–Tournament to be held on Opening Weekend of the 2011 Del Mar Racing Season–

 In support of providing funding for the rehabilitation, retraining and/or retirement of Thoroughbred horses that have raced in California, CARMA will be hosting their 4^th annual charity Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, Poker in Paradise, on Saturday, July 23, at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel at 6pm.

CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) is a charitable 501 (c)(3) organization formed to assist Thoroughbred rehabilitation and retirement organizations that facilitate the care and retraining of horses who raced in California and whose racing careers have ended. CARMA ensures the racehorses have retirement options by managing and disbursing funds to qualified retirement facilities caring for such horses.

In support of CARMA’s efforts, attendees of the Poker in Paradise event will enjoy a laid back tropical paradise theme along with heavy appetizers.  Guests will mix and mingle with industry elite, including racehorse owners, trainers and jockeys. 

“We are extremely proud of the work we’ve done for the horses in our racing community and look forward to the support at this year’s Poker in Paradise event to enable us to continue our work,” said CARMA Board Chair Madeline Auerbach. “The CARMA program has been a proven success in terms of dollars raised and most importantly in the tangible results seen at our benefitting farms and facilities where the horses live. I’ve seen firsthand that the money is being put to good use.”

Individual poker players enter into the Texas Hold ‘Em style tournament with a $200 donation. Poker players are encouraged to bring guests to attend and enjoy the event.  Corporate tables for 8 players are available for a $3,000 donation. Additional donation opportunities will be available through on-site opportunity drawings. Register for the event by July 1^st and receive a complimentary Clubhouse Pass valid any single day of 2011 Del Mar Meet.

CARMA is funded by individual donations and by their work with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to adopt a rule allowing for a 0.3 percent deduction from purses to help fund equine retirement.  This deduction, one owners can opt-out of, is used to help support equine retirement farms and other non-profit programs that care for and retrain retired Thoroughbred racehorses.   To date, CARMA has received support from 80 percent of horse owners.

Since its inception in 2008, CARMA has granted $728,810 which has provided care to hundreds of Thoroughbreds that participated in California races at some point in their career. Over 80 percent of the funds raised by the organization are utilized in the day-to-day care of these horses. 

Tickets for the Poker in Paradise event are now available at www.carma4horses.org. For questions please call (626) 574-6622 or email info@CARMA4horses.org. The Del Mar Hilton hotel is located at 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, California 92014.  Attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

A graduate of the University of Arizona’s Racetrack Industry Program, Mandella has spent the last 14 years as Director of Owner Services for the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), where she headed that organization’s successful continuing education program and provided on-track liaison services for owners. Mandella also worked closely with Thoroughbred owner and breeder Madeline Auerbach in founding CARMA in late 2007.

“CARMA has raised the bar in terms of funding for our retired racehorses,” said Mandella. “I am honored that Madeline and the CARMA board have entrusted me with the responsibility of taking the organization to the next level.”

Santa Anita Park has generously donated office space to give CARMA a permanent home at the Great Race Place. “We are thrilled and delighted that Santa Anita will be CARMA’s home,” said Auerbach, who serves as CARMA’s board chair. “There is nowhere else we would rather be.”

“There is no greater cause in our industry than taking care of our retired horses,” said Santa Anita President George Haines.  “We applaud CARMA’s efforts these past three years and on behalf of the entire industry here in California, we thank them for their hard work and dedication. 

“We’re happy to be able to provide them with a permanent home here at Santa Anita and we congratulate Lucinda on her promotion to Executive Director.  We wish her and the organization all the best in the future.”

CARMA, a 501c3 non-profit, raises money for retired Thoroughbred racehorses that have raced in California. It also has a seat on the NTRA Safety Alliance’s aftercare subcommittee, which works toward a national solution to issues surrounding retired racehorses.

CARMA is run by an independent board of directors and is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners and trainers on equine retirement, and working to unify the industry in support of retiring equine athletes. For more information, visit CARMA’s website at www.carma4horses.org.

Tournament to be held on Opening Weekend of the 2010 Del Mar Racing Season

San Diego, CA, June 7, 2010 — In support of providing funding for the rehabilitation, retraining and/or retirement of Thoroughbred horses that have raced in California, CARMA will be hosting their 3rd annual charity Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, Poker in Paradise, sponsored by TVG-Betfair, on Saturday, July 24, at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel at 6pm.

Arcadia, CA – April 12, 2008                                                                    

CARMA Retirement Roundtable Produces Immediate Results

The first retirement roundtable hosted on April 8^th by the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) at Santa Anita Racetrack was a success, particularly for one injured racehorse in Northern California.  CARMA Board members stepped up to pay for a necessary surgery for Fabuloso, a 4-year-old filly by Smoke Glacken with a hind ankle fracture. Her prognosis for a full recovery and life in a second career is excellent.

