NYRA Welcomes TAA to Saratoga Race Course on Whitney Day
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will host the Saratoga Community Booth for Whitney Stakes Day on Aug. 6. Patrons are encouraged to stop by the community booth to learn about the organization’s mission from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance representatives, and to make a donation in exchange for a variety of racing memorabilia and TAA swag. Racing fans can also show their support by opting to donate to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance throughout the Saratoga meet when cashing a winning ticket on an AmTote International self-service betting terminal. All donations are tax deductible. On the Whitney undercard, horses will don NYRA-donated Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance saddle towels for a race named in honor of the TAA. In the winner’s circle after the race, the TAA will present awards to the best turned out horse and winning groom and connections. “The Saratoga Community Booth is a great opportunity for racing fans and participants alike to learn more about the TAA,” said TAA President, Jeffrey Bloom. “We are also honored to have the TAA represented with a race on the Whitney Day card. NYRA has been an invaluable stakeholder to the TAA for many years and we’re excited to continue the tradition of celebrating accredited aftercare on Whitney Day.” The New York Thoroughbred industry is a leader in aftercare, donating more than $1.28 million toward racehorse retirement every year. In addition to the contributions made by NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), the New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB), the NYRA jockey colony, and individual owners and trainers, two ground-breaking programs have been implemented at the NYRA tracks: owners contribute a per-start fee for every horse that races, and they pay a surcharge on every horse claimed out of a NYRA race. Those two programs alone raise about $500,000 every year. “The work of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is of the upmost importance to the New York Racing Association,” said NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations, Frank Gabriel Jr. “We’re thrilled to highlight such a worthy organization on one of Saratoga’s biggest days of racing.” Photo: Suzie Picou-Oldham
Gallant Plunger
Just two months after completing his last work at Ellis Park, the Madaket Stables-owned, Steve Asmussen trainee retired with a record of 3-3-2 to TAA-accredited Second Stride.
Lou Brissie
Named after WWII war hero and MLB professional baseball player Leland Victor Brissie, meet Lou Brissie, the retired graded stakes winner.
Ensuring a Legacy
Few in racing can say they have accomplished more for retired racehorses than the late John Hettinger. After nearly two decades working abroad–first in corporate sales and marketing, then in real estate development where he ultimately made his fortune–Hettinger and his wife, Betty, returned in 1973 to take over Akindale Farm for John’s father. Located just north of New York City, Hettinger transformed the 55-acre farm into an 800-acre Thoroughbred breeding and racing operation complete with a training track, shedrows, turnout paddocks, and more. The Yale University graduate campaigned numerous homebred multiple graded stakes winners; however, more notable than his influence as a breeder were his contributions to the sport as a whole. “John was essentially a white knight in 1991 when he and his family became the largest shareholders in Fasig-Tipton as it underwent restructuring,” said Fasig-Tipton president and CEO Boyd Browning. “John, as a human being, a shareholder, and a board member had more integrity and understanding of what’s best for the industry than most. He was an exceptional person of unbelievable character, of unbelievable guidance, and always wanted to make sure things were done the right way. He was a fantastic human being and a major influence on Fasig-Tipton and me personally.” Two years before Hettinger’s death in 2008, he transitioned 200 acres of Akindale Farm to be a sanctuary and an adoption facility for retired racehorses and formalized a succession plan to ensure its continued operation long after his life. “He didn’t just talk the talk; he walked the walk,” Browning said. “During his planning for when he passed away, it was important for John to make sure that Akindale was utilized for retired horses. John also provided financial support for the aftercare program after he had passed. He was a true believer who took action to support what he believed and what he said.” Thanks to such planning, Hettinger’s intuitive vision and unwavering devotion to off-track Thoroughbreds live on as hallmarks of Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue. Hettinger was awarded a Special Eclipse Award in 2000 and eventually was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 for his numerous initiatives to support aftercare organizations and the off-track Thoroughbreds they serve. In 2000 he spearheaded the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s inception of the Racehorse Adoption Referral Program, and in 2001 he founded Blue Horse Charities. “I think John was the godfather; the person who really took the torch and raised the bar in terms of the industry’s understanding of aftercare,” Browning said. “He was a very vocal opponent of slaughter in the United States. He cared deeply about horses and was a founding father of the aftercare movement.” Over the past decade the racing industry has faced many challenges, especially those relating to the welfare and aftercare of its equine athletes. The development of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in 2012 is one of the industry’s leading achievements and is a testament to the shared desire to ensure a safety net. For industry participants interested in moving these efforts forward, a detailed succession plan is a vital component. It’s a requirement of TAA-accredited charities. “The main reason we ask for proof of a succession plan is, we want to make sure that the horses have someone who can take care of them