Funding for PHBA incentives are provided through the state’s Race the Thoroughbred horses that are going to race in PA and process the awards. We also market and promote the Thoroughbred horses and PA farms.” Keeping the Thoroughbred industry strong helps preserve open land. “We have approximately 500 breeders that register their horses with us each year,” Sanfratello said. “The additional money the breeders receive helps to keep their land open so they Photo by Emily Shields don’t have to sell it Unique Bella for development. Not only does it give them an additional boost to help out PA residents, you can see the amount of jobs that it also creates -- from the breeder to the blacksmith, the veterinarian, and the farm help. It is responsible for around 20,000 jobs.” Along Chester County roads, you may see signs posted by Thoroughbred farms, reading: Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund Supports This Open Land. The PHBA is also supportive of programs that help Thoroughbreds find new homes when their racing days are over. They may become fox hunters, polo ponies, dressage horses, or pleasure mounts. “Because of the hard work done by rehoming organizations like Turning For Home, based at PaRx, and New Start at Penn National, when our horses finish racing, they can have a second career,” Sanfratello said. “We want to make sure not only are the horses we breed taken care of during the time they are racing, but also after they’re finished racing,” he said. “Thoroughbreds make fantastic pleasure horses.” PHBA offices are at 701 E. Baltimore Pike, Suite E, Kennett Square. For more information, visit www.pabred.com. ——For
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