New York Thoroughbred Horsemens Association

What New York Thoroughbred Horsemens Association does

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) is a nonprofit, membership-based trade association founded circa 1960 to represent the interests of Thoroughbred owners and trainers racing at New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks — Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga. Any owner or trainer licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) who has started a horse at an NYRA track in the past two years automatically becomes a member, producing a membership base exceeding 5,000 individuals. NYTHA operates as the NYSGC's recognized representative of horsemen and holds a voting seat on the NYRA Board, giving it statutory standing to negotiate on purse levels, racing dates, capital improvements, and the allocation of gaming revenue.

NYTHA delivers a portfolio of member-facing services rather than technology products. Its core offerings are the Backstretch Benevolence Program (health benefits, counseling, dental/vision care, meal subsidies, ESL classes, scholarships, and recreational services for backstretch workers, routed through partners such as B.E.S.T., Race Track Chaplaincy of NY, and Belmont Child Care Association/Anna House), equine aftercare initiatives (TAKE THE LEAD, launched 2013, placing 180+ retired racehorses annually; and TAKE2, launched jointly with the NYTB in 2012, with 3,000+ Thoroughbreds participating in hunter/jumper second-career classes), the NY Trainers Health Insurance Program (NYTHIP, established by 2021 legislation), continuing education delivered via HorsemenU.com, advocacy through its PAC, and recognition programs (EquiStar Award since 2016; D. Wayne Lukas Award since 2025). There are no proprietary technology platforms, software products, or AI components in NYTHA's stack — its operating substrate is political advocacy, in-person service delivery at four physical office locations (Jamaica mailing address plus Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga), and program administration.

NYTHA's funding model is recurring member contributions supplemented by PAC donations and per-start/per-claim assessments channeled to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Material outflows include over $300,000 annually to TAKE THE LEAD and TAKE2, $200,000 in scholarships to 40+ recipients each year, and significant allocations to B.E.S.T. for backstretch health and welfare — described as NYTHA's largest single expenditure line. The 2025 industry funding pledge to AAEP for wearable biometric sensor research totals $785,000 across ten Thoroughbred organizations, with NYTHA participating.

Name

New York Thoroughbred Horsemens Association

Legal name

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

Website

https://nytha.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NYTHA is a nonprofit trade association founded circa 1960 representing over 5,000 Thoroughbred owners and trainers racing at NYRA tracks (Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga). It delivers benevolence programs, equine aftercare (TAKE THE LEAD, TAKE2), trainer health insurance, advocacy, and scholarships as the NYSGC-recognized horsemen's representative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Thoroughbred Horse Racing Trade Association

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Training, Stables & Equine Services (MPAEADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Racehorse Ownership, Syndication & Investment Platforms (MPAEADAG), Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)

Keywords

• Horse racing association
• Thoroughbred industry advocacy
• Equine aftercare services
• Backstretch worker benefits
• Horsemen membership organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Jamaica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NYTHA operates primarily as a membership organization representing Thoroughbred owners and trainers. Revenue supports advocacy efforts, benevolence programs, aftercare initiatives, and operational costs. The organization also collects PAC contributions from members.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) is a membership-based trade association that represents Thoroughbred owners and trainers racing at NYRA's Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga tracks. NYTHA delivers advocacy before state regulators and legislators, a Backstretch Benevolence Program (health, counseling, scholarships, and social services for backstretch workers), and equine aftercare programs (TAKE THE LEAD retirement program and TAKE2 second career program). Membership is automatic for any NYSGC-licensed owner or trainer who has raced at an NYRA track within the past two years.

Product overview

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) is a membership-based trade organization, not a technology product company. It provides advocacy, benevolence, and member services for Thoroughbred owners and trainers at NYRA tracks. Core programs include the Backstretch Benevolence Program (health benefits, scholarships, counseling), TAKE THE LEAD retirement program, TAKE2 second career program, NY Trainers Health Insurance Program, continuing education services, and advocacy/PAC activities. These are membership services, not software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NYTHA Membership Services Membership representation program providing advocacy, benevolence, and industry resources to Thoroughbred owners and trainers licensed by the NYS Gaming Commission who have raced at NYRA tracks (Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga) within the past two years.
• Backstretch Benevolence Program Comprehensive welfare services for backstretch workers at NYRA tracks, including health benefits, medical clinics, counseling, dental and eye care, meal subsidies, rent assistance, recreation programs, ESL classes, computer labs, and the Groom Development Program.
• TAKE THE LEAD Thoroughbred Retirement Program Equine aftercare program that places retired NYRA-track Thoroughbreds with TAA-accredited rehabilitation and retraining organizations; reached milestone of 1,000+ retirees since inception and places 180+ horses annually.
• TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program Program that promotes second careers for retired Thoroughbreds by sponsoring prize money for Thoroughbred-only Hunter and Jumper divisions at USEF-rated horse shows, with more than 3,000 Thoroughbreds having participated.
• NY Trainers Health Insurance Program (NYTHIP) Free health insurance program for trainers who make at least 60% of their annual starts at NYRA tracks with a minimum of 43 NYRA starts per year, established through NYTHA-championed legislation.
• Continuing Education Services Compliance training services for trainers and assistant trainers providing access to the HorsemenU.com platform for HISA and NYSGC-approved continuing education courses.
• NYTHA Scholarship Program Annual scholarship fund awarding $200,000 to 40+ backstretch employees and their dependents for higher education, administered through the NYTHA Scholarship Committee.
• Advocacy and NYTHA PAC Legislative advocacy and political action committee representing horsemen's interests in Albany on racing regulations, purse levels, racing dates, equine welfare, and related industry matters, with a 2026 PAC fundraising target of $75,000.
• NYTHA EquiStar Award Annual NYTHA award program established in 2016 recognizing individuals or organizations that enrich the New York Thoroughbred industry through compassion, hard work, and generosity.

