National Thoroughbred Racing Association

National Thoroughbred Racing Association

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is an organization in the United States of America that acts as the chief governing body over thoroughbred horse racing in the country. The NTRA also has jurisdiction over the World Thoroughbred Racing Championship, more commonly known as the Breeders' Cup in North America. A number of other groups, clubs and organizations fall under the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, this includes the American Quarter Horse Association. The NTRA plays a very important role in the USA's horse racing industry.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association was established in 1998 with funding provided by The Jockey Club, Breeders' Cup Limited, Oak Tree Racing Association, National Thoroughbred Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and Keeneland Association. Since its start, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association along with Breeders' Cup Limited has organized and hosted the Breeders' Cup meets. Along with supervising this prestigious event, the NTRA is responsible for organizing other races, setting up rules, promotes professionalism in the industry, monitors membership, licenses breeders of thoroughbred racehorses, sells horse racing merchandise and lobbies for pari-mutuel wagering or handicapping. Essentially, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association is a league office for this massive sport as well as a trade association for a large industry which includes similar businesses, for example, breeding.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association in the United States has offices set-up in New York City, Lexington (Kentucky) and lobbying staff in Washington, D.C. The main members of the NTRA are as follows: Commissioner and CEO – D.G. Van Clief Jr.; President and COO – Greg Avioli; Treasurer and CFO – Ferguson Taylor. Notable is the fact that D.G. Van Clief is also the President of the Breeders' Cup. In order to protect and increase the breeding and horse racing industries, the NTRA makes use of political advocacy in Washington. The organization is able to lobby for and raise Political Action committee funds by means of the Horse PAC. As such it can assist federal candidates who are supportive of the industry and want to provide business opportunities and tax relief for breeders, owners and associations. The NTRA works along with the American Horse Council which represents over 130 horse breeds. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is vital for the continued success and growth of the horse racing industry in USA.