Our Mission

“The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Inc. is dedicated to representing the owners and trainers of thoroughbred horses that race at Hawthorne Race Course. The ITHA is committed to continually improving the working conditions of thoroughbred horsemen and their employees, providing benevolence to those who work on the backstretch and being the voice of all horsemen for the integrity, safety and health of those involved in Illinois racing. The ITHA also works to promote the best interests of Illinois thoroughbred horsemen before state and federal government entities and trade organizations.”

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 more than half a century, the ITHA and its predecessor have acted as the collective bargaining agent between the horsemen and Chicagoland racetracks.