ThoroFan and ThoroFan-South Florida Donate to Thoroughbred Aftercare

ThoroFan's give $1000.00 at a race named for ThoroFan at Gulfstream Park, January 2013. ThoroFan split the net proceeds from the First Annual ThoroFan Awards Brunch held during Eclipse Awards weekend.

The Tim Reynolds Memorial Fund

Fans Helping Fans - Tim Reynolds, an avid racing fan, passed away prematurely leaving behind a wife and 8-year old daughter. ThoroFan's Board of Directors voted to allow ThoroFan's 501(c)(3) designation to serve as the conduit for funds in cooperation with Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable to offer the assurance of education to Tim's daughter.

Belmont Park Child Care Association

ThoroFans volunteer yearly at the Anna House, Belmont Park Child Care Association’s annual fund raiser assisting to raise money for Anna House and the child care services they provide.

Coloring Book Contest

"Rachel - Girl Power" coloring book contest. Children’s coloring book (written & produced by ThoroFans) contest which promoted creativity, charitable giving and appreciation of Thoroughbred racing in young children and their families. (1500 books given away)

Clothing Drive for Backstretch Workers

Clothing drive to benefit backstretch workers ThoroFan Saratoga Chapter, B.E.S.T. and Virgil's House, Saratoga Springs, NY gather donated clothing and supplies.

Backstretch Employees Service Team

ThoroFan Saratoga Chapter volunteers work with B.E.S.T. to pepare for arrival of backstretch workers at Saratoga.

Preakness Party Fundraiser

Cooperative sponsorship between New York Thoroughbred Breeders and ThoroFan Saratoga Chapter. Hosted by Tiznow Restaurant, Saratoga Springs, NY. A benefit for Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

ThoroFan Corner

ThoroFan-Saratoga Chapter in cooperation with NYRA (New York Racing Assoc.) developed and hosts a private area for ThoroFans to watch the EARLY morning workouts at the historic Saratoga Race Course.

Historical Tidbits

Allan Carter, Historian for The National Museum provides weekly histories of the races handicapped at ThoroFan's Handicappers' Corner. He began this in 2009 by providing daily historical tidbits regarding the day’s races at Saratoga Race Course. These were given out at the ThoroFan table and provided to attendees at ThoroFan Corner.

2010 Guide to Saratoga Race Course Trainers' Saddle Towels

The 2010 edition of the "Guide to Saratoga Race Course Trainers’ Saddle Towels” booklet is published and offered free to the public. This booklet contains images of the trainers' unique saddle towels as an aid for Thoroughbred racing fans to identify trainers, saddle towels while watching the morning workouts at the track. This year the booklet was completely sponsored by local Saratoga businesses and racing entities.

Guide to Saratoga Trainers' Saddle Towels

The inaugural edition of the "Guide to Saratoga Race Course Trainers’ Saddle Towels” booklet is published. A photographic collection of Saratoga trainers’ saddle towels. This booklet contains over 100 images as an aid for Thoroughbred racing fans to identify trainers saddle towels while watching the morning workouts at the track.

“From the Horse Farm to the Finish-Line”

'An introduction to the Thoroughbred's process in racing' This partnership among Fasig-Tipton, New York Thoroughbred Breeders, NYRA (New York Racing Assoc.)and ThoroFan was provided free to over 450 attendees. Speakers where Wayne Lucas, trainer; Meg Levy, consigner; Bobby Flay, owner.

Private Education Programs

ThoroFan gave educational forums to private parties at the Saratoga Race Course to enhance their racing experience.

Residence Inn Education Program

ThoroFan Saratoga Education Committee developed a morning educational program offered free to Residence Inn guests. It was created and taught by ThoroFans.

Non-Credit College Course

'Handicapping the Horses'
Non-credit college course given in (New York) on handicapping the Kentucky Derby for beginners.

On Track Daily Fan Education

Saratoga Race Course.
ThoroFan provided 36 days of fan education free to over 1200 fans. This effort was supported by Daily Racing Form and many racing celebrities.

2008-2009 Daily Information Table

Daily information table manned by volunteers every day of both the 2008 and 2009 Saratoga racing meets.

ThoroFan Awards Brunch Launched at Eclipse Awards Weekend

The First Annual ThoroFan Awards Brunch was held at Gulfstream Park during Eclipse Awards Weekend, January 2013. Many industry sponsors donated to and attended this fan event. The first awards were give to honor Mr. and Mrs. Wolfson and their horse Affirmed along with Horse Racing Nation's 'Fan of the Year', Ryan Brady. Nick Zito gave the keynote speech.

