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All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Humberger Toggle Menu Previous Post Supporter Feature: Emma-Jayne Wilson Supporter Feature: Emma-Jayne Wilson By: Jay Privman September 18, 2024 Supporter Feature Tags:Industry Stakeholder, supporter, Supporter Feature, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Supporter Photo Courtesy of Woodbine Entertainment Finding good homes for ex-racehorses, and worthwhile second careers for those horses, is something at which champion jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson had been deeply involved well before the advent of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, so the organized structure, the accountability, that Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance brought to the process was something to which Wilson was drawn. She has been an enthusiastic supporter now for years. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s thorough and well-established process of accreditation provides assurance to the Industry that there’s careful review and thoughtful scrutiny as to the parties involved in aftercare,” said Wilson, who primarily has been based at Woodbine through her career. “This upholds and promotes the integrity of the programs, and serves to elevate the confidence in our aftercare options.” Wilson, who turned 43 earlier this month, won both the Eclipse Award and Sovereign Award as champion apprentice jockey for 2005. The native of Canada was eligible for the same Sovereign Award in 2006, and repeated. One of her favorite horses from those early years was the gelding Just Rushing, whose biggest win in concert with Wilson came in the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes in 2007 at age 6. When Just Rushing retired at age 9 at the end of 2010, having made 44 starts and socked away more than $1 million, Wilson took him in. It was one of her first experiences with off-the-track Thoroughbreds. “I was so fortunate to work closely with the connections and help to retire one of my favorite thoroughbreds,” she said of Just Rushing. She also assisted, in 2016, in retiring the gelding Bear No Joke, with whom Wilson won the Grade 2 Kennedy Road Stakes back in 2013. Bear No Joke “was claimed with the intent to secure his retirement,” Wilson said. “I worked closely with veterinarians to ensure he was at his best to enjoy a second career, and he went on to be paired with a young person whose connection with him was very special.” Wilson has helped with several rescues, “supporting efforts to secure and withdraw horses from unfortunate circumstances,” she said. One of those was Belle Gully, whom Wilson had ridden to victories in claiming races at Woodbine in 2005 and 2006. Belle Gully “is currently teaching children to ride at the age of 23,” Wilson said. Wilson has been a significant financial supporter of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “I have a deep appreciation for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s industry-wide impact,” she said. “My support is based on how crucial I consider their very broad role throughout the industry at large. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s work provides peace of mind to not only the trainers and owners with horses based at racetracks, but also the breeders, to the farm managers, and everyone in between — the horsepeople industry-wide that are committed heart and soul to our horses and can rely on Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s work to ensure aftercare options are in order.” Wilson has gone on to be the winningest female jockey in Canadian racing history, with more than 1,900 victories, and earlier this year she surpassed the United States-based Hall of Famer Julie Krone for the top spot in career purse earnings by a female rider, her mounts having earned more than $90 million. Wilson’s biggest victory came in the Queen’s Plate in 2007, aboard Mike Fox. But it’s obvious that whether a horse has brought her a major stakes victory, or was a claiming horse who found himself in a tenuous circumstance years later, Wilson believes all deserve the dignity of a second career, and her support of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is another example of that commitment. Emma-Jayne pictured with her retired Thoroughbred, Just Rushing; Photo Courtesy of Emma-Jayne Wilson. Emma-Jayne pictured with her retired Thoroughbred, Just Rushing; Photo Courtesy of Emma-Jayne Wilson. Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s supporters: Industry Stakeholders Share This Article  

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Humberger Toggle Menu Previous PostNext Post Supporter Feature: Kelsey Danner Supporter Feature: Kelsey Danner By: Jay Privman August 19, 2024 Supporter Feature Tags:Industry Stakeholder, supporter, Supporter Feature, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Supporter Photo Courtesy of Coady Media As someone who grew up in racing and got her first experience riding horses via retired Thoroughbreds, trainer Kelsey Danner knows first-hand what former racehorses can do, so she’s devoted to paying it forward now by making sure her ex-runners go on to worthwhile second careers. Most notable among them is the filly Phlox, who raced just three times, never won, and earned a little more than $5,000. But while she never reached her potential as a racehorse, Phlox is off to a sensational start in her second act, having finished first last fall in the polo division of the Retired Racehorse Project. “Thoroughbred retirement is one of the most-important issues in our industry,” Danner said recently from Saratoga, where she sent out her current stable star, the turf sprinter Danse Macabre, to a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Caress Stakes, which brought the filly’s career earnings to nearly $1 million. