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Category: News

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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.

TAA IN FULL SWING TO ACCREDIT TB CHARITIES

Click here to read the recent Blog on the Off-Track Thoroughbreds site featuring TAA. The blog highlights the recent aftercare activity around accrediting facilities as well as comments from our very own Mike Zeigler and the Vice President of CARMA, Madeline Auerbach.

YAHOO! SPORTS: THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE WINS 2013 SPECIAL ECLIPSE AWARD

This headline reads like a dream. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance wins the 2013 Special Eclipse Award honoring extraordinary service, individual achievements in, or contributions to the sport of Thoroughbred racing. Many thought an organization comprised of Thoroughbred breeders, owners, jockeys, and trainers dedicated to retraining and rehoming Thoroughbreds after their racing careers had ended, would never happen. But with hard work, determination, and the support of everyone involved, TAA has proven dreams do come true. When I caught up with the Executive Director of TAA, James Hastie, just days after their organization received the prestigious Special Eclipse Award to congratulate them; he was on the road and on the job. “Today I was at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales thanking as many buyers and sellers as I could for supporting us. The Ocala Breeders Sales, Keeneland Sales, Fasig-Tipton Sales, and the Barretts Sales are very instrumental in our success and we can’t thank them enough. Over the course of the year, their support adds up to a lot of funding for the direct care of the horses at TAA accredited aftercare facilities. In fact, sales companies made up 24.6% of our 2013 contributions.” What exactly is TAA? “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Foundation (TAA) is an accrediting and funding mechanism set up by leaders in the North American Thoroughbred Racing Industry,” Hastie explained. “As of 2013, we have 23 accredited aftercare partners across the U.S. and Canada. TAA got its start with seed money provided by the Jockey Club, the Breeders’ Cup, and Keeneland Association. Jack Wolf and Madeline Auerbach, prominent owners in the Thoroughbred racing world, brought an impressive group of individuals together who represent various industry constituents, and founded TAA.” How large of an organization is TAA? “Right now, I am the only full-time employee, and thanks to the seed money investors I mentioned, 100% of the funds raised for aftercare in 2013 went directly to care for the horses being retired, retrained, and/or adopted out of the TAA accredited aftercare facilities. The Jockey Club donates my office space, phones, computers, and other administrative services. We have a roster of a few dozen volunteer site inspectors, as our accredited aftercare partners agree to live up to our Code of Standards which includes surprise inspections, and I just welcomed my first intern, Taylor Burns, a student from the University of KY. I am also in the process of recruiting an assistant from the U.S. Equestrian Federation.” These are exciting times for TAA indeed: an award, expansion.“The Special Eclipse Award we just received was most exciting and was received by TAA in recognition of all the outstanding work being done by the staff and volunteers at TAA accredited aftercare organizations. They are fulfilling TAA’s mission every day by creating opportunities for retired racehorses to enjoy retirement and/or a second career in dressage, cross country, show jumping, endurance riding, pleasure riding, etc.” How can the average horse person or fan help?“There are so many ways to help. Secure donations can be made through our website. Fundraisers can be organized. I used to work for the Red Cross and have seen the power of third-party fundraisers. They can also reach out to their friends and ask them to make a donation through ThoroughbredAftercare.org. I just read about one young lady who donated her birthday money to her local Thoroughbred aftercare facility after volunteering there.” What can officials in the racing industry do?“Our funding model suggests small gifts from everyone and anyone enjoying or benefiting from the sport of Thoroughbred racing. We have been asking for .05% from buyers and sellers at sales, and we just asked the top 100 trainers and jockeys to donate the equivalent of .05% of their earnings. That’s a $25 donation for every $50,000 in income, but if everyone involved with Thoroughbred racing included TAA in their annual giving, we would be providing millions of dollars to care for and retrain retired racehorses. “My goal is to broaden the base of financial support for TAA’s accredited aftercare facilities. Right now, the sales companies, leading industry organizations and stallion owners were the first to step up and provide a solid base from which to grow. Awarding $1,000,000 worth of grants in our first year of operations was definitely a noteworthy milestone. However, once the tracks, training facilities, trainers, jockeys, vets, blacksmiths, advanced deposit wagering companies, shipping companies, feed companies, tack companies, etc. embrace our mission; well, we are talking about an exponential growth in available funding. “We are looking at making ambassadors of those trainers and jockeys who pledge to donate a percentage of their earnings, individuals who would be proud to wear our TAA brand and promote their support of aftercare. The intern who just joined our team is a successful show jumping athlete and she has been a great ambassador for other charities. We believe it will work with the personalities in racing too.” What are your goals for the immediate and extended future of TAA? “In regards to our fundraising, I am reminded of the times at the Red Cross after a big disaster destroyed an entire town and families had lost loved ones, their homes, and all of their belongings. Just as the Red Cross provided an opportunity for displaced families to start over, we want to provide an opportunity for a growing number of Thoroughbreds at TAA accredited facilities to enjoy a comfortable retirement or a fulfilling secondary career. And, as we accredit more aftercare facilities and more Thoroughbreds are retrained to perform in other equestrian sports, we are going to need more money to supplement the budgets of our aftercare partners. “That said; I am very proud that I am in a position to inform our donors and prospective donors that in our first year, thanks to our seed investors, 100% of every dollar raised went to the direct care of these horses. And, looking at 2014, we will spend less than two cents to raise one dollar. Think about this: one gift to

TAA ANNOUNCES MARCH OBS RESULTS

Lexington, KY ‘ June 14, 2013 – The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) is pleased to announce that it has received $39,000 from the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training, held on March 12-13, 2013 in Ocala, Fla. This amount represents combined contributions from buyers and consignors and OBS. ‘We would like to thank OBS and all of the participants for their support of the TAA,’ said Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of TAA. ‘While the individual transactions are small–.05% of purchases or gross sales’they all add up to a meaningful amount which, combined with other industry contributions, will go a long way towards helping retired Thoroughbreds.’ ‘OBS is pleased to facilitate the funding process for TAA. It is critical to have industry wide support in order for this worthy cause to fulfill its mission.’ said Tom Ventura, President of OBS. Buyers and consignors will have another opportunity to support the TAA at the upcoming OBS June Sale of Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age on June 18-19, 2013 in Ocala. The TAA will have a representative on-site to provide information and answer questions from interested individuals. For more information on OBS, please visit their website at www.obssales.com. Based in Lexington, Ky., the TAA is designed to serve as both the 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.

