CARMA unveils new aftercare placement program

The California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) has unveiled the CARMA Placement Program, a new service to assist owners and trainers in the placement of Thoroughbreds in need of retirement. The program was created via funding from the Santa Anita Park After-Care Program, an initiative to support racehorse retirement created by owner-breeder Frank Stronach.

The CARMA Placement Program will facilitate the transition of horses from the racetrack to an approved CARMA Aftercare Partner, non-profit benefactors of the organization's grant funds, for placement into a new home.

The Placement Program will work directly with owners and trainers to transition horses admitted to the program to Winners’ Circle Ranch in Bradbury, Calif., where they will be assessed and given any necessary veterinary treatment. They will then be placed with an appropriate aftercare partner for rest, retraining and adoption—or permanent retirement, if necessary.

To be admitted into the program, horses must have raced at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park or Del Mar within the last six months, or must have shown recorded works during that time span at those tracks. Owners and trainers must provide information about the horse's physical condition, including injuries necessitating retirement. Colts cannot be accepted into the program, but newly gelded horses, geldings, and fillies and mares are welcome.

A donation of $500 is requested to help defray the transportation and administrative costs associated with each horse.

For more information, visit the CARMA website.