Toshiba Business Solutions has become the latest sponsor to join with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). Toshiba will be an NTRA Purchasing partner, offering significant discounts on Toshiba products to NTRA members, as well as the designated Official Business Solutions Provider to the NTRA and a media partner of NTRA/Breeders' Cup Limited.

Toshiba advertising will air during the NTRA-produced "Road to the World Thoroughbred Championships" programming on ESPN and on NBC's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Preview on Sept. 29, as well as NBC's five-hour telecast of the World Thoroughbred Championships from Arlington Park on Oct. 26.

Toshiba offers NTRA members savings on laptop computers, digital copiers, fax machines, laser printers, digital cameras, LCD projectors, network servers and document management tools through NTRA Purchasing.

"We are pleased to become an NTRA sponsor at a time when fan interest in racing is growing," said John Hunter, president of Toshiba Business Solutions. "Through our partnership with NTRA Purchasing, we also gain preferred access to the thousands of owners, breeders and employees of the Thoroughbred industry who rely on up-to-date business technologies to meet their everyday communications needs."

"Toshiba is a great fit for the horseracing industry," said Joe Morris, executive director of NTRA Purchasing. "With a line of products that can be used in all types of business applications, Toshiba also offers NTRA members outstanding value and pricing."

NTRA Purchasing is an NTRA subsidiary formed in January 2002 to deliver savings and value-added services to NTRA members through contracts with major national suppliers. Its current partners include John Deere, Sherwin-Williams, Toshiba Business Solutions, Boise Office Solutions, Automated Graphic Systems printing and Hallway Feeds. A portion of revenue generated by NTRA Purchasing supports NTRA programs and services to benefit the horse industry.

The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horseracing interests, including the American Quarter Horse Association, charged with increasing popularity of horseracing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA and Breeders' Cup Limited also conduct the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, Thoroughbred racing's year-end Championships consisting of eight races and $13 million in purses and awards, the Breeders' Cup Stakes Program and the Great State Challenge. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA Web site, ntra.com.