COURIER-JOURNAL ARTICLE: LIFE AFTER RACING

Click here to take a peek at the Courier-Journal article highlighting TAA accredited facilities. Both New Vocations and Old Friends are mentioned in the piece written by Jennie Rees with wonderful videos and photos by Michael Clevenger .

2013 ECLIPSE AWARD FINALISTS ARE ANNOUNCED

Led by Horse of the Year candidates Mucho Macho Man, Will Take Charge and Wise Dan, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters today announced the finalists for the 2013 Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing. Winners in 17 horse and human categories will be announced at the 43rd annual Eclipse Awards dinner and ceremony, presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group on Saturday evening, January 18 at the Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Click here to read more about the finalists.

2015 APPLICATION FOR TAA ACCREDITATION NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today that equine aftercare organizations can apply for accreditation from now through April 15, 2015. Once they have been accredited, such organizations are eligible to receive funding grants from the TAA to go toward the care and rehabilitation of Thoroughbreds in their care. According to the TAA Code of Standards, accreditation status is determined after a complete review of five areas: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. At minimum, organizations applying for accreditation must fulfill the following six requirements: o Organization must have a current status as a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization with Internal Revenue Service or be a registered charity in Canada. o Organization must have been operational for a minimum of three years. o Organization must house a minimum of 50% and/or a minimum of 5 thoroughbreds. o Organization must have an official euthanasia policy consistent with the AAEP http://aaep.mediamarketers.com/euthanasia-guidelines-i-334.html . o Principals of the organization have never been convicted of killing, abandoning, mistreating, neglecting, abusing or otherwise committing an act of cruelty to a horse. o Currently there are no legal proceedings pending against the organization, or a principal of the organization and related to the organization. Upon submission of the application for accreditation, aftercare organizations may also be subject to a site inspection. ‘A great deal of the TAA’s initial success can be attributed to the very high and thorough code of standards,’ said Jimmy Bell, president of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. ‘These transparent requirements and attention to detail provide great comfort and confidence to so many TAA supporters.’ The TAA was formed in 2012 to serve as the accreditation and fundraising body for Thoroughbred aftercare. Currently, there are 42 aftercare organizations accredited with the TAA, and those organizations were eligible for $2,400,000 in grants awarded by the TAA in 2014. ‘Organizations that are accredited by the TAA meet standards designed to enhance the well-being of Thoroughbreds upon the conclusion of their racing or breeding careers,’ said Kristin Leshney, legal associate and Thoroughbred Incentive Program coordinator for The Jockey Club and chair of the Accreditation Committee for the TAA. ‘The rigorous review of the application and the thorough inspection process ensure that all accredited organizations are providing a uniform and appropriate level of care for Thoroughbreds.’ 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, aftercare professionals and other industry groups.

THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE TO RECEIVE SPECIAL ECLIPSE AWARD

NEW YORK CITY (Monday, January 6, 2014) ‘ The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters announced today that the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be presented with the Special Eclipse Award during the 43rd annual Eclipse Awards ceremony Jan. 18 at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla. The Special Award honors extraordinary service, individual achievements in, or contributions to the sport of Thoroughbred racing. A 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Lexington, Ky., the TAA serves as both an accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following their racing careers and a fundraising body to support the 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. ‘This is a tremendous honor for the TAA, and great recognition of the substantial achievements this organization has made,” said Jack Wolf, TAA Board President and Co-Managing Partner of Starlight Racing. ‘In under two years we have successfully assembled a top-notch team and signed on supporters from across the industry, enabling us to accredit 23 Thoroughbred aftercare facilities and award $1 million in grants to support the great work they are doing to care for our retired racehorses. While there is much work ahead of us, this award is an opportunity to celebrate our successes and thank our donors, supporters, and the TAA team for their hard work and dedication to fulfilling the TAA’s mission.” The seven-figures-worth of financial grants awarded last year were the first since TAA was formed 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. ‘The TAA has made extraordinary progress in ensuring safe and stable adoption, retraining and retirement opportunities,’ said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the NTRA, which administers the Eclipse Awards. ‘The industry has demonstrated a newfound willingness to proactively address our most critical issues and the TAA is a prime example of this cooperative spirit. Every racehorse deserves proper care for the entirety of its natural life and all of us who derive our livelihoods from them share the responsibility of providing as much.’ The Special Award will be given for the 23rd time since it was inaugurated in 1971 to honor Robert J. Kleberg, manager of the famed King Ranch. Subsequent recipients have included racing luminaries such as Bill Shoemaker, C.V. Whitney, Edward J. DeBartolo, Richard Duchossois, Russell Baze, Laffit Pincay Jr., Dale Baird, Team Zenyatta and, most recently, Rapid Redux. The TAA will be the second aftercare-related recipient, following Monique Koehler, founder of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, in 2009. The Eclipse Awards, presented by the Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group, are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in North America have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Those awards are voted by NTRA, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. A complete list of past Eclipse Award winners, including the Special Award recipients, can be accessed online at http://ntra.com/en/eclipse-awards/history.