The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today that John Deere, the world’s largest manufacturer of agricultural equipment, has renewed its sales and marketing partnership with the NTRA for an additional two years. Consistent with its long-standing NTRA deal, John Deere will continue in its role as an NTRA Official Supplier and also maintain its participation in the NTRA Advantage group purchasing program.
As part of the agreement, NTRA members will continue to be able to purchase or lease John Deere agricultural tractors, equipment and implements with preferred member discounts, warranty programs and competitive financing packages.
“The Thoroughbred industry—with its multi-billion-dollar agribusiness—remains a vital and important market for our products,” said Ken Taylor, General Manager, Corporate Business Division, at John Deere. “We value greatly our relationship with the NTRA, as well as those with the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup properties, and we look forward to another two productive years with the NTRA and its members.”
“We’re delighted to extend our deal with John Deere,” said Bryan Pettigrew, Senior Vice President of NTRA Advantage. “Thanks to this agreement, NTRA members who have always relied on John Deere’s outstanding equipment will continue to enjoy special pricing from a world-class company that also supports our industry through substantial marketing and sponsorship spending.”
NTRA members that can realize savings through NTRA Advantage include racetracks, owners, breeders and trainers. Equine organizations utilizing the Advantage program extend well beyond the realm of Thoroughbred racing. Participating organizations include the American Quarter Horse Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation, the U.S. Trotting Association, Harness Tracks of America, the American Paint Horse Association and the U.S. Polo Association.
In 2012, the NTRA Advantage program topped the $100 million mark in savings to the horse industry since the inception of the NTRA’s group purchasing arm in 2002. In all, NTRA Advantage sales of goods and services since 2002 exceed $600 million. NTRA Official Suppliers include such nationally known vendors as John Deere, Valvoline, UPS, Sherwin-Williams, OfficeMax and Hagyard Pharmacy.
The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horse racing interests consisting of leading Thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers, horseplayers 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.