What Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation does

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), founded in 1983, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Saratoga Springs, New York, and self-identified as the oldest and largest Thoroughbred aftercare organization in the United States. Its core function is providing dignified lifetime care for retired Thoroughbred racehorses no longer able to compete on the racetrack, with most horses remaining in the herd for 15–20 years across multiple sanctuary farms in New York, Virginia, Kentucky, and Arkansas. In parallel, TRF operates the TRF Second Chances Program in partnership with state Departments of Corrections (NY, KY, FL, MD, SC, AR, WY) and juvenile justice agencies, in which inmates and at-risk youth provide supervised care to the horses while earning vocational certification in equine care and management.

The organization's products and underlying "operating platform" are not technology-based but consist of a portfolio of programs: a tiered Horse Sponsorship Program ($250–$7,500 annual tiers), multiple Sanctuary Farms (Ashby Station, Chestnut Hall, Nash Family Farm, Happy Hooves Retreat, Powhatan Plantation, 18 Karat Farm, and partnership farms), an Adoption and Retirement Service, the Second Chances vocational training program, a Corporate Impact Partner Program, a Planned Giving/legacy giving suite (the Promised Road Society), and a calendar of fundraising events (Gumbo with Kendrick Carmouche, Cocktails For Aftercare, TRF Polo Classic, Backyard BBQ). Underlying operational infrastructure is lightweight — a Donorbox donation page, a Shopify merchandise store, a Constant Contact email newsletter, and an Amazon Wishlist for in-kind supplies — with the bulk of operational labor delivered by a small central staff of 1–10 employees, supplemented by regional farm managers and volunteers, plus inmate labor under supervision at the corrections facilities.

TRF's business model is diversified nonprofit contribution revenue: individual donations and recurring horse sponsorships, event ticket sales and corporate event sponsorships, merchandise revenue (proceeds to the herd), planned giving through bequests and trusts, in-kind donations, and a year-long Corporate Impact Partner program running July–June. The organization invests over $1,200,000 annually in feeding and caring for the herd, and is supported by named industry figures (Chad Brown, Bill Mott, Todd Pletcher, David "Chief" Alcaro, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners) and grant-makers such as the Santulli Family Foundation. It holds a registered trademark ("Saving Horses, Changing Lives™"), TAA accreditation, a GuideStar Platinum seal, and an Eclipse Award (1983) granted to founder Monique S. Koehler.

Name

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

Legal name

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://trfinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides lifetime sanctuary for nearly 400 retired U.S. Thoroughbred racehorses across multiple states, while running the Second Chances vocational-training program in eight state correctional and juvenile justice facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine Aftercare Services

NAICS

Horses and Other Equine Production (11292), Other Animal Production (1129)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH), Equine Veterinary, Welfare & Anti-Doping Services (MPAEADAJ)

Keywords

• Equine aftercare services
• Retired racehorse care
• Horse sanctuary farms
• Vocational equine training
• Thoroughbred adoption programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saratoga Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Primary revenue from individual donations, horse sponsorship programs at various tiers ($250-$7,500 annually), and corporate impact partnerships.
2. Event Revenue: Revenue from fundraising events including Gumbo with Kendrick Carmouche ($40 tickets), Cocktails For Aftercare ($125 tickets), TRF Polo Classic, and Backyard BBQ.
3. Planned Giving: Bequests, retirement account designations, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, life insurance gifts, and life estate arrangements.
4. Merchandise Sales: Proceeds from shop-trf.myshopify.com merchandise sales benefit the TRF herd.
5. In-Kind Donations: Amazon Wishlist donations of barn supplies, medical supplies, grooming items, and other in-kind support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation provides dignified lifetime care for retired Thoroughbred racehorses across a network of sanctuary farms. It also runs the Second Chances Program, a vocational training partnership with correctional facilities where incarcerated individuals care for and learn horsemanship skills from retired racehorses. The organization cares for nearly 400 retired Thoroughbreds and operates programs in eight states.

Product overview

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) operates a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on providing dignified lifetime care for retired Thoroughbred racehorses. The core offerings include the Horse Sponsorship Program with tiered donation levels ($250-$7,500), the TRF Second Chances Program at correctional facilities providing vocational training, multiple Sanctuary Farms across multiple states, Adoption and Retirement Services for horses unable to continue athletic careers, Corporate Impact Partner Program for business sponsorships, Planned Giving options for legacy gifts, and TRF Events including annual fundraisers. The organization cares for nearly 400 retired Thoroughbred racehorses supported by staff, farm managers, and volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TRF Second Chances Program: Vocational training program operating in partnership with correctional facilities where inmates provide care to retired Thoroughbred racehorses while learning horsemanship and life skills.
• Promised Road Society

