Source:  New Release

TRF ELECTS MICHAEL LAKOW TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Racing Official, Breeding Farm Manager, Active in Thoroughbred Racing Initiatives

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) announced today the unanimous election of Michael Lakow to its Board of Directors.

Lakow has been an integral part of the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry since the late 1970s. Currently at Monmouth Park, he has served the racing and breeding industries from New York to Dubai in many official capacities. Beginning in 1977, Lakow has held official positions in New York, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Dubai. For 12 years, Lakow was the Director of Racing at NYRA and managed Hill ‘n Dale Farm from 2005-1010. 

“I would like to thank the TRF board for acknowledging my thirty-five years of dedication to the thoroughbred industry”, Lakow said. “I am looking forward to working with the TRF to transition these talented equine athletes into a comfortable retirement."

Diana Pikulski, Executive Director of External Affairs for TRF, said: “Mike is the perfect candidate for the TRF board at this time. This is a critical time for the racing industry on its road to showing the public that as a business, it can plan for the meaningful retirement of its athletes.  Mike knows the inner working of the racing and breeding business. Our ability to work within the industry’s framework is a key element to our future success.” 

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) is the largest equine rescue organization of its kind, devoted to the rescue, retirement, rehabilitation and retraining of Thoroughbred racehorses no longer able to compete on the track.  We currently care for 1200 retired racehorses daily with more than 650 additional horses in adoptive homes. At re-training farms around the country, we prepare racehorses for adoption as riding horses.  At our correctional facility farms, we provide a vocational training program for inmates as they provide supervised care to our retired horses. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a place that offers a humane alternative to the dire possibilities that have long faced a great majority of ex-racers - neglect, abuse and slaughter. It is a place, built on love and caring, that is befitting such noble and deserving animals.