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance helps with the transition of racehorses going on to second careers, and Danner is proud of being associated with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “I’ve had several horses who were retired and are now doing things like being trail horses, or hunter-jumpers,” Danner said. “They can do so much. Finding a good home for them, not just a soft landing, is important. It makes you feel good as a human.” Knowing horses go to places accredited by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is critical to Danner. “Someone is checking, auditing. It’s important,” she said. Both Phlox and Danse Macabre are fillies who were foals of 2020. Their careers could not have unfolded more differently, and Danner gains satisfaction knowing both are living their best lives. For horses like Phlox, and other retirees, “it’s nice to see them go on and be successful,” Danner said. “It’s important they have a loving home,” she said. Danner – the daughter of Kelly Danner, the popular, respected, long-time manager of racing operations at Churchill Downs — is an accomplished horsewoman herself. She comes from a long line of trainers, including her father, Mark, and she rode hunter-jumpers and in dressage as a youth with horses who were off the track. “Retired racehorses paid off for me,” she said. Danner gravitated to the track, and apprenticed under several trainers, including Hall of Famers D. Wayne Lukas and Carl Nafzger, before going out on her own at the end of 2017. Her rise has been steady. Every year Danner has outperformed her previous year. In 2023, Danner’s runners earned a career-best $2.1 million. She currently trains approximately 65 runners, based out of Turfway. In a typical week this summer, it’s not unusual for her to have runners at Belterra, Colonial, Ellis, Horseshoe Indianapolis, Presque Isle, and Saratoga. Sounds like someone who’s always looking for exactly the right spot for her racehorses. Kind of how she treats her retirees, too. As someone who grew up in racing and got her first experience riding horses via retired Thoroughbreds, trainer Kelsey Danner knows first-hand what former racehorses can do, so she’s devoted to paying it forward now by making sure her ex-runners go on to worthwhile second careers. Most notable among them is the filly Phlox, who raced just three times, never won, and earned a little more than $5,000. But while she never reached her potential as a racehorse, Phlox is off to a sensational start in her second act, having finished first last fall in the polo division of the Retired Racehorse Project. “Thoroughbred retirement is one of the most-important issues in our industry,” Danner said recently from Saratoga, where she sent out her current stable star, the turf sprinter Danse Macabre, to a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Caress Stakes, which brought the filly’s career earnings to nearly $1 million. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance helps with the transition of racehorses going on to second careers, and Danner is proud of being associated with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “I’ve had several horses who were retired and are now doing things like being trail horses, or hunter-jumpers,” Danner said. “They can do so much. Finding a good home for them, not just a soft landing, is important. It makes you feel good as a human.” Photo Courtesy of Coady Media Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s supporters: Industry Stakeholders Share This Article

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Previous Post Hallway Feeds’ Support for Racing Aftercare Hallway Feeds’ Support for Racing Aftercare By: Jay Privman June 17, 2024 Supporter Feature Tags:Hallway Feeds, Industry Stakeholder, supporter, Supporter Feature, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Supporter Over the years, the family-owned Hallway Feeds had donated to several organizations that in are in the Thoroughbred aftercare space, but in recent years the company has stepped up its involvement via Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, most notably including prominent sponsorship at the Preakness Stakes festival at Pimlico in May. Hallway sponsored a stake on Black-Eyed Susan Day, sponsored awards for best turned-out runners in each race, had its logo on the jackets worn by outriders, and had signage throughout the facility. Sure, it was a great way to promote the popular company. It also had the satisfying benefit of helping a cause that Lee Hall believes the entire sport needs to get behind. “We feel like people are going to say, ‘If the feed guy is doing that, maybe we should, too,’” said Hall, the vice-president of Hallway Feeds, which is based in Lexington, Kentucky. “We all have an obligation in this area.” Hall, a fifth-generation farmer, said Hallway’s increased activity started at the prompting of long-time client Craig Bandoroff of Denali Stud. A subsequent meeting with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance board members, including president Jeffrey Bloom, resulted in the type of sponsorship on display at the Preakness. “Aftercare has become a far more prominent issue the past 10 years,” Hall said. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance qualifies facilities, sets standards. It’s better than giving a little here, there, and yon. They set the standards.” But as much as Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance does, Hall realizes that the funding for all aftercare needs in the Thoroughbred world are still insufficient. “Raising money for these things is difficult. Often it’s the same people giving,” he said. To that end, Hall would love to see racing adopt a mandated, across-the-board funding mechanism. He said the Beef Checkoff Funds, established in 1985 by the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, offers a template. It has been a raging success. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, ending last September, it raised nearly $43 million, according to the organizations financial statements. The pork industry has a similar checkoff fund. “There’s a fee of $1 the seller contributes every time there’s a sale,” Hall said of the Cattlemen’s Fund. “When sold as a calf, $1. Sold to the feedlot, $1. Harvested, $1. Each time that animal is sold. “We need sustainable funding in the horse industry for aftercare. You just can’t keep going back to the same people over and over.” The price per sale at all auctions would need to be adjusted to reflect the funding required for aftercare. And private sales would have to be addressed. But the framework is there, and Hall believes running it through Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance would allow aftercare to scale up to the level needed. “The model is there for sustainable funding,” he said. In the meantime, Hall said Hallway Feeds will do whatever it can to support aftercare. “We can’t do business as usual,” Hall said. “We have to show that we are taking care of these animals differently than in the past. We as an industry have to support these kinds of things. “We are very blessed being able to sell to the racing industry. We feel the need to give back. It’s the culture of our business.” Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s supporters: Industry Stakeholders Share This Article

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Previous Post NYRA’s Commitment to Thoroughbred Aftercare NYRA’s Commitment to Thoroughbred Aftercare By: Jay Privman May 28, 2024 Supporter Feature Tags:Industry Stakeholder, New York Racing Association, NYRA, supporter, Supporter Feature, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Supporter Anticipation is high for this year’s Belmont Stakes, to be held for the first time at Saratoga Race Course June 8 during a special four-day race week. As host to the final leg of the Triple Crown, and with high-quality racing year-round, the New York Racing Association is among the nation’s leaders in showcasing the best racing has to offer, and NYRA’s focus doesn’t end when the race does. NYRA has been steadfast in its support of aftercare, with a multi-pronged approach that includes significant, mandated funding from its participants to aid Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. NYRA, in conjunction with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, as well as the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, as well as owners who race at NYRA tracks, contribute more than $1.2 million annually to aftercare, according to David O’Rourke, the chief executive officer and president of NYRA. “In 2014, NYTHA adopted a per-start fee for owners of $5 that provided funding to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,” O’Rourke said. “In July 2019, NYRA and NYTHA increased the per-start fee to $10. NYRA matches those contributions, and then donates the proceeds to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at the conclusion of each race meet conducted at NYRA. “In 2019, NYRA and NYTHA launched an aftercare assessment program that requires owners claiming a horse subject to contribute a 1.5 percent aftercare assessment on top of the claiming price of the horse, with funding allocated to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and TTL,” he said, referring to Take The Lead, a retirement program for Thoroughbreds stabled at NYRA tracks. “For example, an owner claiming a horse for $50,000 will contribute an additional $750 toward aftercare. This program generates more than $250,000 per year.” Saratoga’s summer meeting is a major point of emphasis for NYRA’s relationship with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance plays a prominent role on-site during some of NYRA’s biggest days, including Whitney Day and others,” O’Rourke said. “In 2021, NYRA, NYTHA, and the NYTB held the inaugural Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Race Course to celebrate and highlight the work of the New York State aftercare community.” O’Rourke said aftercare is paramount in importance because NYRA believes “the athletes who have given so much to the sport deserve to retire with dignity when their racing days are done.” “New York is a national leader when it comes to supporting and investing in a variety of meaningful aftercare efforts,” O’Rourke said. “Fortunately, the New York racing community at-large cares deeply about Thoroughbred aftercare. That is reflected in the investments we see from NYTHA, NYTB, and so many groups and individuals who work to re-home and re-train these athletes. “We work to educate the public about these efforts because misconceptions abound.” Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s accreditation program is among the many ways quality control is maintained, and can be used as a concrete example to push back against those misconceptions. “Our friends at Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance recognized that establishing a clear set of standards for accreditation is incredibly important,” O’Rouke said, adding that Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is “an organization that enjoys national support from racing’s biggest entities because of their professionalism and care. “And they are passionate about the work!” he said. Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s supporters: Industry Stakeholders Share This Article

