THE TAA SUMMER NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
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MORE BUYERS AND CONSIGNORS SUPPORTING AFTERCARE IN FIRST HALF OF 2014
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.
TAA GETS $100,000 GIFT FROM GULFSTREAM PARK
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will receive $100,000 from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Program at Gulfstream Park. The donation, announced June 18, will be distributed to accredited aftercare facilities, including Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care. Gulfstream’s eight-decade commitment to giving back to the Thoroughbred community through philanthropic partnerships, donations, and outreach programs endures at the local and national levels. More than $250,000 has been raised the past two years through charitable events to support Thoroughbred aftercare organizations and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Released by Bloodhorse.com
FANS HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO ‘RIDE’ CALIFORNIA CHROME AT BELMONT STAKES
Lexington, KY (June 3, 2014) ‘ Racing fans at Belmont Park looking for a timely keepsake of California Chrome’s bid for a Triple Crown can visit a special Green Screen photo booth on the first floor grandstand (near the winner’s circle) on Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 7th to promote the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). Fans can support the retirement, retraining and adoption of former racehorses across North America with a $10 contribution and have their picture superimposed onto a racing photograph of California Chrome. Tagged images can be immediately uploaded to social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, or email) and fans will receive a souvenir ‘4 x 6’ photograph. The booth is sponsored by Daily Racing Form (DRF), and 100% of the proceeds will go to Thoroughbred aftercare. “Sherman Racing is proud to do all we can for The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. It is important what they do, so bringing attention to that is important to us,” said Alan Sherman, assistant trainer of California Chrome, whose connections graciously granted permission to the TAA initiative. “Every now and then the stars align and afford superior opportunities to promote our sport, celebrate an incredible race horse, engage a broad spectrum of fans and partner with the finest racing operation all while providing important support for our retired racing stars,” said John Hartig, Chairman and CEO, Daily Racing Form. “California Chrome, Belmont Park, DRF and the TAA teaming up for the good of our sport is one of those great opportunities and we certainly are proud to be a part of this effort.” ‘DRF and Sherman Racing have given TAA an unparalleled opportunity to reach out to a broader audience during an extremely special time for the Thoroughbred racing community,’ said TAA Executive Director James Hastie. ‘Given the crowd anticipated to be on hand for a potential Triple Crown victory ‘ our volunteers and I are going to try and raise $25,000 to support the outstanding work being done by our accredited partners for the Thoroughbreds under their care.’ Credentialed media to receive complimentary photographs. TAA board members will be available at the TAA/DRF booth for interviews. Please contact James Hastie to make arrangements at (315) 263-5326. ABOUT Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance 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. ABOUT DAILY RACING FORM Daily Racing Form, ‘America’s Turf Authority since 1894″ for Thoroughbred racing horseplayers and professionals throughout North America is the Thoroughbred industry’s dominant multi-channel media company. Launched in 1894, Daily Racing Form is the only daily newspaper in the U.S. dedicated solely to the coverage of a single sport, publishing up to 2,000 unique pages of statistical and editorial copy every day, in as many as 20 daily editions, 364 days a year. Its companion website, www.DRF.com is the most heavily-trafficked horseracing destination, providing players with the most extensive news coverage in racing, interactive past performances, exclusive handicapping tools, and access to DRF Bets’, America’s fastest growing online and mobile wagering platform. In 2012, Daily Racing Form introduced DRF Breeding, a business dedicated to serving the Breeding industry, bringing expanded coverage/tools to horseplayer and breeding enthusiasts alike.
THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTES SECOND HALF OF 2013-2014 GRANTS
Lexington, KY. ‘ May 7, 2014 ‘ Madeline Auerbach, vice president of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Foundation (TAA) board of directors, announced today that the TAA has distributed the second half of $1,000,000 in grants awarded to 23 accredited aftercare organizations. TAA’s first round of funding was announced in December 2013. TAA grants are distributed in two equal payments, six months apart to give the TAA accreditation committee time to monitor each organization’s progress and ability to maintain TAA’s Code of Standards. Grant awards are based on a comprehensive review by the TAA Grants Committee and board. TAA grants are designated to support the direct care TAA’s aftercare partners provide to the Thoroughbreds they retire, retrain and place into new homes. ‘We’ve made great progress in a short period of time,’ said Auerbach. ‘Thanks to seed funding provided in 2012 by Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., The Jockey Club, Keeneland Association, and all of our donors ‘ from stallion farms, sales companies and racetracks to owners, breeders and fans: your support made these grants possible.’ ‘We’re very pleased to provide this funding to our accredited partners in recognition and support of their extraordinary efforts to care for our retired Thoroughbred athletes,’ stated Jack Wolf, TAA board president and Thoroughbred owner. ‘The organizations and people behind TAA took a major step forward for the industry in providing a long-term strategy for Thoroughbred aftercare and we’re all very proud.’ TAA accredited facilities receiving the second half of their 2013-2014 TAA grants this week are: Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue – Pawling, N.Y. Angel Acres Horse Haven – Glenville, Pa. CANTER, California – Los Gatos, Calif. CANTER, Ohio – Mentor, Ohio Equine Encore ‘ Tucson, Ariz. Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care ‘ Palm City, FL Glen Ellen Vocational Academy – Glen Ellen, Calif. Humanity for Horses – Mt. Shasta, Calif. Kentucky Equine Humane Center ‘ Lexington, Ky. Long Run Thoroughbred Retirement Society ‘ Toronto, Ontario (Canada) Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue – Chesapeake City, Md. Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement’ Salem, Conn. Neigh Savers Foundation – Walnut Creek, Calif. New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society ‘ Surrey, British Columbia (Canada) New Vocations ‘ Marysville, Ohio Old Friends ‘ Georgetown, Ky. ReRun – Virginia Beach, Va. Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, Norco, Calif. The Exceller Fund ‘ Lexington, Ky. Thoroughbred Placement Resources – Upper Marlboro, Md. Tijuana River Valley Animal Rescue – San Diego, Calif. TROTT USA – Laguna Hills, Calif. United Pegasus Foundation ‘ Tehacapi, Calif. 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. To support the TAA, please visit thoroughbredaftercare.org or call 859-224-2756.
