CTT Media Release (03/04/26): ARCADIA, CA, March 4, 2026 -- California Thoroughbred Trainers [CTT] President John Sadler has announced that trainer Jorge Periban has accepted the unanimous invitation of CTT's Directors to join the CTT board, effective immediately. [CTT]: Full Media Release CTT Media Release (01/13/26): ARCADIA, CA, January 12, 2026 -- Trainer John W. Sadler has been elected President of the Board of Directors of California Thoroughbred Trainers, Inc. [CTT],: Full Media Release CTT Alert (03/18/25): The Annual Election for open seats on the CTT Board of Directors is under way. Please see link announcing Election Nominating Committee members and details re upcoming CTT General Nominating meeting to be held Thursday, 3/27/2025: https://tinyurl.com/mryhxc3k CTT Alert (02/25/25): Southern California Stabling and Relocation. For trainers moving their horses to So Cal during the month of March, please contact Jason Egan at jason.egan@santaanita.com or by phone at (859) 230-3625 for So Cal stabling accommodation and Joe Hasson at vanning@toconline.com for instructions on how to qualify for one-way reimbursement. CTT Alert (02/03/25): Please see link for REVISED S/C Stabling & Vanning Reimbursement Policy for horses stabled at Pleasanton and racing at Santa Anita Park: https://tinyurl.com/2b8ky4ys CTT Alert (12/05/24) : See HISA instructions link re new 150-Day Layoff reporting requirements that start 12/5/24. A layoff report must be submitted prior to entry for any horse that hasn't raced in 150 days. HISA will notify Trainers when a horse has been off for 140 days. Trainers must use the HISA electronic form found on the HISA portal. HISA recommends these reports be uploaded 10-14 days prior to entry. https://tinyurl.com/3yxux8ew CTT Alert (12/05/24) : Trainers are advised to be compliant with HISA regarding new 150-Day Layoff reporting requirements that start Dec 5, 2024. A layoff report must be submitted prior to entry for any horse that has not raced in 150 days. Trainers will be notified by HISA when a horse has been off for 140 days. Trainers must use the HISA electronic form found on the HISA portal. HISA recommends these reports be uploaded 10-14 days prior to entry. CTT ALERT (9/26/24): See link for IMPORTANT MESSAGE from CHRB Medical Director Dr. Jeff Blea re Equine Infectious Anemia-EIA, identified in a Quarter Horse at Los Alamitos: https://tinyurl.com/sypy77yt CTT ALERT (9/25/2024, 3:55 PM): REMINDER: Every horse that has NOT had a recorded work or race within the past 90 days MUST be examined per CHRB Rule 1846.2, in EFFECT AS OF JULY 1, 2023. See links for official rule requirements notice from Dr. Jeff Blea and related fill-in Veterinary Treatment Record forms. https://tinyurl.com/36r966ka Fill-In Form: https://tinyurl.com/277urner Word Doc Form: https://tinyurl.com/2kd4yesj CTT ALERT (12/27/2023, 2:55 PM): See link for important CHRB Advisory re Caffeine detected in EPO-EQUINE Supplements: http://tinyurl.com/3nf5f6d2 CTT ALERT (11/18/2023, 8:00 AM): See link for TDN article of 11/15/2023 - HISA Town Hall: Lawyers, Positive Test Rates, and Rule Changes:
https://tinyurl.com/bdz867xb CTT ALERT (11/17/2023, 8:00 AM): See link for CHRB notice re Regulatory Amendment
of Rule 1867, Prohibited Veterinary Practices, effective NOVEMBER 8, 2023:
https://tinyurl.com/2s4xz4ck CTT Alert (11/16/2023, 12:29 PM): See link for HISA/HIWU "Know Your Rights" fact sheet information for Covered Persons re the Anit-Doping and Medication Control Program: https://tinyurl.com/3rwmadce ATTEN GGF Trainers: (11/9/2023, 4:32 PM) UC Davis will be back out on Sunday for free heart/lung scans. This will be their last visit for this particular study, so if you are interested in a free scan, please contact Dr. Batten. Horses for the study must work on Sunday (any distance). CTT ALERT: TODAY (10/30/2023) at 11:00 a.m. (PT), NTRA Optional Media Training Calls. See link for details with NTRA Talking Points: https://tinyurl.com/mwaejv26 CTT ALERT: (10/30/23, 8:50 AM) See link for important Breeders' Cup Training & Paddock Schooling schedule during period 10/29-11/2/23 for all horses stabled at Santa Anita Park: https://tinyurl.com/47ferdfr Click Here To
View Past Notices CTT Alert (03/18/25): The Annual Election for open seats on the CTT Board of Directors is under way. Please see link announcing Election Nominating Committee members and details re upcoming CTT General Nominating meeting to be held Thursday, 3/27/2025: https://tinyurl.com/mryhxc3k