Fabuloso’s fate was brought to the attention of the group by Bonnie Adams of CANTER (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses).  She joined more than 40 representatives of retirement and rescue organizations.  Participants included Caroline Betts of Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, Grace Belcuore of CERF, Pricilla Clark of Tranquility Farm, Dawn Mellen of After the Finish Line, Joell Dunlap of Square Peg Foundation, Helen Meredith of United Pegasus Foundation, Susan Schwartz of Heaven Can Wait, and Karin Wagner of Neigh Savers Foundation.  Representing CARMA were Madeline Auerbach, Board Chair, board member Jan Hawthorne, Marsha Naify, Vice Chair, and Executive Director Lucinda Mandella. 

Also in attendance was Dr. Jaymie Noland of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, who presented information on a pilot program currently underway to evaluate and place ex-racehorses. Currently, two horses are being evaluated by students on conformation, medical condition and injuries, soundness, and temperament.  Once the evaluation is complete the horses will be available for sale into appropriate careers.  The goal is to build a program that can be duplicated in other university systems. 

CARMA’s goal in hosting the “Racehorse Retirement Roundtable” was to bring together representatives from non-profit groups working to save ex-racehorses. Discussions focused on the long-term plans of the major retirement facilities in California for perpetual operation, networking and communication between retirement groups, and resources for improved operation and efficiency by non-profit groups. 

Auerbach stressed the importance of all the organizations working together and supporting each other in trying to do what is best for the horses.  The discussion focused on how that goal can be achieved.  “We have to put our differences aside and do what is best for the horses.  I have no doubt that everyone in this room is as big a horse-lover as I am,” said Auerbach.  “They have to come first.”

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Arcadia, CA –September 1, 2009                                                                 

CARMA Raises Over $80,000 at Second Annual Event

Despite a downturn in the economy and everyone thinking “budget”, the Del Mar horse crowd dug into their pockets on August 13 to raise money for retired racehorses.  CARMA’s (California Retirement Management Account) Second Annual “CARMA Cares Charity Fundraiser” sponsored by TVG-Betfair at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel was enjoyed by more than 200 owners, trainers, jockeys and fans.  The evening included a silent auction and charity poker tournament.

Al Michaels, a regular fixture at the Del Mar races and DMTC President Joe Harper’s brother in law, won the Texas Hold ‘em style poker tournament, with owner Mike Mellon, finishing a very close second.  This year’s tournament raised over $41,000.

The silent auction, which raised more than $40,000, had over 90 items.  Generous donors contributed such notable items as a LA Lakers jersey signed by Andrew Bynum, a large collection of racing and horse art, and a private dinner at Pamplemousse Grille in Solana Beach.

CARMA Chair, Madeline Auerbach, acknowledged the vital role of the many dedicated volunteers. “So many people donated items for the auction, and we had more than a dozen people assisting throughout the day and evening,” said Auerbach.  “They were instrumental in making the evening a success, and CARMA can’t thank them enough.”

All CARMA donations will be used to help care for retired racehorses whose careers have ended after competing in California Thoroughbred races.  Through a detailed grant process, facilities that care for such Thoroughbreds may apply for funding on an annual basis.  Last year, CARMA awarded more than $150,000 to a variety of charities that retire and retrain ex-racehorses.  After such a successful fundraising event, CARMA is looking forward to the grant process which begins in September.  The 2009 grants will be presented in December, during the Santa Anita race meet.

CARMA is run by an independent board of directors, chaired by Madeline Auerbach, and is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners and trainers on equine retirement and working to unify the industry in support of retiring equine athletes.  For more information, visit CARMA’s website at www.carma4horses.org.

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Arcadia, CA –December 20, 2009                                                                   

CARMA Allocates More Than $260,000 to Retired Horses

At its November board meeting, the CARMA Board voted to give $264,000 to twelve different charitable organizations caring for retired California racehorses.  This figure is an increase of approximately 50% from the amount granted in 2008, its first year of fundraising.  Last year, after only 6 months of operation, CARMA was able to grant $150,450 to eight charities.  The predominant source of funding is a .03% deduction from purses that goes directly to CARMA.  Owners do have the ability to opt out of the program, but most owners, close to 80%, participate.

“We are extremely proud of the work we have done over the past 12 months. These funds will help buy much needed hay, feed and medications etc.  Hopefully this will give a financial cushion to each of the charities,” said CARMA Board Chair Madeline Auerbach.  “Not only has the CARMA program proven to be successful in terms of dollars raised, we’re able to see a tangible difference at the farms and facilities where the horses live.  As we go out and visit organizations throughout the year, our directors are seeing the money put to work.”