THE TAA SPRING NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
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THE TAA JANUARY NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
Click here to see the January issue of our newsletter.
READ OUR DECEMBER 2013 NEWSLETTER!
Click here to read the December Newsletter which highlights our recent facility accreditations, grant awards, Wear to Care Campaign recap and a whole lot of interesting news! If you haven’t already, please join our mailing list!
THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE AWARDS $1,000,000 IN GRANTS TO TAA ACCREDITED FACILITIES
Tucson, Ariz. ‘ December 11, 2013 ‘ Madeline Auerbach, Board Vice President of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), announced today that the TAA has awarded a total of $1,000,000 in grants to its 23 accredited facilities. Auerbach, joined by TAA Executive Director James Hastie and several other TAA Board members in attendance, made the announcement today at the 2013 Global Symposium on Racing & Gaming, presented by the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program, at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson, Ariz. This is the first round of financial grants that the TAA has awarded since its formation in February 2012. Individual grant awards were based on a comprehensive review by the TAA Grants Committee and Board, and the grants will be used for the ongoing care of retired Thoroughbreds. ‘We’re very pleased to award these grants to our accredited facilities, to recognize and support their efforts to care for our retired Thoroughbred athletes,’ stated Jack Wolf, TAA Board President and Thoroughbred owner. ‘Since the TAA was formed nearly two years ago, many people have been working diligently to fulfill the TAA’s mission of accrediting aftercare facilities and financially supporting them ‘ and I’m thrilled to say that vision became a reality today. This is a major step forward for the industry in providing a long-term strategy for Thoroughbred aftercare, and we’re all very proud. I’d also like to extend a special thank you to Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., The Jockey Club, Keeneland Association, and all of our donors’from stallion farms, sales companies and racetracks to owners, breeders and fans: your support made these grants possible.’ Following is a complete list of TAA accredited facilities receiving grant awards: Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue – Pawling, N.Y. Angel Acres Horse Haven – Glenville, Pa. CANTER, California – Los Gatos, Calif. CANTER, Ohio – Mentor, Ohio Equine Encore ‘ Tucson, Ariz. Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care ‘ Palm City, FL Glen Ellen Vocational Academy – Glen Ellen, Calif. Humanity for Horses – Mt. Shasta, Calif. Kentucky Equine Humane Center ‘ Lexington, Ky. Long Run Thoroughbred Retirement Society ‘ Toronto, Ontario (Canada) Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue – Chesapeake City, Md. Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement’ Salem, Conn. Neigh Savers Foundation – Walnut Creek, Calif. New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society ‘ Surrey, British Columbia (Canada) New Vocations ‘ Marysville, Ohio Old Friends ‘ Georgetown, Ky. ReRun – Virginia Beach, Va. Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, Norco, Calif. The Exceller Fund ‘ Lexington, Ky. Thoroughbred Placement Resources – Upper Marlboro, Md. Tijuana River Valley Animal Rescue – San Diego, Calif. TROTT USA – Laguna Hills, Calif. United Pegasus Foundation ‘ Tehacapi, Calif. 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. To support the TAA, please visit thoroughbredaftercare.org or call 859-224-2756.
NEW YORK HORSEMEN STEP UP FOR THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE
Lexington, KY ‘ April 28, 2014 ‘ The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) has joined the growing list of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Foundation (TAA) supporters. Beginning with the Belmont Park spring meet, which opens Thursday, owners competing on the New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit will donate $5 per start to the TAA, it was announced today. The tax-deductible donations are expected to total $100,000 per year . ‘The TAA is less than two years old, and already so many members of the racing and breeding industries have stepped forward to help us get closer to our goal of providing a long-term plan for Thoroughbred aftercare,’ said TAA Board President Jack Wolf. ‘We want to thank the New York horsemen, and their president, Rick Violette, for adding their support to this important initiative. Because of the enthusiastic response from the owners, breeders and trainers, as well as the stud farms, sales companies and racetracks, what we envisioned in 2012 is approaching reality more quickly than we could have imagined.’ ‘Five dollars per start is a small price to pay to ensure that our racehorses are well cared for when they retire from the track,’ said NYTHA President Rick Violette Jr., who is also on the Board of the TAA. ‘New York’s horsemen have always taken this responsibility very seriously, demonstrating their commitment to equine aftercare by creating the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Thoroughbred Retirement Program. Joining the TAA is a natural extension of our efforts on behalf of the horses. We are pleased to be able to support an organization that has, in a very short time, had a profound impact on the lives of retired racehorses.’ 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. In December 2013, TAA awarded $1,000,000 to 23 accredited organizations managing 80 aftercare facilities across the U.S. and Canada. To apply for accreditation, or to support the TAA, please visit thoroughbredaftercare.org or call 859-224-2756. The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association represents the owners and trainers racing at NYRA tracks, providing benevolence to the backstretch community, safeguarding horsemen’s financial interests and supporting equine aftercare and research. For more information, go to www.nytha.com.