2020 TAA Accreditation Application Now Available
The 2020 application for accreditation by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is now available and can be accessed through ThoroughbredAftercare.org/Accreditation.
Sequel New York Stallion Show Shifts Focus to TAA
The 2020 Sequel New York Stallion show has been changed to an Open House. For every contract signed on site and for every winner of the Stallion season raffle, Sequel will donate $100 to the TAA on behalf of the breeder and will match the total at the end of the day. In lieu of a fancy sit-down dinner with lots of giveaways, hats and swag, this year the focus will be on the breeder. “We have received so much feedback from our breeders regarding the tragedy in Peru and our beloved stallion, The Lieutenant. While we are heartbroken, there is nothing that we can do about it. What we can do is to help raise money for an excellent program that helps horses here in the United States,” owner Becky Thomas said. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Since 2012, the TAA has awarded more than $17.2 million to accredited aftercare organizations. “We have been putting these shows on for many years and have spent so much money to do so. We feel the money will be better spent this way and it will give us the opportunity to spend time with our breeders and to talk to them about their horses,” Thomas added. “The new open house format also gives our breeders an opportunity to meet Dr. Bill McQuire, our new assistant manager, as well as welcoming our new 2020 interns from Arkansas to South Africa.” Stallions will be shown throughout the day and the raffle will be held the following Friday giving breeders more time to sign up. Standing at Sequel in 2020 are Freud, Destin, Laoban, Mission Impazible, Stephanoatsee, and Union Jackson. The Open House will take place Sunday, Jan. 19 from 12-4 at the farm in Hudson, NY. A light lunch will be served. For more details, please visit www.sequelnewyork.com or call the office (800) 925-2916. Photo: Sequel New York
#NeverEclipsed to Honor OTTBs at Eclipse Awards
The 49th annual Eclipse Awards Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park will pay tribute to OTTBs with a social media campaign #NeverEclipsed.
Jackhammer
Jackhammer ran three times for trainer Art Sherman in California before retiring to TAA-accredited After the Homestretch. The son of Stormy Jack has since found his place with ATH volunteer and adopter Kirsten Ghaster who, in the face of loss, chose to gain a new friendship.
TAA Elects John Phillips as President, New Board Members
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance board of directors elected John Phillips as its President for the 2020 term and elected three new board members at its meeting Dec. 30.
Spring to the Sky
The gelding raced until the age of 10, and following his 55th career start this past summer, he was retired. And now the multiple stakes-winning Spring to the Sky is a resident of TAA-accredited ReRun.
Nileist
Nileist retired from the track after 13 starts with a record of 2-5-2 and earnings of approximately $34,000.
Fighting Furrari
Better known as the primary horse used in the 2003 movie “Seabiscuit,” he has been retired from his duties as Santa Anita Park’s mascot and now lives at TAA-accredited Square Peg.
Far Right
He made a start in the Kentucky Derby (G1) with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith aboard before being retired to Second Stride.
Stormin Eddie
Stormin Eddie earned his warhorse status at 57 starts spanning seven seasons on the track. He retired to TAA-accredited Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana in 2012 with a record of 7-11-7 and earnings just under $170,000.