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Previous Post Godolphin’s Commitment to Lifetime Care of Thoroughbreds Godolphin’s Commitment to Lifetime Care of Thoroughbreds By: Jay Privman April 25, 2024 Supporter Feature Tags:Darley, Godolphin, Godolphin Lifetime Care, Industry Stakeholder, supporter, Supporter Feature, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Supporter With a worldwide operation encompassing North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Godolphin is involved in Thoroughbred aftercare on many fronts, particularly in the United States, where Godolphin was in on the ground floor of the founding of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and remains steadfast in its support to this day. “It’s like the Good Housekeeping seal,” said Jimmy Bell, who was president and racing manager for Godolphin USA when Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was founded and who is a past president of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “Facilities have to be inspected to be accredited. You’ve got to do something to get it, and you’ve got to do something to keep it.” “About 16,000 horses have come through the program. There’s 86 facilities currently accredited. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has distributed more than $30 million,” Bell said. “Aftercare is important for the overall health of the industry. Not only is it a great story, it’s the right story.” At Godolphin’s United States headquarters in Kentucky, Katie LaMonica, Godolphin’s charities manager, worked closely with Bell prior to Bell’s retirement in late 2021, and she has been the point person for Godolphin regarding aftercare for more than a decade. “I remember when Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was founded. Jimmy had a meeting with me and said, ‘This is the way to go,’” LaMonica recalled. “The accreditation is what wins you over.” “Overall, aftercare – Godolphin calls it ‘lifetime care’ — has come so far. Things are in place now. With events like Thoroughbred Makeover, demand has been created. It has an impact.” Godolphin has a multi-pronged aftercare set-up, including its own Godolphin rehoming. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is an essential aspect of Godolphin’s commitment to aftercare. “We’ve shown that these horses can have second careers. They are versatile,” LaMonica said. “And there’s a demand for them.” Among the former Godolphin runners who have gone to successful second careers is Hieronymous, named for G.D. Hieronymous, an Eclipse Award-winning broadcast production journalist who retired three years ago after 20 years as Keeneland’s director of broadcast services. The equine Hieronymous, a Godolphin homebred gelding who won 5 of 9 starts, including two stakes at Fair Grounds and one at Canterbury, won the competitive trail horse competition at Thoroughbred Makeover in 2022. He is now a “full-blown Western trail horse,” LaMonica said. Underscore, a homebred by Uncle Mo who was retired after one start, is now a dressage horse owned by Natalie Voss, the multiple Eclipse Award-winning journalist for the Paulick Report. “He’s doing awesome,” LaMonica said. “We strongly believe in Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,” LaMonica said. “We absolutely believe in their mission.” Asked if it was gratifying to see how far Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has come since inception, Bell said he preferred another word: “thankful.” “To know there are real second careers for these horses is very important,” he said. “It gives dignity to them. Roping, dressage, this, that, there are numerous things they can do, and it’s to everyone’s benefit.” Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s supporters: Industry Stakeholders Share This Article

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Previous Post Keeneland’s Support Vital from Inception to Present Keeneland’s Support Vital from Inception to Present By: Jay Privman April 5, 2024 Supporter Feature Tags:Breeders' Cup, Breeders' Cup World Championships, Industry Stakeholder, supporter, Supporter Feature, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Supporter The same rock-solid foundation that Keeneland has provided to Thoroughbred racing and sales has carried over to its contributions to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, for which Keeneland was a founding contributor and remains a steadfast supporter. “We helped provide the seed money and continue to fund the organization,” said Dean Roethemeier, the assistant director of sales operations for Keeneland and a current board member of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “I’m lucky to work at Keeneland and with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Putting the horse first – it all comes back to that.” Keeneland, along with the Breeders’ Cup and The Jockey Club, were the three organizations who provided the funding necessary to launch Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. In the years since, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has grown to 86 organizations and approximately 180 facilities that re-train and re-home Thoroughbreds for second careers, or give them a chance to live out their lives in dignity at retirement facilities. Those organizations and facilities have been in receipt of nearly $32 million. Keeneland contributes on its own, as well as matching contributions made by buyers and consignors at its numerous sales. “We’re grateful to our consignors and buyers who participate, and we match their contributions. It’s incumbent on everyone in the industry to reflect on if they’re giving their fair share to aftercare. The responsibility is on all of us. There’s a sense of responsibility to the horse, first and foremost. That’s where it starts.” Dean Roethemeier Keeneland, Assistant Director of Sales Operations “We’re grateful to our