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Barbaro Memorial Fund News
Triple Crown Dates Established As National Days For NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund; Fundrasing Goal Of $1 Million Set
March 20, 2007
Contact: Keith Chamblin (859) 621-1120
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Churchill Downs, Inc. (Churchill Downs), Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced today that Kentucky Derby Day, (May 5, 2007), Preakness Stakes Day (May 19) and Belmont Stakes Day (June 9) have been established as national fundraising dates for the NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund. Racetracks and other organizations will be holding fundraising initiatives during the Triple Crown with the goal of raising $1 million for the Barbaro Memorial Fund.
The Barbaro Memorial Fund was created to raise awareness and money for equine health and safety research in the name of 2006 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands winner Barbaro, whose gallant struggle to overcome a catastrophic injury captivated horse enthusiasts around the world. Monies raised by the Barbaro Memorial Fund will support equine research projects, including those that focus on laminitis, the painful and often fatal hoof disease that plagued Barbaro for so much of his recuperative period following his injury in the 2006 Preakness Stakes.
Blue wristbands carrying the words "Riding with Barbaro" are now on sale to raise money for the Fund. The wristbands, priced at $2.00 each, are available online at www.ridingwithbarbaro.org . The blue coloring is designed to represent the primary color of the blue, green and white racing silks of Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stables, which owned and raced Barbaro.
Those wishing to make cash donations to the NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund may also do so at www.ridingwithbarbaro.org. Contributions can also be made via check to:
NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund
c/o Bessemer Trust Company N.A., attention Robert Elliott
630 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 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).
"Through the support of member organizations, fans and those of us who depend on these beautiful animals for our livelihood, we hope to exceed our fundraising goal to address equine health and safety issues, including finding a cure for laminitis," said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop.
"Barbaro will forever hold a major place in the history of America's most famous horse race," said Steve Sexton, President of Churchill Downs. "The outpouring of love and support for Barbaro over the past year was so widespread that we wanted to provide a means for as many people as possible to proudly display their feelings for Barbaro and, at the same time, support this extremely important cause."
"We were all humbled by the strength and courage that Barbaro displayed in his gallant battle to overcome the tragic injury he sustained in last year's Preakness," said Joseph DeFrancis, Executive Vice President of MEC. "His legacy is a very worthy cause that will raise funds to go toward finding a cure for the disease that claimed his life."
"At last year's Belmont Stakes, thousands of fans signed what was the world's largest get-well card to Barbaro. This year, they will have the opportunity to do something even greater: to salute Barbaro by contributing to a fund that will result in medical advances for these wonderful Thoroughbreds that we hold so dear," said Charles Hayward, President and CEO of NYRA.
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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