Lexington, KY, July 31, 2014 ‘ The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) is pleased to announce the significant and growing support it is receiving from the sales sector.
While participation varies from sale to sale, comparing 2013 to 2014, the average Buyer participation at all sales has increased by 2.9% (49.5 to 52.4) with over half of Buyers now participating. Consignor participation at all sales grew 5.3% (72.5 to 77.8) with nearly 80% of Consignors getting behind TAA. During January this year through the end of June, Buyers have contributed $61,996.04; Consignors have contributed $81,789.95 and the Sales Companies have invested $106,625.45 in TAA’s mission to ensure industry-wide funding for accredited organizations that care for retired Thoroughbreds.
As of the end of June 2014, this has meant another $250,411.44 for TAA’s accredited aftercare partners, so far (billing can continue up to 90 days).
Last year, the TAA began benefiting from a joint decision made by competing sales companies to come together for a common cause. Buyers and Consignors at Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, the Ocala Breeders’ Sale Co., and Barretts Equine Limited have the opportunity to automatically contribute $.50 for every $1,000 transaction, or $25 to TAA for every $50,000 Thoroughbred that is bought or sold. Additionally, sales companies donate another .05% of gross sales to TAA.
‘Taylor Made, Eaton Sales, Summerfield Sales Agency, Select Sales Agency and many other sale participants have told me how proud they are to be a critical part of what TAA is doing to raise the industry standard for aftercare,’ said James Hastie, executive director of TAA. ‘We are grateful to see a growing number of Buyers and Consignors equally invested in promoting and supporting our mission.’
Look for TAA bookmarks at the upcoming sales. These useful tools not only mark pages in sale catalogues, but also summarize the TAA’s impact:
- One tax-deductible gift to TAA supports accredited aftercare organizations across USA and Canada;
- After one full year of operations, in 2013 TAA awarded $1,000,000 to 23 aftercare organizations managing 80 facilities across North America;
- Within the first 18 months of accreditation, TAA partners placed 960 Thoroughbreds and permanently retired 380;
- In 2014, another 29 organizations with 72 facilities applied for accreditation before the May 15th deadline (not all will be accredited and new TAA partners will be announced in November);
- TAA’s Code of Standards have been approved by the American Humane Association and American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Sales revenue is one element of TAA’s goal to establish a broad-based, automatic funding mechanism at every touch point in a Thoroughbred’s life. All but 26 of the top 100 stallions are currently donating 25% of one advertised season and for every foal that is registered, The Jockey Club is contributing $25 to support TAA’s accredited aftercare partners. Besides sales participants and 24 of the leading stallion farms (listed on thoroughbredaftercare.org), TAA’s executive board is reaching out to trainers, jockeys, race tracks, service providers and racing fans. Requesting small amounts across multiple touch points of a Thoroughbred’s life limits the burden placed on any one group. TAA believes to provide an industry-wide solution for aftercare, everyone benefiting from or enjoying Thoroughbred racing needs to share in the responsibility.
Based in Lexington, Ky., the TAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to serve as both an accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers, and a fundraising body to support these approved facilities. Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is comprised of and supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, jockeys, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. The American Humane Association and American Association of Equine Practitioners have approved TAA’s Code of Standards and accreditation process. For more information, please visit thoroughbredaftercare.org or call 859-224-2756.