Welcome! We’re Committed to California
Thoroughbred racing and California trainers.

California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) is the state-authorized organization formed for the express purpose of representing the best interests of our member trainers to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), the racing associations, various racing entities, and the general public. All California-licensed Thoroughbred trainers automatically become members when starting a horse for the first time. There are no applications to complete or dues to pay — we are here to advocate for them, assist them, and support them in the hard work they do to take care of the elite racing horses of our industry and sport.

Our History

Our predecessor organization, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA), was founded in 1940 to provide assistance to owners, trainers, and stable employees “in times of illness, adversity,  or sudden disaster.” Seven years later, the HBPA-California Division was established to support Thoroughbred owners and trainers in increased influence in the development of the Thoroughbred racing industry in California. In 1995, statutory representation of horsemen in California was changed, and CTT began its  current representation of all California Thoroughbred trainers and the backstretch community.

What does California Thoroughbred Trainers Do?

Our original purpose of aiding, assisting and advocating for California trainers remains at the core of our work, and over time, we’ve expanded the scope of our activities and services.

Today CTT provides trainers with numerous, important complimentary  services. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Representation to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB)
  •  Acting as a voice for trainers in the California legislature · Monitoring each racetrack regarding overall track safety and negotiating race meet contracts
  • Working to improve stable area conditions for workers and horses · Ensuring backstretch security is competent and fair
  • Acting as a liaison with organizations representing other racing interests, such as the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation, Post Time Self-Insurance Group
  • Administering a retirement savings pension plan for all backstretch personnel, including trainer-employers · In conjunction with the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation (CTHF), ensuring a variety of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, dental, and optical services, are provided
  • Conducting and supporting continuing education programs/seminars for the membership
  • Offering recreational outings, picnics and holiday parties for members
  • Operating low-cost snack shops on the backstretch of several California racetracks
  • Conducting English classes and other educational programs for backstretch workers
  • Operating a recreation and sports program for backstretch employees
  • Hosting programs for legal immigration and naturalization (H-2B Visa Program) for backstretch workers
  • Liaison with the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America program
  • Providing members with Trainer magazine, a quarterly publication containing industry news, information, and features pertinent to California horsemen. (Note: CTT members are entitled to a free copy of each issue of Trainer magazine. If you are not receiving Trainer magazine and would like to, please send an email to acarmona@caltrainers.org.)
  • Promoting horse racing to the general public
  • Supporting scientific research
  • Providing information and acting as a referral resource for employer/employee labor rules & regulations
  • Providing pedigree and performance reports at a reduced cost
  • Connecting trainers with interested parties, upon request
  • Offering free notary services

… and much more

Our onging projects:

Other programs offered by CTT include:

  • Ensuring that liability insurance is provided for eligible members who meet  policy requirements
  • Regularly distributing vital industry-related information to membership via mail,  email, text, fax, flyers
  • Monitoring trends in Thoroughbred horse racing
  • Supporting periodic major studies of the contributing factors of racing injuries
  • Supporting charitable activities with the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation and the CTHF
  • Promoting reduction of workers’ compensation premiums through Post Time Self- Insurance  Group (PTSIG), the California Horsemen’s Safety Alliance (CHSA) & California Thoroughbred  Business League (CTBL)

How is CTT Organized?

The state of California is divided (just south of Fresno) into two administrative areas:  Southern and Northern California.

CTT is headed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected by vote of the membership, with  at least three directors elected to represent Northern California.

Staff is available in both Northern and Southern California to provide assistance and information to the membership at their request, as well as to manage the Board’s projects. We are also available to answer questions and assist the public with matters involving everything from selecting a trainer to finding a job on the backstretch.