Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association represents nearly 2,500 owners and trainers who work year-round at Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Course.
The ITHA is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit benevolent service organization that is the successor to the Chicago division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. For more than half a century, the ITHA and its predecessor have acted as the collective bargaining agent between horsemen and Chicagoland racetracks.
The ITHA is governed by a 13-member board made up of trainers and owners. Staggered elections are held two out of every three years. The organization, which has a seat on the Illinois Department of Agriculture Thoroughbred Breeders Fund Advisory Board, is funded through a percentage of purses Arlington and Hawthorne pursuant to Illinois statute.
The ITHA is the parent of the Illinois Backstretch Charitable Foundation, which provides benevolence to those who work and/or live on the backstretches of racetracks. The IBCF is run by a separate seven-member board.
ITHA STAFF
David McCaffrey, Executive Director
Jay Ely, Galloping Out Coordinator
George Moreno, Administrative Assistant
Mena Perez, Administrative Assistant
BOARD MEMBERS
Chris Block, President
Owner Directors
Tom Fedro
Steve Holland
Rick Johnson
Michael Langdon
Marty Nixon
Trainer Directors
Mickey Goldfine
Patti Miller
Anthony Mitchell
Tom Swearingen
Terry Young
