Way To Help
Donation Methods
We accept donation by credit card and payments can also be mailed in to us.
By Mail: if you prefer to send in your donation by mail, please download, fill out this form and send it to us with your donation:
2025-2026 Donation Form
2025-2026 Donation Levels
Why sponsor RFTR?
Sponsorship directly supports veterinary care, training, and placement of these deserving horses into new, fulfilling careers. As a sponsor, your brand aligns with a compassionate, responsible cause that promotes equine welfare, industry sustainability, and community impact. You’ll gain visibility through events, community outreach, and educational programs while engaging with a passionate and loyal audience. Sponsorships may also be tax-deductible. Partnering with Run for the Ribbons means making a meaningful difference—not only in the lives of retired Thoroughbred racehorses but also in the lives of the people who support them and the broader community we serve. Your support helps foster awareness, compassion, and responsible care that extends well beyond the racetrack.
Sponsorship Packages
Sponsorship Form
We are currently seeking volunteers for our horse shows, retirement/retraining program and the 2025 Florida Thoroughbred Expo!
Sign-up today and a Run for the Ribbons team member will be in contact with you shortly!
Since that time, the program has grown by leaps and bounds, and ringing the bell has become a meaningful symbol of pride among horsemen and racing fans alike.
In the 2023–2024 race season, Run for the Ribbons Inc. and Tampa Bay Downs proudly brought this inspiring initiative to Florida. Donations made through Ring the Bell help support the care, retraining, and rehoming of retired racehorses as they transition into new careers or enjoy well-deserved retirement through Run for the Ribbons’ aftercare program and partners.
We are deeply grateful to our friends at the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation (ATRRF) for developing this wonderful program and for their support in helping us expand it to Florida. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for Thoroughbreds both on and off the track.
Education
Every time the bell rings, racing fans are reminded of the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare. At Tampa Bay Downs, the track announcer congratulates the winning connections and explains to the crowd why they just heard the bell celebrating not only the victory on the track but also the ongoing commitment to caring for the horses who make the sport possible. This message reaches fans at the track and thousands more watching the races from across the country.
Representatives from Run for the Ribbons and partners will also be present in the winner’s circle throughout the season, speaking with owners, trainers, and fans about the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare and how they can get involved. Between races, they’ll engage with spectators around the winner’s circle, sharing stories of retired racehorses thriving in new careers and educating the public about the many ways they can support aftercare initiatives.
“Every time the bell rings, it’s more than a sound; it’s a reminder that these incredible horses deserve our respect, gratitude, and care long after their racing days are over,” said Laurine Fuller-Vargas, President of Run for the Ribbons Inc. “Through this program, we’re bringing awareness to aftercare in a positive, visible way that connects fans directly to the heart of the sport, the Thoroughbred.”
Enjoy a day at the races at Tampa Bay Downs while supporting the cause!
The Ring the Bell Initiative came to Tampa Bay Downs in 2023. This program enables owners, trainers, and even the jockeys to donate directly from the winner’s circle to aftercare. The funds raised through the Ring the Bell program enabled Run for the Ribbons to support 30 horses retiring from racing at Tampa Bay Downs during the past 2 meets. (will have to be updated annually) We hope to see you in the winner’s circle at the upcoming meet and look forward to hearing you ring the bell, but if you can’t make it in person or just want to contribute to the cause, consider ringing our virtual bell today!
We hope to see you in the winner’s circle at the upcoming meet and look forward to hearing you ring the bell, but if you can’t make it in person or just want to contribute to the cause, consider ringing our virtual bell today!