The equine veterinarian works as an independent contractor, managing veterinary medicine for thoroughbred horses stabled on the backstretch of Hawthorne Race Course, and is compensated by the thoroughbred owners for each individual veterinary service provided. Based on the number of horses requiring veterinary care — approximately 400 horses stabled on the backstretch of Hawthorne during the meet will require veterinary care — this opportunity is potentially quite lucrative. The ITHA is offering incentives including a signing bonus, reimbursement for moving expenses, and a housing stipend.
Preferred Education:
Doctorate
Are you an equine veterinarian looking for a tremendous and potentially lucrative opportunity? Are you available to work as soon as possible? The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which represents thoroughbred owners and trainers racing at Hawthorne Race Course near Chicago, is recruiting an equine veterinarian to manage care of 400+ horses at Hawthorne during the upcoming race meet.
The meet begins Thursday, March 27 — so the veterinarian ideally will be available to work as soon as possible — and lasts through Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. We are offering competitive incentives to recruit the finest candidate for this opportunity.
At Hawthorne, the equine veterinarian will have access to a turnkey operation — the free use of a fully functioning veterinary clinic on the track’s backstretch and an assistant prepared to introduce the new vet to the backstretch population and racing customs. Contact David McCaffrey, the ITHA executive director, at (847) 577-6464 or info@itharacing.com to apply and/or request more details.
The equine veterinarian must be licensed, board certified, on site at Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero (just west of Chicago, near Midway Airport) as soon as possible, and available to continue work at Hawthorne until the completion of the thoroughbred race meet on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. The work schedule runs mostly from early morning until 1 or 2 p.m. On Thursdays and Sundays — race days — the workday begins in the morning and goes until late afternoon. A passion for horse racing is a definite plus!
About Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association
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.
