Sam Houston Begins 'Ring The Bell' For Aftercare

Sam Houston Race Park kicked off its 2025 Thoroughbred season on Friday, January 3 with live racing continuing Friday, Saturday and Sunday through April 6. The northwest Houston racetrack is pleased to announce a partnership with the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) and The Paddock Foundation on Ring The Bell for Thoroughbred Aftercare. Each live racing day, owners and trainers are invited to donate a portion of their purse winnings to The Paddock Foundation, the official aftercare program for the Texas Thoroughbred Association. Racing fans are also invited to contribute by filling out a form in the Winner's Circle and handing it to the Track Photographer. In recognition for their generosity, they will receive a photo and be recognized on the big screen television. Tracy Sheffield, Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Executive Director, looks forward to the launch of this fundraising program at Sam Houston Race Park. "There have been many very generous Texas Thoroughbred Association members who have supported Thoroughbred aftercare, and we are grateful for their support," acknowledged Sheffield. "We felt that kicking off the Ring The Bell for Thoroughbred Aftercare program at Sam Houston Race Park would be a great way of introducing this important cause to a new audience. What a better way to raise funds and garner attention to these amazing athletes than after a thrilling win." Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park's Vice President and General Manager is pleased to be a part of the program in the 2025 Sam Houston Race Park live racing season. "It is important for every racetrack to enlighten their fans on the importance of caring for racehorses after they retire from the sport," said Pettigrew. "To acknowledge a donor with a picture in the winner's circle by our photographer Jack Coady and show their generosity on our big screen television will be a thrill for them and a vehicle for encouraging more owners, trainers and fans to step up and donate!"