Placement Program

About

California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) Placement Program facilitates the transition of Thoroughbreds from the racetrack to approved aftercare non-profit organizations better suited to place the horses into second careers or permanent sanctuaries.  As a service to Thoroughbred owners who need help retiring a race horse, CARMA’s Placement Program is a safe way to transition the horse into the next phase of its life. Based at Santa Anita Park with a satellite at Golden Gate Fields,CARMA serves owners throughout the State, working closely with the horse’s connections to ensure proper retirement steps are taken. Using a network of layup facilities specializing in rehabilitation, Thoroughbreds are provided the time they need to recuperate and adjust to life off the track.

Frequent communication with the staff entrusted with the daily care, safety and health of the horses, is a priority. Following an initial evaluation, veterinary reports, history and photos are sent to more than 20 aftercare charities who will continue to rehabilitate, retrain and ultimately find the horse a second career as a riding horse, companion, or offer them permanent sanctuary.

Since it’s introduction in 2012, the CARMA Placement Program has assisted more than 350 retired racing Thoroughbreds and has expanded from the management of five horses at a time to over 12.

Eligibility

There are three major requirements for a horse to join the program:

1. Owners of the horse must participate in the 0.03% (3/10 ths of 1%) purse contribution program adopted by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB).

2. The horse must have raced or have a recorded work at a CHRB recognized track or training center in the last six months (Santa Anita Park, Los Alamitos, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Golden Gate Fields, San Luis Rey Downs or CARF).

3. The horse must be a gelding, filly or mare. Intact males must be gelded prior to acceptance.

How To Retire Your Racehorse Using CARMA

1.  Call us at (626) 574-6622
2.  Complete the 2021 CARMA Horse Questionnaire (Click to Download) or submit an application online
3.  Sign the 2021 CARMA Transfer and Surrender Form (Click to Download)
4.  Provide a $500 donation to CARMA

 

What to Expect

After contact is made, a representative from CARMA will meet with the trainer, observe the horse and secure pertinent information including history and condition. Once completed, a $500 donation to CARMA is due, which is applied directly toward the first month of care. Before the horse is transported, the Transfer & Surrender form must be signed by both parties. CARMA does its best to accommodate your horse as quickly as possible, but please be patient, as it can take some time.

What Happens Next

For their health, rehabilitation, and a rest period, horses are relocated to one of several layup facilities CARMA has access to across California. When ready, each horse is then strategically placed with the approved aftercare charity best suited to the horse’s temperament and physical condition. CARMA can and will provide periodic updates on horses in the Placement Program when requested. Once a horse is transferred from a lay-up facility and placed with an aftercare charity, owners are encouraged to periodically contact that organization for updates.