TAA & CARMA TO PROVIDE WRISTBANDS AT BREEDERS’ CUP TO PROMOTE AFTERCARE AWARENESS
October 17, 2013 – The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) is teaming up with California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park on November 1-2, 2013 to promote awareness of Thoroughbred aftercare. The two aftercare organizations will be providing wristbands for fans to wear to show their support for retired Thoroughbreds. Breeders’ Cup attendees may pick up these aqua-colored wristbands at the TAA and CARMA booth located by the fountain near the south entrance to Santa Anita. They will be distributed free of charge with donations welcomed. TAA and CARMA representatives will also be present to answer questions and provide information on Thoroughbred aftercare and their organizations. ‘With the best Thoroughbreds coming together to compete in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of caring for these great athletes after their racing careers are over,’ said Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of TAA. ‘The wristbands are an easy and visible way for fans, horsemen and other participants to show their support, and we hope that everyone attending will wear them with pride.’ ‘An important part of CARMA’s mission is to promote industry support and awareness for Thoroughbred aftercare, and these wristbands are the perfect way to demonstrate that support,’ said Lucinda Mandella, Executive Director of CARMA. ‘Breeders’ Cup is the highlight of our year and the perfect spot to pay tribute to the equine stars that have given their all on the track, and now need our support in retirement.’ For more information on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, please visit the Breeders’ Cup web site, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 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. CARMA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, raises money for retired thoroughbred racehorses that have raced in California and grants funds to CARMA-accredited aftercare partners. It is run by an independent board of directors and is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners and trainers on equine retirement and working to unify the industry in support of retiring equine athletes. It is a member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which works toward a national solution to issues surrounding retired racehorses. For more information and to support CARMA please visit carma4horses.org or call 626-574-6622.
TAA ACCREDITS FIRST THREE ORGANIZATIONS
Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care, New Vocations and Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue are the First Facilities to Become TAA-Accredited’ New York, N.Y. ‘ May 1, 2013 – The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today that it had accredited its first three Thoroughbred aftercare facilities: Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care in Palm City, Fla.; New Vocations in Marysville, Ohio; and Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue in Norco, Calif. The three facilities are now eligible to receive financial support from the TAA for the ongoing care of retired Thoroughbreds. Following a detailed application process and careful onsite examinations by TAA inspectors and independent veterinarians, Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care, New Vocations and Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue were each judged to have met or exceeded TAA requirements in the areas of operations, education, horse care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. ‘We are honored to be among the first aftercare facilities accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,’ said Barbi Moline, Director of Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care. ‘The support of the TAA will help ensure that we can continue to give Thoroughbreds the lives they deserve after their racing days are over.’ ‘We are very proud to be accredited by the TAA,’ said New Vocations Program Director Anna Ford. ‘We have new horses arriving into the program on a weekly basis and it’s only through grants and private donations that our doors have remained open.” ‘This accreditation will go a long way toward rescuing additional horses and providing excellent care to those horses at our facility awaiting new adoptive homes.’ said Caroline Betts, Founder and President of Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue.’ ‘The TAA standards were thorough and demanding, and we are proud to have met those requirements.’ Facilities eligible to apply for TAA accreditation include those conforming to the following four broad standards: Possess 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status Have been operational for at least three years Care for a resident population of at least five horses, with at least half the horses being Thoroughbreds Follow a euthanasia policy consistent with that of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Applications for accreditation must be submitted by June 1 for organizations to be eligible for consideration for grants in 2013 and 2014. The complete TAA Code of Standards for aftercare facilities and the accreditation application are available at http://www.thoroughbredaftercare.org/. 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.
TAA RECEIVES 27 APPLICATIONS FOR ACCREDITATION
Lexington, KY ‘ June 18, 2013 – The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) is pleased to announce that it has received applications for accreditation from 27 eligible aftercare facilities. These organizations will now begin the TAA’s process of review and onsite examination, to be eligible for consideration for grants in 2013 and 2014. Applications were submitted from facilities in 13 different states in the United States and from two organizations in Canada. The facilities range in location from Kentucky, New York and Maryland to Arizona, Washington and California, and represent a cross-section of rescue, retirement, retraining and adoption programs. ‘We’re encouraged by the level of interest shown by such a diverse group of organizations in our first year of operations,’ said Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of TAA. ‘Continued support from all aspects of the industry is critical in order to support our accredited facilities and the great work they are doing to help retired Thoroughbreds.’ To be considered for accreditation, organizations must complete a detailed application process and careful onsite examinations by TAA inspectors and independent veterinarians. Facilities eligible to apply for TAA accreditation include those conforming to the following four broad standards: Possess 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status Have been operational for at least three years Care for a resident population of at least five horses, with at least half the horses being Thoroughbreds Follow a euthanasia policy consistent with that of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) The complete TAA Code of Standards for aftercare facilities and the accreditation application are available at http://www.thoroughbredaftercare.org/. The TAA announced on May 1 that it had accredited its first three Thoroughbred aftercare facilities: Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care in Palm City, Fla.; New Vocations in Marysville, Ohio and Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue in Norco, Calif. The three facilities are now eligible to receive financial support from the TAA for the ongoing care of retired Thoroughbreds. 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.
READ OUR JULY 2013 NEWSLETTER!
The TAA is pleased to announce the launch our newsletter! This will be a monthly forum for us to share the latest news and developments happening with the organization. Click here to read our first issue for July 2013!
