website will support awareness of the Barbaro Memorial Fund.
Roy Jackson, who owned Barbaro with his wife Gretchen, said “Gretchen and I hope Barbaro’s memory can be carried on through advances in medical research, including a cure for laminitis.”
Give to the Barbaro Fund
NTRA Charities -- Barbaro Memorial Fund
c/o Bessemer Trust Company N.A., attention Robert Elliott
630 Fifth Avenue
New York, N.Y., 10111
Wire-transferred funds can be sent to: Bessemer TR NYC, ABA #026008756; FFC A/C #8H2890: Client name: Bessemer Trust NYC -- for account NTRA Charities, Inc.-- Barbaro Memorial Fund.
All contributions are tax deductible. Questions regarding the fund can be directed to the NTRA's Lexington office, (800) 792-NTRA (6872).
The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horse racing interests consisting of leading thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity of horse racing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA web site, NTRA.com.
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