Quantifiable outcome

• $200,000 in scholarships awarded to 40+ students annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TAKE THE LEAD Thoroughbred Retirement ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013NYTHA-created program (2013) that facilitates rehabilitation and retraining placements for retired Thoroughbred racehorses at NYRA tracks. Works with TAA-accredited organizations including ACTT Naturally, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, Equine Advocates, Lucky Orphans, New Vocations, ReRun, and others.
• TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Joint program with NYTB (launched 2012) that sponsors prize money and awards for Thoroughbred-only Hunter and Jumper divisions at USEF-rated horse shows. Over 3,000 Thoroughbreds have participated.
• New York Racing Association (NYRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYTHA works in conjunction with NYRA on issues impacting horsemen. NYTHA holds a voting seat on the NYRA Board and participates in discussions about racetrack operations, capital improvements, racing dates, and purse distribution. NYRA operates the three tracks (Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga) where NYTHA members race.
• New York State Gaming CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYTHA is the NYS Gaming Commission's recognized representative of owners and trainers. The organization works with the Commission on racing regulations, licensing, and industry standards.
• Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYTHA works with THA on regional matters that affect New York horsemen and coordinates with national organizations to resolve industry-wide problems.
• Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerB.E.S.T. provides health benefits, counseling, and social services to backstretch workers. NYTHA allocates significant funding for medical and health benefits through B.E.S.T., including primary care clinics, dental care, eye care, and other wellness programs.
• Race Track Chaplaincy of New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYTHA supports the Race Track Chaplaincy of New York as part of its benevolence program for backstretch employees, providing spiritual and social support services.
• Belmont Child Care Association (Anna House)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYTHA provides funding support for the Belmont Child Care Association's Anna House program, which offers childcare services for backstretch workers' families.
• Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYTHA supports TAA through $10 per start donation from every owner competing at NYRA tracks, plus 1.5% of purchase price from every claimed horse at NYRA. TAA accredits and funds aftercare organizations.
• American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYTHA is one of 10 Thoroughbred industry organizations that pledged $785,000 total for AAEP's wearable biometric sensor research project (Jan-Dec 2025) to evaluate sensors for injury detection in racehorses.
• New York Trainers Health Insurance Program (NYTHIP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished by legislation signed in October 2021, NYTHIP provides free health insurance to trainers meeting eligibility criteria (minimum 43 NYRA starts and 60% of total starts at NYRA tracks).
• New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund (NYJICF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYTHA represents owners and trainers through appointments and leadership to NYJICF, which provides workers' compensation insurance for jockeys and exercise riders at low cost.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA): National trade association for Thoroughbred owners and breeders, providing broader advocacy and education. NYTHA works with TOBA-style national bodies on industry-wide matters, making it an adjacent incumbent rather than a direct competitor.
• Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA): National umbrella organization that NYTHA affiliates with on regional matters. THA provides the broader national layer above state-level associations like NYTHA, offering coordination but not direct service overlap.
• The Jockey Club: The breed registry for Thoroughbreds in North America. While not a trade association, it sits at the center of the industry NYTHA represents and shares overlapping governance and data infrastructure.

Others

• Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.): Service-provider partner that delivers the health, dental, and social services NYTHA funds. B.E.S.T. is an operational extension of NYTHA's benevolence program rather than an independent trade association.
• American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP): Professional association for equine veterinarians. NYTHA is one of 10 Thoroughbred industry organizations funding AAEP's 2025 wearable biometric sensor research project—a collaborative partner, not a competitor.
• New York Racing Association (NYRA): Operator of the three racetracks (Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga) where NYTHA members race. NYRA is a counterpart/counterparty rather than a peer; NYTHA holds a voting seat on its board.

Direct peers

• California Thoroughbred Trainers: California-based trade organization for Thoroughbred trainers with similar advocacy and member-service functions, operating alongside the state's horsemen's association.
• Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association: State-level trade association representing Thoroughbred owners and trainers in Florida, with an analogous advocacy, benevolence, and aftercare mandate. NYTHA's Executive Director Andy Belfiore previously led this organization, underscoring direct comparability.
• Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association: State-level horsemen's association representing Thoroughbred owners and trainers in Kentucky—the largest U.S. racing state. Operates parallel benevolence, advocacy, and purse-negotiation functions.
• Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association: Pennsylvania state-level trade association for Thoroughbred owners and trainers, performing the same collective bargaining, benevolence, and aftercare functions as NYTHA but at different tracks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NewYorkTHA
• Facebookfacebook.com/NewYorkTHA
• Instagraminstagram.com/newyorktha
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-york-thoroughbred-horsemens-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about New York Thoroughbred Horsemens Association