• Overview
• Mission
• Affiliations
• Contact Us

About the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

For over half a century, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) has represented the interests of horse owners and trainers at New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks. NYTHA was founded with the objective of serving as a collective voice for the broad interests of Thoroughbred owners and trainers and to improve and increase the effectiveness of its constituents in the day-to-day activities of racing. Today, NYTHA serves as the New York State Racing and Wagering Board's (NYSRWB) recognized representative of owners and trainers and has taken a primary role in the New York horseracing industry. NYTHA strives to protect the economic interests of all horsemen and to gain public recognition of horseracing as a vital form of entertainment, deserving support, protection and preservation.

Membership of the organization is comprised of any owner or trainer who is licensed by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board who has run a horse in the last two years at Aqueduct, Belmont or Saratoga. NYTHA recognizes that its constituency is the life-blood of the racing industry in New York and focuses its efforts on doing what is best for New York horsemen.

NYTHA's mission falls into three main areas:

• Providing benevolence to the Backstretch Community
• Safeguarding horsemen's financial interests
• Supporting equine research

The organization addresses major issues that impact horse owners and trainers including purse levels, racetrack operations, racing opportunities and all other conditions important to the future of horse racing in New York. NYTHA works in conjunction with NYRA, SRWB, the State Legislature, the Executive Branch, racing industry groups, and various academic institutions to accomplish these goals.

NYTHA places great emphasis on the benevolence program for Backstretch employees, which accounts for the organization's largest single expenditure. It includes a variety of health and counseling services, eyeglass and dental coverage, recreation programs, English as a second language classes, scholarship assistance, and numerous other activities which improve the quality of life on the Backstretch.

NYTHA also earmarks funds for equine research, supporting projects at Cornell University and other major institutions and national industry groups. The funded studies concern the health, safety and performance of thoroughbreds.

In addition, NYTHA:

• Mediates problems and horsemen's concerns at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga on behalf of owners, trainers and Backstretch employees.
• Provides a lobbyist to promote and protect horsemen's interests and the future of racing and to initiate positive legislative solutions to industry problems.
• Represents owners and trainers through its appointments and leadership to the New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund (NYJICF), which provides workers' compensation insurance for jockeys and exercise riders in an efficient manner at a low cost.
• Works with the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA) on regional matters that affect New York horsemen.
• Works with national organizations to resolve industry wide problems.
• Makes available a supply of condition books, stakes books and stall applications for most major racetracks throughout the country, along with a file of all the major racing journals.
• Provides information to its membership to keep it abreast of all pertinent issues that affect them and the industry.
• Publishes a newsletter providing its constituents news and insights on New York racing and horsemen.