On December 26^th, CARMA will present each of the charities with a check.  Thanks to the generosity of Santa Anita’s president, and CARMA board member, Ron Charles, CARMA will host a day at the races for grant recipients, including lunch in Front Runner Restaurant and a winner’s circle presentation.

Organizations receiving funding include CANTER – CA, California Equine Retirement Foundation, Equine Encore Foundation, Glen Ellen Vocational Academy, Harmony & Hope Horse Haven, Heaven Can Wait, Inc., Neigh Savers Foundation, Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, Square Peg Foundation, Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Tranquility Farm, and United Pegasus Foundation. 

CARMA is run by an independent board of directors, chaired by Madeline Auerbach, and is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners and trainers on equine retirement and working to unify the industry in support of retiring equine athletes.  For more information, visit CARMA’s website at www.carma4horses.org.

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Arcadia, CA – December 13, 2008                                                                

California Industry Organizations Working Together to Save Horses

On a recent Saturday night, Ron Charles, Santa Anita Park president and MEC chief operating officer, got an urgent e-mail plea for help from Diana Baker, a volunteer in Thoroughbred rescue efforts and former member of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s national board of directors.  Baker said that a friend of hers, Caroline Betts of Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue was, at that moment, at the Euclid Stockyards horse auction, where a former racehorse, Sunday Match, was about to be sold to a buyer from a slaughterhouse.  The horse, which had raced at Santa Anita and had recorded workouts as recently as two months ago at Fairplex Park, was going for $250 to $300.  According to Baker’s e-mail, the sale could take place any moment. Charles called Betts and told her to buy the horse and said he would take care of the purchase price, as well as the cost of the first couple of months of its care.

In addition to a chance to rescue this race horse from being slaughtered, Charles saw the incident as an opportunity to further unite the organizations already taking a stand to prevent the inhumane treatment of racehorses – the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) on whose board Charles serves as a director, the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT), and the MEC racetracks, including Santa Anita. Last month, MEC announced a company-wide policy promoting the humane treatment of racehorses and instituting a zero-tolerance anti-slaughter policy.  Under the policy, any trainer or owner stabling at an MEC facility who directly or indirectly participates in the transport of a horse from a MEC facility to either a slaughterhouse or an auction house engaged in selling horses for slaughter will be prohibited from having stalls at any MEC facility.

Since Saturday night, Charles has had meetings with CTT executive director, Ed Halpern, and CARMA chairperson, Madeline Auerbach.

“We want to send a message that we have implemented an anti-slaughter policy, and we intend to do everything in our power to enforce it,” said Charles. “Ed Halpern stepped right up and resolved to find out exactly how the horse got there. With his assistance, we will talk to the trainer involved and put him on notice that if any horse he was training ends up at a slaughter lot, he will never race at an MEC track again.”

“CARMA has taken the lead in the care of California’s retired racehorses, and has done it with an organization, a plan, a strategy,” Charles continued. “MEC will work with CARMA to try to prevent racehorses from suffering such a tragic end.”

According to Auerbach, CARMA is in the process of developing programs so that emergency funds will be available for unique situations like this.

“The horse Ron saved will be eligible for CARMA funding,” said Auerbach, “and when one of the farms finds a slot they can take this horse.”

“People at the highest level in racing in California are donating their time to the cause of humane treatment of our equine athletes,” said Charles. “We are becoming a leader in the protection of retired race horses.”

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Arcadia, CA –August 25, 2008                                                                                     

Mace Siegel Donates $200,000 to CARMA
Challenges Industry to Support Retired Racehorses

            Mace Siegel surprised attendees at the CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) Kick-Off fundraiser on August 21 at the Del Mar Hilton, when he announced he was donating $200,000 to the charity, and challenged other industry participants to step up in support of CARMA.

Siegel, a founding director of Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), is widely recognized as a leader in Thoroughbred racing for his dedication to the sport and his commitment to charitable causes both in and out of racing.  He was instrumental, along with Ed Friendly, in creating TOC to protect owners’ rights, and that organization is now being replicated in many racing states across the country.  In October 2007 the Los Angeles Real Estate & Construction Industries Council (LARE) presented Siegel with its prestigious Spirit of Life© award in recognition of his contributions to the renowned cancer center, City of Hope.  And earlier this year, he was honored, along with his daughter, Samantha, by the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation for their leadership and charitable efforts in racing. 

The CARMA Kick-Off was a fun filled evening enjoyed by over 250 owners, trainers, jockeys and fans.  The silent auction raised more than $65,000 and included unique items such as Kobe Bryant and Derrick Fischer autographed Lakers basketballs, an original oil painting from the Bay Meadows Turf Club, and a live-foal guarantee breeding to Unusual Heat.  More than 200 players took part in the charity poker tournament, which raised $50,000.  Overall, the evening netted more than $100,000 for retired racehorses.