ThoroFan Named Vice Chairman to the New York State Fan Adviosory Council

NTRA Race Track Accreditation Committee Begins to Formally Interview Fans

ThoroFans were invited by NTRA and formally interviewed during Saratoga Race Track's reaccreditation . The process went so well that NTRA Accreditation Committee has requested ThoroFan to gather such groups across the country to offer fan insight into accreditaion of tracks as they accredit and reaccredit.

ThoroFan Members Appointed to the New York State Fan Adviosry Council

NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance Advisory Board

ThoroFan’s Chairman was appointed by the (NTRA) to the its Safety & Integrity Alliance Advisory Board as a fan representative to bring fan input to the accreditation of race tracks.

Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance sponsors ThoroFan’s Handicappers’ Corner

Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance (TBA), partners with ThoroFan by developing 'Handicappers' Corner'. This is a weekly handicapping of key races using an educational component to teach fans techniques for winning handicapping. As fans understand the intricacies of the race their enjoyment tends to increase. Gene Kershner (handicapper with TBA and ThoroFan board member coordinates this effort.

ThoroFan Selected by National Thoroughbred Association to judge 2010 Annual Simulcast Awards

The National Thoroughbred Association selected ThoroFan as one of three organizations to be official judges of their annual 2010 Simulcast Awards. Ten tracks submitted applications which included DVDs demonstrations of their simulcast operations.

International Simulcasting Conference

2009 International Simulcasting Conference
ThoroFan representatives gave presentations on the fans, perspective of improvements needed in simulcasting at the

In January of 2010 ThoroFan took a Position for New York members on cancellation of Belmont Stakes and Saratoga Meet

As a result of financial difficulties New York racing Association announced that the Belmont Stakes and the Saratoga meet were in jeopardy. ThoroFan, at the behest of members, took the position that the races must be held, arguing that they were a New York and national tradition.

ThoroFan Presents Yearly at NTRA's National Handicapping Contest

ThoroFan, thank you to NTRA's invitation, has been able to promote the concept of a fan organization and a platform for the voice of the fan to some of the nation’s most serious horseplayers. Responses were positive.

National Horse Benevolent and Protective Association .

Thorofan was invited to present at the 2009 Annual meeting.

National Steeplechase Association

ThoroFan Saratoga Chapter volunteers give their time for the National Steeplechase Association's annual day at the races.

NTRA Speaking Invitation
01-01-2009
National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) invited ThoroFan's chairman to present to the marketing directors of its member tracks at its winter marketing meeting in Las Vegas.

New Chapters Begin

- ThoroFan-Monmouth fully established April 2011
- ThoroFan-Kentucky and
- ThoroFan-Colorado begin development.
- Gulfstream Park invites ThoroFan to research a chapter.

NYState Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering Advances Bill to Establish Fan Advisory Board

The New York State Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering after hearing ideas presented at the February hearing proposed amending the New York State racing law. Many of the amendments come from ThoroFan’s testimony. The new law when passed will create: (1) Fan Advisory Board, (2) I Love New York Horse Racing Campaign and (3) Race Horse Farm Annual Award. This legislation will likely transform racing in New York State.

February (2011), ThoroFanTestified on Fan Issues Before the New York State Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering

The voice of the fan was heard in New York at the NYS Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering on February 7, 2011. This was significant as it was the first time, this committee recognized the fan as an important player in solving racing’s problems and building the future of the sport in New York. The response was phenomenal.

501(c)(3) Public Charity Status

ThoroFan received its nonprofit 501(c)(3) Public Charity status from the IRS on August 12, 2010. It's status is retroactive to July 11, 2008.

Incorporation

ThoroFan received its papers as a New York not-for-profit corporation.

Pilot Chapter Established

ThoroFan Saratoga Chapter
ThoroFans in Saratoga Springs, New York launched our pilot chapter. This group worked to build the structure for all chapters to come.

Chapter Benefits

ThoroFan Saratoga reaches out for community cooperation with the establishing of merchant discounts and sponsorships. These benefits are offered year round to all ThoroFans.

Advisory Board Additions

ThoroFan’s Advisory Board went public with the addition of Hall of Fame Trainer, Nick Zito and within a few months announced the addition of jockey Richard Migliore.

Membership

ThoroFan has members in 30 states and three countries.

ThoroFan Acquires Media Credentials

Numerous race tracks accepted ThoroFan as a fully operating equine media source and offered press credentials to our writers and photographers.