READ OUR OCTOBER 2013 NEWSLETTER!
Click here to read the October Newsletter which includes a wonderful adoption story, fundraising totals and much more!
DRF: TAA RAISES FUNDS THROUGHOUT THOROUGHBREDS’ COMPETITIVE LIVES
If it takes a village to raise a child, the same is true of a Thoroughbred racehorse, with a number of individuals and groups ‘ including stallion owners, mare owners, sales consignors and buyers, and racetracks ‘ involved in the development of the athlete. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has stepped in to partner with various industry stakeholders and establish a system that raises funds for Thoroughbred aftercare as horses move through the various phases of their lives. Click here for full story
FASIG-TIPTON 2013 JULY PREVIEW WITH COMMENTS FROM BOYD BROWNING JR. ABOUT TAA
Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning Jr. interviews with Esther Marr prior to the recent July Sale. Boyd also talks about TAA and gives a testimonial about the orgnization. Click here for to watch the video
BLOOD-HORSE: NEW TAA DONATION OPPORTUNITY AT SALES
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has enacted a plan for both buyers and consignors at Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, the Ocala Breeders’ Sale Co., and Barretts Equine Limited to automatically contribute a small portion of their respective purchases or gross sales to the organization. Click here for full story
THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE IS LAUNCHED
New York, NY” February 9, 2012 – A broad-based group of Thoroughbred industry stakeholders announced today the establishment of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)’an organization 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 owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, jockeys, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. ‘It is our responsibility as owners, tracks, breeders, trainers, jockeys, bloodstock agents, and anyone who has a stake in the game to take responsibility for the aftercare of these great animals who are the keystone of our sport,’ said TAA board President and Thoroughbred owner Jack Wolf.”Securing support and funding from Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, Keeneland and so many other great organizations speaks to the credibility and importance of our effort and is so greatly appreciated.’ Additional support of the TAA has been provided by Adena Springs North, CARMA, Fasig-Tipton, The Jockeys’ Guild, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, The New York Racing Association, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company and Thoroughbred Charities of America. The organization also received staff support from Thoroughbred Charities of America, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The NTRA will continue to provide that support on an ongoing basis. The TAA will accredit aftercare facilities based on a Code of Standards covering operations, education, horse management, facility services and adoption policies. Simultaneously, the TAA will raise funds on behalf of accredited facilities via institutional contributions that are to be directed 100% to program services rather than to fundraising or general administrative costs. ‘The Breeders’ Cup is proud to be one of the initial funders for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and fully support the TAA goals of an industry-wide, annually funded program committed to the placement’or second-career retraining’of retired Thoroughbreds on a national scale,’ said Craig Fravel, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Ltd.”Through the contributions of our sport’s stakeholders, we can help ensure that our horses are treated in a dignified manner throughout their lives.’ ‘The Jockey Club’s involvement and support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a natural extension of our other ongoing efforts in the area of Thoroughbred aftercare,’ said James L. Gagliano, The Jockey Club’s President and Chief Operating Officer. ‘The accreditation and proper funding for aftercare facilities will greatly enhance the well-being of our equine athletes, and we encourage other groups and individuals from all segments of our sport to support this Alliance.’ “Thoroughbred aftercare is something that touches us all,” said Nick Nicholson, President and CEO of Keeneland. “We are proud to do our part, and I know that virtually everyone else will be equally proud to do theirs in order to make the TAA an ongoing success.” The TAA, a 501 (c) (6) non-profit organization with a 501 (c) (3) subsidiary, will fill out its staff and provide additional updates in the coming months. The TAA offices will be based in Lexington, Ky.
TAA NOW ACCEPTING ACCREDITATION APPLICATIONS
New York, N.Y. ‘ March 5, 2013 – The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today that Thoroughbred aftercare organizations may now apply for TAA accreditation. Passing the TAA’s on-site accreditation inspection will make a facility eligible to receive financial support for the ongoing care of retired Thoroughbreds. Facilities eligible to apply for TAA accreditation include those conforming to the following four broad standards: Possess 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status Have been operational for at least three years Care for a resident population of at least five, with at least 50% being Thoroughbreds Follow a euthanasia policy consistent with that of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Applications for accreditation must be submitted by June 1 for organizations to be eligible for consideration for grants in 2013 and 2014. The complete TAA Code of Standards for aftercare facilities and the accreditation application are available at http://www.thoroughbredaftercare.org/. ‘The Code of Standards and application materials are products of a great deal of input from all around the Thoroughbred community, including the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Humane Association,’ said TAA Executive Director Mike Ziegler. ‘Our guiding principle in the creation of all of these documents was to make the welfare of retired Thoroughbreds our top priority.’ ‘The American Association of Equine Practitioners strongly supports the efforts of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,’ said AAEP President Ann Dwyer, DVM. ‘The AAEP has worked in partnership with the TAA on the development of its Code of Standards, best practices, and application and site inspector documents and supports its efforts to improve the care of Thoroughbreds at rescue and retirement facilities throughout North America.’ ‘The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will help give Thoroughbreds the post-racing life they deserve,’ said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane Association. ‘By establishing standards for aftercare facilities and supporting those facilities that adhere to them, we believe the TAA’s work will have a truly lasting impact on the welfare of Thoroughbreds.’ 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.