if the person who oversees the organization is gone–whether through sickness, death, or whatever the circumstance–if it means they have to be off for a certain period of time,” said TAA accreditation and grants manager Janice Towles. “At the end of the day, you definitely want to make sure that someone else knows what’s going on besides the main person.” Towles said such planning is especially important with smaller operations. “What we’ve found is that a lot of these operations are a one-person show and everything that they knew, they had in their head,” Towles said. “Unfortunately, if they weren’t there or an emergency broke out, they took that information with them. The biggest thing is that the organization does not become awash because nobody knows the operational side of things if the head or the founder is not there.” In general, there are a few key components for consideration when composing a comprehensive succession plan for an aftercare charity: defined roles for all staff, board members, and volunteers; short-term vs. long-term absences; planned vs. unplanned absences; and loss of a facility. Chain of command succession, cross-training staff, and maintaining an up-to-date, detailed operational guidebook are considered TAA best practices. Located in Greenwich, N.Y., ACTT Naturally was founded in 2013 by lifelong animal advocate and exercise rider Valerie Buck. Despite having a comprehensive background working with on- and off-track Thoroughbreds, Buck hadn’t yet considered the necessity of a succession plan prior to applying for TAA accreditation. “When I was filling out the accreditation application for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, they wanted a plan of succession, and I had to Google what a plan of succession was,” Buck recalled. “I applied for accreditation in 2019, so that’s when I put our first succession plan together.” Having realized the toll her absence could have on the horses in her care, Buck and the ACTT Naturally team worked quickly to develop a plan. Thankfully, the organization already had the necessary reliable partners, and now everyone knows what the plan of succession is, should it ever be needed. “It’s not like you can just close the shades for a while and walk away– [ACTT Naturally] is a constant living, breathing machine and the animals need to be cared for daily,” Buck said. “If something happens to me, there needs to be a plan to keep this organization going to continue rescuing horses. We sat down with the board and some of our core volunteers and put together a plan to make sure that if something ever happened that these horses are safe.” In this age, many horses live upward of 25 years. The residents of TAA-accredited Our Mims Retirement Haven had more than modern medicine to keep them bright-eyed
TAA and KEMI Named Beneficiaries of 30th Annual KTFMC Challenge Cup Golf Scramble
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) and Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) will once again be the beneficiary of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club (KTFMC) Challenge Cup Golf Scramble at the University Club of Kentucky. The 30th annual event will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Check-in will begin at 11 AM and shotgun start at 12 PM. Team entries sold out on June 7, 2022. There will be a first, second, and third place team winner for both courses and an overall champion team decided by a one-hole playoff between the first-place team from each course. Lunch will be provided, and a barbecue dinner will follow the golf scramble. “It’s going to be another great turnout at the Challenge Cup Golf Scramble,” said KTFMC President and Taylor Made Vice President of Boarding & General Farm Manager, Logan Payne. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Kentucky Equine Management Internship once again as our beneficiaries. Join us for a beautiful day on the links for two important causes.” “We can’t wait for another fun-filled day at the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club Golf Scramble,” said Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Funding and Events Manager, Emily (Dresen) Scandore. “Thanks to the generosity of the KTFMC and all who participated in last year’s event, over $10,000 was raised for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. We’ll see you out on the green for the 30th annual scramble.”
Secret Deployment
Despite being the son of Godolphin’s 2008 Eclipse Award winning stallion, Midshipman, Secret Deployment lacked interest in racing.
Impressive John R
Impressive John R served as an equine-assisted therapy horse for 9 years at TAA-accredited Central Kentucky Riding for Hope.
ABR Pre-Preakness Party – Silent Auction Items
Join the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at the America’s Best Racing Pre-Preakness party and silent auction on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at the Mt. Washington Tavern in Baltimore, Maryland. The silent auction will feature a variety of signed collectible racing memorabilia, certificates, specialty equine products, and more! CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS Storm Cat | Stallion Halter In 20 years at stud, sired earners of more than $127 million, eight champions, and 108 graded stakes winners, including five winners of Breeders’ Cup races. Includes signed certificate of authenticity from Overbrook Farm. Knicks Go | Stallion Halter 2021 Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male, Longines World’s Best Racehorse in 2021. 