The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association represents nearly 2,500 thoroughbred owners and trainers working around the year at Hawthorne Race Course.

Live racing supports horsemen and thousands of other workers statewide, including backstretch workers, veterinarians, breeders, feed and hay suppliers, blacksmiths, gate crew workers, the track secretary and horse entry clerks, security personnel, truck operators, food vendors, tellers, construction workers, waste management workers, and others.

Organization: 
The ITHA is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit benevolent service organization which is the successor organization to the Chicago division of the HBPA. For decades, the ITHA has acted as the collective bargaining agent between the horsemen and Chicagoland racetracks.

We represent our membership in its relationships with Hawthorne, at Illinois Racing Board meetings, at industry meetings throughout the country, and at the state Capitol in connection with legislation affecting horsemen and horse racing.

National Reach: 
The ITHA is an affiliate of the National Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which is comprised of THA groups in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. ITHA represents all owners and trainers licensed by the Illinois Racing Board who are in good standing and eligible to race at Hawthorne.

Governance: 
The ITHA is governed by a 12-member board made up of trainers and owners. Staggered elections are held two out of every three years. While ITHA bylaws require only six regular open board meetings per year; typically, monthly board meetings are held and open to the membership.
The ITHA is funded through a percentage of the purses at Hawthorne Race Course pursuant to Illinois state statute, which constitutes membership dues.

Benevolence:
The ITHA is the parent organization of the Illinois Backstretch Charitable Foundation (IBCF). The IBCF is the arm of the ITHA that provides benevolence to those that work and/or live on the backstretches of our tracks. The IBCF is run by a separate seven-member board.

Retired Horse Re-Homing: 
The ITHA is also the parent organization of Galloping Out. Galloping Out is a re-homing program for thoroughbreds retired from our tracks. Galloping Out is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization which is run by its own seven-member board. Click here to learn more about Galloping Out

Advocacy for Horsemen: 
The ITHA engages professional services in the fields of law, accounting, government affairs and communications to support and augment ITHA leaders in our ongoing efforts to protect the rights of horsemen. Our certified public accountants provide annual audits and oversee elections.
  
By statute, the ITHA has a seat on the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Thoroughbred Breeders Fund Advisory Board. The ITHA maintains a close working relationship with other racing associations in Illinois and across the United States to monitor issues important to our membership.

The ITHA keeps an open line of communication with race track management at Hawthorne, as well as with the Illinois Racing Board.

The ITHA maintains an open door policy and is available to discuss all issues or concerns.

The ITHA provides a variety of services including:
Claiming “Insurance” at a 50% rate ($10,000 maximum benefit)
Bill of Sale Paperwork
Notary Fax, Photocopy & Computer access
Bloodstock Research
Past Performance Charts
Overnights
Race Day Programs
Condition Books
Stall & Housing Applications
Other Racing Publications
Tongue Ties in the Paddock
Owner/Trainer Lounge including Shower Facilities

Subject to prescribed qualifications, we provide benefits to those who work with our horses at our tracks through the IBCF and ITHA Benefit Trust including the following:
College Scholarships
Food Vouchers
Eyeglasses
Medical, Dental & Prescription Payments
Sponsored Recreation Activities

The ITHA maintains an office and staff on the backstretch of Hawthorne to assist in these matters.

The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Inc. provides leadership and service to the finest horsemen we know, the Horsemen of Illinois.