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Keeneland’s Support Vital from Inception to Present

By: Jay Privman

The same rock-solid foundation that Keeneland has provided to Thoroughbred racing and sales has carried over to its contributions to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, for which Keeneland was a founding contributor and remains a steadfast supporter.

“We helped provide the seed money and continue to fund the organization,” said Dean Roethemeier, the assistant director of sales operations for Keeneland and a current board member of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “I’m lucky to work at Keeneland and with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Putting the horse first – it all comes back to that.”

Keeneland, along with the Breeders’ Cup and The Jockey Club, were the three organizations who provided the funding necessary to launch Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. In the years since, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has grown to 86 organizations and approximately 180 facilities that re-train and re-home Thoroughbreds for second careers, or give them a chance to live out their lives in dignity at retirement facilities. Those organizations and facilities have been in receipt of nearly $32 million.

Keeneland contributes on its own, as well as matching contributions made by buyers and consignors at its numerous sales.

“We’re grateful to our consignors and buyers who participate, and we match their contributions. It’s incumbent on everyone in the industry to reflect on if they’re giving their fair share to aftercare. The responsibility is on all of us. There’s a sense of responsibility to the horse, first and foremost. That’s where it starts.”

Dean Roethemeier Keeneland, Assistant Director of Sales Operations

“We’re grateful to our consignors and buyers who participate, and we match their contributions,” Roethemeier said. “It’s incumbent on everyone in the industry to reflect on if they’re giving their fair share to aftercare. The responsibility is on all of us. There’s a sense of responsibility to the horse, first and foremost. That’s where it starts.”

Roethemeier said the way Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is structured makes it the model for aftercare.

“They’ve got a great process in place for accreditation,” he said. “There’s a sense of confidence when contributing that your dollars are in good hands. TAA has come as close as anyone to solving aftercare. The program is in place. Now it’s a matter of funding, of scaling up.”

He, and Keeneland, are proud to be involved.

“Since Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance started, they’ve proven year-in and year-out that it works,” Roethemeier said. “It’s really been proven to be a great program.”

Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s supporters:

Keeneland’s Support Vital from Inception to Present

Keeneland’s Support Vital from Inception to Present

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