Products and services

• Horse Sponsorship Program A tiered sponsorship program allowing donors to support retired racehorses through annual financial contributions, providing feed, hay, supplements, routine veterinary care, dental, and farrier services for horses in the TRF herd.
• TRF Second Chances Program A vocational training program operating at correctional facilities where incarcerated individuals provide supervised care to retired racehorses while learning horse anatomy, equine nutrition, injury care, and other aspects of horse management.
• Sanctuary Farms Multiple sanctuary farm locations across the United States (including Ashby Station Farm in VA, Chestnut Hall in KY, Nash Family Farm in KY, and others) providing spacious pastures and expert care for retired Thoroughbred racehorses.
• Adoption and Retirement Services Programs facilitating the adoption of retired racehorses into private homes and offering retirement placement for registered Thoroughbreds with race records who cannot be ridden due to age or infirmity.
• Corporate Impact Partner Program An annual corporate partnership program (July-June) offering business sponsors brand placement, event engagement, employee involvement, and storytelling opportunities across digital and on-site platforms in support of TRF's mission.
• Planned Giving Legacy giving options including bequests in wills, gifts from retirement accounts, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, life insurance gifts, and life estate arrangements of property to support TRF's mission long-term.
• TRF Events Fundraising events including Gumbo with Kendrick Carmouche ($40), Cocktails For Aftercare ($125), TRF Polo Classic, and annual Backyard BBQ that support lifetime care for retired racehorses and Second Chances programs.
• Annual Appeal Annual fundraising campaign providing flexible funding for daily operational needs, horse care, and Second Chances program expansion, inviting community members to support TRF's shared mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Studies have shown a reduction in recidivism rates at facilities that host the Second Chances program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered growth partner, minor, core and platinum sponsor.

• Brook Ledge Horse Transportationgrowth partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Impact Partner (Growth Partner level) proudly supporting TRF's mission to provide retired racehorses with lifelong care, dignity, and meaningful second chances.
• The Orthwein FamilyminorOthersDonated use of Bloomfield Farm's Polo Field for the TRF Polo Classic event.
• South Carolina Department of CorrectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Wateree River Correctional Institution for Second Chances Program established 2004, providing vocational training in equine care for inmates.
• Florida Department of CorrectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Lowell Correctional Institution for Second Chances Program established 2000, providing vocational training for women inmates through horse care.
• New York State Department of Corrections and Community SupervisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Wallkill Correctional Facility for Second Chances Program established 1984, the first and flagship TRF program.
• Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Central Maryland Correctional Facility for Second Chances Farm established May 2009, first program of its kind in Maryland.
• Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of CorrectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Blackburn Correctional Complex for Second Chances Program established 1999, converting old dairy barn for horse care.
• Florida Department of Juvenile JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Oak Grove Academy (Rite of Passage) for juvenile justice program for boys aged 14-19.
• NYRA (New York Racing Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYRA has worked with TRF and requires owner education videos on aftercare before licensing. NYRA paddock reporter Maggie Wolfendale-Morley serves on TRF Board.
• Eclipse Thoroughbred Partnersplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for TRF Polo Classic event.
• New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fundplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for TRF Polo Classic event.
• Old Tavern Farmplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for TRF Polo Classic event.
• PHS Racing LLCplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for TRF Polo Classic event.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Old Friends: Thoroughbred retirement farm dedicated to providing lifetime care to retired racehorses, including many famous stallions and mares. Directly comparable as a Thoroughbred sanctuary operator with a public-visitation and donor-sponsorship model.
• After the Finish Line: California-based Thoroughbred aftercare nonprofit providing financial grants and sanctuary support for retired racehorses. Comparable fundraising, sponsorship, and grant-making model targeting the same donor demographic as TRF.
• ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption: Thoroughbred aftercare and adoption organization that rehabilitates and retrains off-track Thoroughbreds for second careers. Directly comparable to TRF's adoption/retirement services and competes for similar owners seeking retirement placements.
• Standardbred Retirement Foundation: Sister aftercare nonprofit for retired Standardbred harness racehorses; runs an adoption, sanctuary, and herd-care model that is structurally identical to TRF's, competing for overlapping harness-racing and general equine-welfare donor dollars.
• New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program: The largest racehorse adoption nonprofit in the U.S., directly comparable to TRF as a Thoroughbred aftercare organization that rehabs, retrains, and rehomes retired racehorses across multiple states. Operates similar sanctuary/adoption programming and competes for the same donor and racing-industry sponsorship pool.

Regional players

• Days End Farm Horse Rescue: Maryland-based horse rescue and adoption organization offering rehabilitation and training services. Operates a similar sanctuary-and-adoption model to TRF and draws on overlapping Mid-Atlantic donor pools.
• MidAtlantic Horse Rescue: Regional horse rescue and sanctuary operator on the U.S. East Coast providing rehabilitation, adoption, and sanctuary services. Comparable operating model for horse welfare with overlapping Mid-Atlantic donor base but not exclusively Thoroughbred-focused.

Broad incumbents

• The Humane Society of the United States (Equine Protection): Large incumbent animal-welfare organization with an equine protection program addressing horse welfare, slaughter, and rescue. Comparable as a broader animal-welfare fundraising competitor and policy actor, though not a direct Thoroughbred aftercare provider.
• Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA): Industry-wide accrediting body that sets aftercare standards and distributes funding to accredited organizations including TRF. Functions as both regulator/peer (accrediting TRF) and a broader industry umbrella that channels racing-industry dollars across multiple aftercare nonprofits.

Emerging players

• Retired Racehorse Project (RRP): Organization promoting second careers for off-track Thoroughbreds through transition training, riding programs, and the Thoroughbred Makeover. Comparable mission of repurposing retired racehorses, complementary to TRF's sanctuary model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ThoroughbredRetirementFoundation
• Xx.com/trfinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation