Del Mar announces matching funds agreement with CARMA

Under a new matching funds agreement, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will match 50 percent of racehorse owners’ voluntary contributions to the California Retirement Management Account during its upcoming meet, which begins on July 17.

The match will grow to 100 percent in 2014, according to an announcement by Del Mar and CARMA. According to CARMA officials, owners contributed $48,161 to the organization during Del Mar's 2012 meet.

CARMA is a 501(c)(3) organization that raises funds to support retired Thoroughbred racehorses who have raced in California. According to the July 8 announcement, since 2008 it has received more than $1.4 million in contributions via a 0.3 percent voluntary donation from owners’ purse earnings, which CARMA has then passed on to 501(c)(3) non-profits that provide care for and/or retrain Thoroughbred ex-racehorses.

“We are committed to the health and welfare of our equine athletes when their racing careers are over, and we believe CARMA will be able to use these additional funds to help many of the horses who have raced at Del Mar,” said Del Mar chief executive Joe Harper.

CARMA founder Madeline Auerbach called Del Mar “a very strong supporter of CARMA” and noted: “While owners have to be responsible for their horses, it is important for the racing community to support one another, and this is an excellent example of that.”

CARMA also will host “Poker in Paradise,” an annual fundraiser now in its sixth year. The event, featuring Texas Hold ’Em games, drinks, and appetizers, takes place July 20 at the Del Mar Hilton. Reservations for the fundraiser and more information about CARMA, including its grant process and grant applications, are available at www.carma4horses.org.