All CARMA donations will be used to help care for retired racehorses whose careers have ended after competing in California Thoroughbred races.  Through a detailed grant process, facilities that care for such Thoroughbreds may apply for funding on an annual basis.  CARMA’s first grants will be awarded in January 2009. 

CARMA is run by an independent board of directors, chaired by Madeline Auerbach, and is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners and trainers on equine retirement and working to unify the industry in support of equine athletes.  Visit CARMA’s website at www.carma4horses.org. A 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, CARMA is actively seeking contributions.  Donations are tax deductable and may be sent to:  CARMA, PO Box 1086, Sierra Madre, CA 91025-9086. (Tax ID #80-0146395).

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Arcadia, CA – August 30, 2008                                                                                 

CARMA Kick Off Raises $100,000 for Retired Racehorses

At its first public event, CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) raised more than $100,000 for retired racehorses, launching the new non-profit’s 2008 fundraising campaign. A fun filled evening, held at the Del Mar Hilton on Aug. 21, was enjoyed by more than 300 owners, trainers, jockeys and fans and included a silent auction and charity poker tournament.

The Texas Hold ‘em style poker tournament was won by Dennis Yokum, racing manager for Mercedes Stable. Other top finishers included owner Bob Bone, trainer Peter Eurton, and Del Mar executive, Craig Dado.  More than 200 players took part in the tournament, which raised $50,000.

The silent auction, which alone raised more than $65,000, included unique items such as Kobe Bryant and Derrick Fischer autographed Lakers basketballs, an oil painting that originally hung in the Bay Meadows Turf Club, and several stallion seasons with live foal guarantees to such popular California sires as Bertrando, Event of the Year and Unusual Heat. A signed and framed Erica Nordean print, “Women in Racing,” a very popular and hotly contested item, went for $635. 

CARMA Chair, Madeline Auerbach, acknowledged the vital role of the many dedicated volunteers. “So many people donated items for the auction, and we had more than a dozen people assisting throughout the day and evening,” said Auerbach.  “They were instrumental in making the evening a success, and CARMA can’t thank them enough.”

All CARMA donations will be used to help care for retired racehorses whose careers have ended after competing in California Thoroughbred races.  Through a detailed grant process, facilities that care for such Thoroughbreds may apply for funding on an annual basis.  CARMA’s first grants will be awarded in January 2009. 

CARMA is run by an independent board of directors and is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners and trainers on equine retirement and working to unify the industry in support of our equine athletes.  Visit CARMA’s website at www.carma4horses.org. A 501(c )(3) non-profit charity, CARMA is actively seeking contributions.  Donations are tax deductable and may be sent to:  CARMA, PO Box 1086, Sierra Madre, CA 91025-9086. (Tax ID #80-0146395).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                            CONTACT:     Lucinda Mandella

Arcadia, CA – April 9, 2008                                                                            (626) 574-6618

CARMA Takes Shape

            The first board meeting of the newly formed charitable organization CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) was held at Santa Anita on Thursday, Mar. 20.  Making up the 12-member board of directors are Madeline Auerbach (Chair), Marsha Naify (Vice Chair), Doug O’Neill (Chief Financial officer), Jennifer Hagan (Secretary), Ron Charles, Drew J. Couto, Trevor Denman, Jan Hawthorne, Guy Lamothe, John Sadler, Samantha Siegel, and Gary Stevens.  CARMA was formed to help Thoroughbred rehabilitation and retirement facilities that care for and retrain horses whose careers have ended after competing in California Thoroughbred races.  CARMA will manage a grant request process and disburse funds to qualified retirement facilities caring for such horses.

“The first board meeting for CARMA is really one of the most historic events to occur in horse racing in the last decade,” said Naify. “For the first time, owners are stepping up to the plate and saying we need to take care of our horses – everyone’s horses.”

Now officially a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, CARMA is actively seeking contributions. A recent CHRB rule change established a deduction of three tenths of one percent of purse revenues to fund the charity.  “Even though the rule change provides for owners to “opt out” of the program, I feel that owners support for CARMA is strong and most will participate,” said Auerbach.  It is anticipated that other industry organizations, including trainers, jockeys and racing associations, will join in financially supporting CARMA. Tax deductable donations are now being accepted, and may be sent to: CARMA, P.O. Box 1086, Sierra Madre, Calif., 91025-9086. (Tax I.D. #80-0146395).

            Plans are also underway for the kick-off event for CARMA. The fundraising event – a poker tournament, with silent and live auctions – is tentatively scheduled for Thursday evening, August 21, in Del Mar.  For further information, please contact Lucinda Mandella at 626-574-6618.

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