The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) announced Jan. 26 that it signed a non-binding letter of intent to relocate as many as 600 horses from facilities throughout the United States to the care of Thoroughbred breeder-owner Tom McKenna at his 45,000-acre Cucharas Ranch near Walsenburg, Colo.

According to the announcement, McKenna’s proposal would help the TRF fulfill its mission and significantly reduce costs. The TRF said further negotiations and detailed onsite review of the ranch, which is deed-restricted from development for at least 60 years, are scheduled in the near future.

The TRF, which last year acknowledged financial problems had resulted in delayed payments to some of the farms caring for the more than 1,000 horses under the organization’s auspices, has seen a recent increase in overall financial contributions to the charity.

In addition to its regular stream of contributions, the TRF said it has received major new donations and payments from Darley Stud, The Jockey Club, New York Thoroughbred Breeders, and private donors totaling more than $350,000. Thoroughbred owner and breeder Paul Saylor also has agreed to match any financial gift to the TRF, up to $50,000, to spur additional support

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