Wildfire relief donations pass $650,000

More than $650,000 has been raised to aid people affected by the wildfire that struck the San Luis Rey Downs training center on Dec. 7, according to a statement released by Del Mar on Wednesday.

The donations were collected through a GoFundMe account administered by Santa Anita and Del Mar. Santa Anita’s parent company, The Stronach Group, owns San Luis Rey Downs in Bonsall, Calif. Del Mar is housing approximately 250 horses displaced by the fire. Del Mar is open for training for those horses as San Luis Rey Downs undergoes renovation.

The fire destroyed eight barns. According to the California Horse Racing Board, 46 horsed died in the fire. There were approximately 450 horses based at San Luis Rey Downs at the time of the fire.

Wednesday’s statement said a committee of five racing executives has approved the distribution of $250,000 to aid more than 200 backstretch employees affected by the fire. Many have lost personal possessions. The employees were to receive $500 each for living expenses, according to the statement.

The California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation is distributing the funds. Financial assistance will also be provided to trainers, depending on the size of their stables, to offer support for equipment and basic stable needs.