by Michael Burns

Continuing a mission to help establish racetrack ministries throughout the world, leaders of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America recently concluded a long, successful trip to South America with stops in Chile, Peru, and Argentina. 

On a trip that began December 1 to follow up on the work that has been started in Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, an executive team from the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, stopped off in Lima, Peru.

The team was led by RTCA Assistant Executive Director Edward Smith and Chaplain Luis Peralta, who will relocate to Cordoba, Argentina, and will serve as the RTCA’s South American liaison to Smith.

The team visited with leaders from several segments of the racing industry, including track management, the Jockey Club, the jockey school, trainers, local community and church leaders, and media.

“The primary purpose to visit Peru was to introduce the concept of the racetrack ministry, which focuses on a holistic approach of serving the racetrack workers that serve in the horse racing industry,” Smith said. “It was a successful introductory visit, and it is the goal and hope of the RTCA to help establish a chaplaincy in Peru in 2009.”

The RTCA is a non-denominational ministry that serves people who serve in the horse industry. More information can be obtained at www.racetrackchaplaincy.org

Currently, RTCA sanctions and oversees 77 chaplains who serve at 117 tracks and training/breeding centers throughout North America and around the world.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent