ABR Preakness Party to Benefit TAA
Tickets are now on sale for the fifth annual America’s Best Racing Pre-Preakness Party, to be held May 16, 2018, at the Mt. Washington Tavern in Baltimore. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be the beneficiary of all tickets sold and a silent auction at the event.
TAA at the National HBPA Convention
The TAA’s Stacie Clark moderated a panel on aftercare March 15 at the National HBPA conference in New Orleans, La. The panel included Benard Chatters, Dr. Emily Weiss, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jessica Hammond.
TAA To Be Part of Champions Day at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs announced March 15 Champions Day presented by Twinspires.com, a new Derby Week event that will take place at the racetrack May 1. Proceeds from a poster signing will to go the TAA.
TAA Accreditation Application Available Online
Press release published on Thoroughbred Daily News on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s 2018 Accreditation Application is now available on its website, the organization announced Tuesday. Thoroughbred aftercare organizations interested in applying for TAA accreditation must do so by 6:00 p.m. EST Apr. 15, 2018. Because the TAA has a two-year accreditation protocol, organizations that were accredited in 2016 will need to re-apply by that date. The application is available online here. Submitted applications are evaluated on five key areas: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Organizations passing the application review will be subject to site inspections of all facilities housing their horses by representatives of the TAA. “The TAA application is a rigorous process that includes a comprehensive review of an organization’s management, practices, and procedures as well as inspections of facilities and horses,” said John Phillips, president of the TAA and owner of Darby Dan Farm. “Supporters of our mission can be sure that if an organization is TAA accredited, they provide the highest of care for the Thoroughbreds in their program.” For more information on the requirements for accreditation, click here.
Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Elects New Board Members
Press release published on Monday, December 18, 2017 in the Thoroughbred Daily News. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has elected four new members to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1, the organization announced Monday. Going into its sixth year of operation, this is the second election of new board members since the TAA’s inception. The TAA’s new members of the board of directors are Sue Finley, senior vice president and co-publisher of the Thoroughbred Daily News, Susie Hart, Walter S. Robertson, attorney at Stites & Harbison, and Nicole Walker, vice president of The Stronach Group. A list of the TAA’s entire board can be found at thoroughbredaftercare.org/our-board. “The TAA is pleased to welcome our new board members to an already robust list of passionate industry professionals,” said John Phillips, Darby Dan Farm owner and TAA president. “We thank the handful of individuals leaving the board during this rotation for their service and dedication to the TAA mission of accredited aftercare.”
Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Announces Accredited Organizations for 2017
For more information, contact: Stacie Clark Rogers 859-224-2756 sclark@thoroughbredaftercare.org Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Announces Accredited Organizations for 2017 The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today that 37 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations have been awarded accreditation in 2017. The accredited groups include 31 that were re-accredited and six that have received accreditation for the first time. The TAA, the only accrediting organization in Thoroughbred aftercare, has a network of 64 accredited organizations operating 180 facilities across the United States and Canada. Accreditation is awarded for a two-year period, after which organizations must re-apply for accreditation. All organizations currently accredited by the TAA are eligible to receive financial grants to support the care of their Thoroughbreds. Grant applications are being reviewed for grants to be awarded by the end of the calendar year. The full list of all 64 TAA-accredited organizations can be found at thoroughbredaftercare.org/taa-accredited-organizations. The 37 organizations that received accreditation this year are: After the Homestretch, After the TRACK, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, Beyond the Roses, Bowman Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption, Brook Hill Retirement Center for Horses, Inc., CANTER California, CANTER Colorado, CANTER Kentucky, Days End Farm, Equine Encore Foundation, Equine Rescue of Aiken, Florida TRAC, Glen Ellen Vocational Academy, Inc., Hope for Horses, Inc., Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Humanity for Horses, Kentucky Equine Humane Center, Life Horse, Inc., Lone Star Outreach to Place Ex-Racehorses, LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, Lucky Orphans, Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, MidAtlantic Horse Rescue Inc., New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Old Friends, Peaceful Ridge Rescue, ReRun Inc., Saratoga Warhorse Foundation, South Florida SPCA, Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, The Exceller Fund, Inc., Thoroughbred Placement Resources, Inc., Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Thoroughbred Retirement of Tampa, Inc., United Pegasus Foundation. “Time and time again we are reminded that the TAA accreditation process is seen as the gold standard of aftercare in the Thoroughbred industry. Therefore, we recognize the immense value it brings to these organizations for going through the in-depth application process and on-site inspections. For donors, supporters and Thoroughbred fans it shows that these organizations are in fact taking care of these athletes,” said John Phillips, TAA president and Darby Dan Farm owner. All accredited organizations undergo a thorough application and inspection process prior to accreditation being awarded to ensure they meet the TAA’s Code of Standards covering five areas: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Site inspections are conducted at all facilities housing horses for each organization. On-going updates and re-inspections are required of all organizations throughout the term of their accreditation. About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the non-profit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association Inc., the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 64 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from the TAA. To learn more about the TAA, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.
XBTV AND TAA COLLABORATE ON THE INAUGURAL XBTV AFTERCARE FILM FESTIVAL
June 21, 2017 For more information, contact: Stacie Clark Rogers 859-224-2756 sclark@thoroughbredaftercare.org The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today an exciting collaboration with XBTV to present the XBTV Aftercare Film Festival. The Film Festival will launch July 1st as part of an ongoing industry effort to highlight the importance of horse aftercare as part of the ecosystem of Thoroughbred racing. Themed “The Importance of Thoroughbred Aftercare and Accreditation to the Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Industries,” the Film Festival will be open exclusively to students taking part in the Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI), University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program (RTIP), or Godolphin Flying Start (GFS). Students are being challenged to create unique video content of no more than three minutes that will bring to life the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare for the next generation of horsemen and horsewomen. Submissions will be reviewed and judged by a panel of media professionals. The submissions will be available to the public to watch at https://filmfreeway.com/festival/XBTV, XBTV and various social media channels at the conclusion of the Film Festival. As a subsidiary of The Stronach Group, XBTV delivers superior racing and industry content to viewers around the world. As sponsor of the XBTV Aftercare Film Festival, XBTV aims to engage millennial audiences while raising awareness for the issue of thoroughbred aftercare. “The Stronach Group is an industry leader in world-class racing and is passionately committed to horse care and horse aftercare,” said Nicole Stronach Walker, TAA Advisory Board Member. “All of those that are involved in the industry, be it breeder, owner or track operator, have a responsibility to the horse to ensure a lifetime of happiness on and off the track. The XBTV Aftercare Film Festival initiative is a great way for younger horse racing enthusiasts to raise awareness and lead the way for future growth in aftercare.” “The Film Festival is an exciting initiative by the TAA and it was very generous of them to extend an invitation to participate to Godolphin Flying Start trainees” said Clodagh Kavanagh, General Manager of the Godolphin Flying Start program. “There are a number of trainees that have shown an interest in entering the competition and I wish them and the other competitors the best of luck with their submissions.” “KEMI is thrilled to be part of this exciting contest,” said Leslie Janecka, KEMI’s coordinator. “As part of their curriculum within the program, our interns learn not only about the production, care and management of Thoroughbreds, but also the importance of a secondary career for those athletes after their racing careers are over. The aftercare of Thoroughbreds is very important, and we are happy to help educate the public about these horses and the many aftercare options available.” The winners of the XBTV Aftercare Film Festival will be announced this December as part of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming, which has been held annually since 1974. Winners will receive a monetary award. 1st place will receive $3,000, 2nd place will receive $1,000 and 3rd place will be awarded $500. A Fan Favorite Award Winner will be awarded $500. “Giving students, who are tomorrow’s leaders of racing, the opportunity to really dive into the topic will certainly increase their knowledge and passion about aftercare,” said Wendy Davis, the Director of the RTIP. “But just as important, their videos will provide a vehicle for the industry to use for education that can reach far beyond racing’s own circle and create the opportunity to exponentially expand awareness of the care given to our horses.” “It’s a true honor to have the Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming selected as the venue to not only share the top videos but to name the winner. Attendees from around North America and the globe will be the first to see the productions and take the messages back to their home jurisdictions.” Follow the work of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at thoroughbredaftercare.org, on Facebook here or @tbaftercare on Twitter and Instagram. About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the non-profit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association Inc., the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 64 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from the TAA. To learn more about the TAA, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org. About XBTV XBTV is a new digital Ultra HD Horse Racing network providing insight and analysis to give horseplayers a competitive advantage. XBTV is the ultimate online destination for bettors to get insider interviews, morning works, insights, analysis and expert picks from the country’s top handicappers. XBTV features Millie Ball, Jeff Siegel, Aaron Vercruysse, Zoe Cadman and John ‘Johnny D’ DeSantis. XBTV is available free online at XBTV.com on any compatible computer, laptop, tablet, mobile device or smart TV. Viewers can watch video on demand as well as scheduled live racing coverage every weekend. XBTV is owned and operated by The Stronach Group and headquartered at historic Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. About The Stronach Group The Stronach Group (TSG) is an industry leader in world-class horse racing, entertainment and pari-mutuel wagering technology. Within our portfolio of racing and gaming businesses, the Company holds some of the greatest brands in the industry including; Santa Anita Park, “The Great Race Place”; Pimlico Race Course, home of the legendary Preakness Stakes; Gulfstream Park, one of Florida’s newest entertainment destination centers, and home to the $16-million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the world’s richest thoroughbred horse race; Laurel Park; Golden Gate Fields; Portland Meadows; and Rosecroft Raceway. TSG is an industry leader in pari-mutuel technology through its subsidiaries AmTote and Xpressbet and is a major distributor of horse racing content to a global audience
SOLEDAD O’BRIEN NAMED “AFTERCARE KEYNOTE” OF EQUESTRICON 2017
Media Contact: Dan Tordjman Dan@equestricon.org 917-572-7075 SOLEDAD O’BRIEN NAMED “AFTERCARE KEYNOTE” OF EQUESTRICON 2017 NEW YORK, NY. (June 14, 2017) – Equestricon, LLC., announced today that Soledad O’Brien, award-winning documentarian, journalist, philanthropist and CEO of Starfish Media Group, a multi-platform media production company, will kick off festivities at Equestricon 2017 by delivering a keynote speech focused on Thoroughbred aftercare. O’Brien, one of the most respected and recognizable names in journalism, has had a career in media spanning more than 25 years. In addition to her role as CEO of Starfish Media Group, O’Brien also anchors and produces the Hearst Television political magazine show “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien”. To balance her work life, O’Brien can often be found on the back of a horse or spending time grooming her five horses, including her retired racehorse, Joey. As a lifelong horse lover, O’Brien rides regularly and has adopted two former racehorses from Akindale Horse Rescue, in Pawling, NY. Akindale is one of 64 aftercare organizations accredited by Equestricon’s official charity partner, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). “Equestricon is putting the issue of aftercare front and center and for that I am grateful,” said O’Brien. “These beautiful animals need and deserve homes after they retire from horse racing so that they can be adopted by loving owners.” The aftercare keynote will be delivered at 9:00 a.m. on the main convention floor of the Saratoga Springs City Center on Monday, August 14. Following her speech, O’Brien will moderate a panel on aftercare “Success Stories”, presented by TAA. “It is essential that we share the stories of these incredible retired racehorses, and use the Equestricon platform to generate continued support for organizations that are caring and preparing horses for their off-the-track lives,” added O’Brien. Equestricon is the first and only of its kind premiere horse racing lifestyle event designed to celebrate the sport of racing with its fans. The convention will be held mostly at the City Center on August 14 -15, beginning with off-site events around Saratoga Springs on Sunday, August 13. Featured at Equestricon will be more than 50 separate panels, workshops, seminars, autograph signings, networking sessions and other events. Highlighted by its partnership with the TAA, Equestricon has filled the convention with programming that focuses on the importance of aftercare in shaping the conversation about the future of the racing industry. Equestricon co-founders Justin Nicholson and Kathryn Sharp, horse owners and breeders from Pennsylvania, have emphasized aftercare with their own horses. Nicholson and Sharp have developed a relationship with a local farm to retrain the horses they retire and currently have five of their own ex-racers in retraining for new careers in showjumping and foxhunting. The announcement of O’Brien as an aftercare keynote reaffirms a personal-commitment to awareness surrounding aftercare. “These equine athletes give us so much during their racing careers, it feels incumbent upon us to ensure they end up somewhere safe when their racing days are over,” Nicholson said. “We’re honored to have someone like Ms. O’Brien not only speaking in support of this cause, but actively providing some former racehorses a great home already.” O’Brien will be available during a short press event scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on August 14, immediately preceding her keynote address. Additional details will follow in a media advisory closer to Equestricon. Media interested in covering Equestricon are asked to apply for credentials through the convention’s website at http://equestricon.com/media/. Equestricon™ is the first international horse racing convention, trade show and fan festival. Founded by Dan Tordjman, Kathryn Sharp and Justin Nicholson, Equestricon™ is designed to bring the horse racing industry together in an atmosphere of entertainment, engagement and education. The inaugural Equestricon™ will be held in Saratoga Springs, kicking off on August 13, and continuing with its General Session August 14-15 at the Saratoga Springs City Center. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) is the official charity partner of Equestricon™. For more information, please visit equestricon.com. STARFISH MEDIA GROUP (SMG) is a leading multi-platform media and content production and distribution company founded by award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien in 2013. SMG and O’Brien report and produce series – most recently is Oxygen’s Mysteries and Scandals – documentaries, digital content, live events and filmed entertainment including the highly acclaimed ‘Black in America’ and ‘Latino in America’ series. O’Brien also anchors the Hearst Television’s political magazine show “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien,” and reports for HBO’s ‘Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,’ the PBS NewsHour and regularly contributes regularly to WebMD. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, O’Brien and her husband, Brad, created the PowHerful Foundation to help young women get to and through college. For more information about Starfish Media Group, please visit starfishmediagroup.com. Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the non-profit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association Inc., the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 64 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from the TAA. To learn more about the TAA, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.
LARC to Sponsor Sir Barton, Present Check to TAA
Press release published on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 on the Preakness website. BALTIMORE – For the second consecutive year, the Latin American Racing Channel (LARC) will sponsor the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes on Preakness Day, May 20, while also presenting a $30,000 check to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) as part of its continued commitment to the Thoroughbred industry. LARC will also host the 2nd Pan American Conference in Washington, D.C., from May 17-20, in conjunction with The Jockey Club. “We are proud to continue our support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance mission,” said Mario Ascher of LARC. “We are committed to the Thoroughbred industry and the welfare of the horse when they are done racing.” “It is an honor to have LARC continue their race sponsorship of the Sir Barton Stakes on Preakness Day to benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,” added John Phillips, President of the TAA. “For LARC to recognize the importance of the TAA mission as an obligation that protects our sport illustrates how aware and committed LARC is to our long term viability. LARC’s support as an international stakeholder reveals to us that aftercare is a global effort.” The LARC Sir Barton Stakes to benefit the TAA is named in honor of thoroughbred racing’s first Triple Crown winner.
EQUILOTTERY JOINS FORCES WITH THE THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE
EquiLottery is proud to join forces with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as its newest industry stakeholder member. The TAA is the national leader in accreditation and financial support for aftercare organizations that retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds after their racing careers are completed. “The EquiLottery mission has always included being a part of the solution to the problems facing the industries we serve,” said EquiLottery Founder and CEO Brad Cummings. “Joining the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as an Industry Stakeholder only furthers that mission. We have been very impressed by the tireless work and dedication shown by Stacie Clark-Rogers and her team to ensure Thoroughbreds have a good life after their racetrack career is over. EquiLottery is proud to stand with them and the entire TAA board as we all work to better the industry we love so dearly.” As an Industry Stakeholder, EquiLottery will make an initial donation to kick off the partnership and has pledged a minimum of $1,000 for each lottery offering EquiLottery per year, tying its future expansion to the financial outlook of the TAA. Following a strict code of standards reviewed and approved by the American Humane Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the TAA represents an industry united initiative that counts supporters from all facets of the racing industry and was initially funded by seed money from Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club and Keeneland Association, Inc. “We are delighted to count Brad and the EquiLottery team as the newest supporters of the TAA,” said TAA Operations Consultant Stacie Clark-Rogers. “Having the foresight to make this kind of commitment at such an early stage in their company’s lifespan speaks volumes for the character of the founding team and the exciting future for this important industry innovation. We look forward to counting EquiLottery as supporters of the TAA for years to come.” Since its public announcement over the summer of 2014, EquiLottery has worked diligently to develop its lottery product based on the results of live horse racing. During that time, this innovative company has structured agreements with lottery industry leader IGT Global Solutions and tote system leader AmTote International to be able to deliver a cohesive lottery experience for state lotteries and their players. EquiLottery is also in development on its IOS and Android mobile app which will allow players features such as watching races live and on replay, scanning tickets and setting push notifications for upcoming races all from the convenience of their mobile devices. About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the non-profit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association Inc., the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 64 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from the TAA. To learn more about the TAA, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.