Hard-Won Victory in Hawthorne Bankruptcy Proceedings Provides Much-Needed Relief to Racing Community
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association is proud to announce that, through its determined efforts in the Hawthorne Race Course bankruptcy case, it has secured $700,000 in financial assistance for thoroughbred owners, trainers and backstretch workers affected by the track's premature closure.
The agreement represents a significant victory for Illinois horsemen and the many hardworking people whose livelihoods were disrupted by Hawthorne's closure. At a time when the racing community has suffered an enormous setback, the ITHA's achievement represents something tangible and meaningful for those who need it most.
Without the ITHA's initiative and persistence, none of this financial assistance would have been available.
The $700,000 will be divided equally between two assistance programs:
$350,000 for backstretch workers, distributed through the Illinois Backstretch Charitable Foundation's Displaced Assistance Program. The program is designed to help eligible grooms, assistant trainers, hot walkers, exercise riders and other backstretch workers who have been affected by Hawthorne's closure.
$350,000 for thoroughbred owners and trainers who participated in Hawthorne's shortened 2026 racing meet. The ITHA is finalizing a separate program to distribute these funds.
The ITHA engineered the agreement with the generous assistance of Aria Group Architecture + Design and W.E. O'Neil Construction, whose financial contributions helped facilitate the closing of the Hawthorne sale and made this assistance possible.
The ITHA also extends its appreciation to attorney Kevin Morse, whose legal work and dedication were instrumental in securing this outcome.
While no amount of financial assistance can fully compensate for the hardships caused by Hawthorne's closure, these funds will provide a measure of relief to the people who invested their time, labor and resources in keeping Illinois thoroughbred racing alive.
Assistance Expected to Arrive Before the Holidays
Meanwhile, the IBCF is completing preparations to distribute assistance to eligible backstretch workers. Applications for its Displaced Assistance Program remain open through 2 p.m. Friday, November 6, and the foundation expects to begin issuing checks in the coming weeks.
The goal is to begin getting assistance — for owners, trainers and backstretch workers — into the hands of recipients before the holidays.
For the owners, trainers and backstretch workers who have endured so much uncertainty, this assistance offers at least a small measure of financial relief as the holiday season approaches.
The closure of Hawthorne was a devastating blow to Illinois thoroughbred racing. But securing these funds is a meaningful victory — one made possible by the ITHA's commitment to standing up for the people who made our sport and industry possible.