consignors and buyers who participate, and we match their contributions,” Roethemeier said. “It’s incumbent on everyone in the industry to reflect on if they’re giving their fair share to aftercare. The responsibility is on all of us. There’s a sense of responsibility to the horse, first and foremost. That’s where it starts.” Roethemeier said the way Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is structured makes it the model for aftercare. “They’ve got a great process in place for accreditation,” he said. “There’s a sense of confidence when contributing that your dollars are in good hands. TAA has come as close as anyone to solving aftercare. The program is in place. Now it’s a matter of funding, of scaling up.” He, and Keeneland, are proud to be involved. “Since Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance started, they’ve proven year-in and year-out that it works,” Roethemeier said. “It’s really been proven to be a great program.” Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s supporters: Industry Stakeholders Share This Article

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Previous Post Breeders’ Cup Has Been There from the Start Breeders’ Cup Has Been There from the Start By: Jay Privman March 8, 2024 Supporter Feature Tags:Breeders' Cup, Breeders' Cup World Championships, Industry Stakeholder, supporter, Supporter Feature, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Supporter It was a moment of pure serendipity. The Breeders’ Cup had been having internal discussions about ways to bring a more coordinated approach to Thoroughbred aftercare, and then Jack Wolf, who heads the highly successful Starlight Racing partnership, approached the Breeders’ Cup with his idea for something of that ilk. “It was a happy coincidence,” said Dora Delgado, the executive vice president/chief racing officer of the Breeders’ Cup. “This seemed to check all the boxes, a way to distribute funds in a fair and equitable manner, and not end up in just one bucket, not just have Kentucky benefit, but make it nationwide.” And from that, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was born. Breeders’ Cup, along with The Jockey Club and Keeneland, were the three organizations who provided the necessary funding to get Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance off the ground. In the decade-plus since, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has grown to now accredit 86 organizations and approximately 180 facilities that re-train and re-home Thoroughbreds for second careers, or give them a chance to live out their lives in dignity at retirement facilities. Nearly $32 million has been distributed by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to those organizations and facilities, and the Breeders’ Cup has provided financial assistance throughout. For Delgado, who is based in Lexington, Ky., support for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is something important to her both professionally and personally. “From the 175 or so horses who compete at every Breeders’ Cup, just a small percentage of them go to the breeding shed and achieve greatness. So there’s a continuous need when you think of the size and scope of what’s out there,” Delgado said. “We have a social responsibility, an industry responsibility, to care for these horses. If you make your living in any way with a Thoroughbred – owner, breeder, as a vanning company, a feed company, anything – you should be contributing. It’s in your best interest.” The Breeders’ Cup helps keep Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance top of mind year-round by tying it to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Program, more commonly known as the “Win and You’re In” races like the Metropolitan Mile, to be run this year at Saratoga on the Belmont Stakes card, and the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Cards on those days feature Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance signage and demonstrations from off-the-track Thoroughbreds. In addition, the race formerly known as the Breeders’ Cup Marathon is now named for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and is run on championship weekend. Several Breeders’ Cup winners – Eldaafer, Little Mike, and Stormy Liberal – are retirees in Georgetown, Ky., at Old Friends, joined there by the recently retired Channel Maker, who holds the record of having competed in the Breeders’ Cup six times. “I really enjoy that they’re down the road and I can go see them,” Delgado said. “It’s nice that they can go there and just be horses. And on a personal level, Delgado has seen the importance of a re-trained Thoroughbred who fell far short of being a Breeders’ Cup participant. Her daughter Mallory had an off-the-track Thoroughbred who was a hunter-jumper and then graduated to cross country. “He was very slow on the racetrack, but he liked to go fast and jump over things,” Delgado said. “Thoroughbreds are versatile and smart. They want a job to do. Think of all the great geldings who ended up being racetrack ponies. A horse like Lava Man,” Delgado said, referring to the Hall of Fame racehorse who now resides at Old Friends after working as a pony for more than a decade, “he was so headstrong, but that stood him well when teaching babies.” Delgado said Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s structure, which engendered buy-ins industry wide from all types of organizations, and the continuous accreditation process for those seeking funds, make it a model for aftercare “The way the board is comprised, everyone has a vested interest in seeing it do well,” she said. Including the Breeders’ Cup, which has been there from the start. Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s supporters: Industry Stakeholders Share This Article