The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association created Galloping Out in cooperation with the Chicago-area tracks. The program is a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Illinois corporation, which began in April 2010 with ITHA Board Member Nate Ruffolo as the founding President. Galloping Out continues as an arm of the ITHA. Galloping Out is proudly accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. We are also sponsored by the Thoroughbred Charities of America and a member of Equine Welfare Data Collective.
Illinois horsemen are committed to re-homing our horses when they retire from racing at Hawthorne Racecourse. Galloping Out is an accredited organization that provides funding for the care, rehabilitation, and retraining of thoroughbred racehorses.
The program is funded by the ITHA, Hawthorne Race Course, and charitable contributions.
Racehorses re-homed through Galloping Out become family horses. When physically able, they are retrained for many things. They spend their days trail riding or jumping. They do dressage, play polo, and work with children with developmental disabilities. One has appeared in a military parade and another starred in a TV commercial.
Our horses are hosted near such Illinois communities as Fulton, Galena, Harvard, Machesney Park, Mendota, Plano, Rockford, Sleepy Hollow, and Yorkville.
Our horses also have found new homes in other states including Florida, Georgia, and Montana.
Galloping Out is thrilled with the number of horses that have found new homes under our program and works very hard to make this something that everyone involved in Chicago racing is proud of.