The Jockey Club President and chief operating officer James L. Gagliano announced Monday (July 11) that owners’ and breeders’ contributions to The Jockey Club’s retirement checkoff program in support of the aftercare of Thoroughbred racehorses now qualify as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

The retirement checkoff program was implemented in 2009 with proceeds benefiting the retirement, retraining, and adoption efforts of Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF). Checkoff proceeds are directed specifically to TCA’s Thoroughbred retraining and adoption initiatives and to TRF’s vocational training programs with retired Thoroughbreds at correctional facilities.

Until now, those contributions did not qualify as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

"By making checkoff contributions at the time of foal registration tax deductible, we are giving owners and breeders yet another good reason to support these important Thoroughbred charities," said Gagliano