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic Winner and 2020 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Winner. Includes signed certificate of authenticity from TaylorMade Farm. More Than Ready | Stallion Halter Leading Sire of Breeders’ Cup Winners, the only sire to have an Eclipse Award Champion each of the last four years, sire of more BTWs than any North American sire in history. Includes signed certificate of authenticity from WinStar Farm. Essential Quality | Stallion Halter 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Winner and Eclipse Champion Two-Year-Old, 2021 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes Winner and Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old. Includes signed certificate of authenticity from Darley’s Jonabell Farm. Cairo Prince | Stallion Halter Sire of more six-figure juveniles in 2021 than any other 4th crop sire with 29 winners from 57 starters and 4 stakes wins in his 4th crop. Includes signed certificate of authenticity from Airdrie Stud. Irad Ortiz, Jr. Signed Bobblehead Three-time Eclipse Award winner as Outstanding Jockey in 2018, 2019, and 2020,and North America’s current 2022 leading rider by earnings. John Velasquez Signed Bobblehead Two-time Eclipse Award winner as Outstanding Jockey in 2004 and 2005, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, and North America’s all-time leading rider by earnings. Tyler Gaffalione Signed Bobblehead 2015 Eclipse Award winner as outstanding apprentice jockey, and America’s second-ranked jockey by wins in 2017 and 2020. Framed Kentucky Derby Autograph Collection 16×20 framed print of the Kentucky Derby trophy signed by winning owners, trainers, and jockeys of the Derby from 1966 through 2021. Notable autographs include Penny Chenery (Secretariat), Ron Turcott (Secretariat), Steve Cauthen (Affirmed), Dr. Jim Hall (Seattle Slew), Victor Espinoza (American Pharoah), Calvin Borel, D. Wayne Lukas, Edgar Prado, John Sheriffs, Kent Desormeaux, and more. Framed and Signed Justify Print 16×20 framed print of Justify signed by Bob Baffert and Mike Smith. Photo by Suzie Picou-Oldham. Budweiser Arlington Million Framed Art Framed official Budweiser Arlington Million poster from the 1985 race, known as the Miracle Million. The race was held 25 days after the entire Arlington clubhouse and grandstand were destroyed by fire. Triple Crown Jockey Autograph Collection Framed collection of autographed photos of Triple Crown winning jockeys: Ron Turcotte (Secretariat, 1973), Victor Espinoza (American Pharoah, 2015), and Mike Smith (Justify, 2018). Each photo includes a certificate of authenticity. Kentucky Derby Winner Rich Strike Framed and Autographed Collage Framed print of Rich Strike winning the 148th Kentucky Derby signed by trainer Eric Reed. Photos by Suzie Picou-Oldham. Monomoy Girl 2018 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Bundle A 2018 Breeders’ Cup Distaff saddle towel signed by owner Sol Kumin (Monomoy Stables LLC), trainer Brad Cox, and jockey Florent Geroux, PLUS a 2018 Breeders’ Cup race-day program. Bricks and Mortar 2019 Breeders’ Cup Turf Bundle A 2019 Breeders’ Cup Turf saddle towel signed by owner William H. Lawrence, trainer Chad Brown, and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., PLUS a 2019 Breeders’ Cup hat signed by owner William H. Lawrence and trainer Chad Brown. Blue Prize (ARG) 2019 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Bundle A 2019 Breeders’ Cup Distaff saddle towel AND a 2019 Breeders’ Cup hat signed by owner John Moores (Merriebelle Stable), trainer Ignacio Correas,and jockey Joe Bravo, PLUS a 2019 Breeders’ Cup race-day program. Vino Rosso 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic Bundle A 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic saddle towel signed by owner Mike Repole (Repole Stable), trainer Todd Pletcher, and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. AND a 2019 Breeders’ Cup hat signed by trainer Todd Pletcher, PLUS a 2019 Breeders’ Cup race-day program. Kentucky Oaks 146 Signed Saddle Towel A mini saddle towel signed by Brad Cox and Florent Geroux, trainer and jockey of winner Shedaresthedevil. Kentucky Oaks 147 Signed Saddle Towel A mini saddle towel signed by the jockeys of the 2021 Kentucky Oaks. Kentucky Derby 147 Signed Saddle Towel A mini saddle towel signed by the jockeys of the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Kentucky Oaks 148 Signed Saddle Towel A mini saddle towel signed by the jockeys of the 2022 Kentucky Oaks. Kentucky Derby 148 Signed Saddle Towel A mini saddle towel signed by the jockeys of the 2022 Kentucky Derby Preakness Stakes 146 Bundle A mini saddle towel signed by the jockeys of the 2021 Preakness Stakes and the race-day program signed by the jockeys of the 2021 Preakness Stakes. 2023 Uncle Lino Stallion Season One 2023 No Guarantee season to stallion Uncle Lino, currently standing at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, MD. Grade 1 performer and record setting SW Uncle Lino, by leading sire Uncle Mo and out of a half-sister to Leading sire Shackleford. No Guarantee purchase of stallion season is NON-REFUNDABLE UNDER ANY CONDITION including the unavailability, infertility or death of the stallion, or the mare’s death, inability to conceive or carry to term, once named and covered or for any other reason. Christine A. Moore Millinery Fascinator Featured Milliner of Kentucky Derby 144, 145, 146, 147 & 148 and of the Preakness Stakes and The Florida Derby; featured Milliner at Keeneland; Official Milliner of Breeders’ Cup and Jim McKay Maryland Million Day; Official Milliner of TOBA and the Iroquois Steeplechase; Official Hat Designer of America’s Best Racing. Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Bundle A certificate for a FREE veterinary examination with Dr. Andie Fox in Lexington, KY PLUS a gift bag of Resolvet products. Valued at $550. Brook Ledge Horse Transportation Voucher Voucher for one box stall shipment of a horse from
Champion’s Day Features Women in Racing and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be present on Champion’s Day at the Ladies in Racing Symposium, followed by a race presentation on the undercard. On Tuesday May 3, Champions for a Change will feature Ladies in Racing with a symposium of influential women in the Thoroughbred industry. A power-house panel of women will be featured, and all tickets have access to the symposium. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance supporters Shannon Arvin, Keeneland Association president & chief executive officer, and Dora Delgado, Breeders’ Cup World Championships executive vice president & chief racing officer, are among the panelists for the symposium. Purchase tickets in the brand new Homestretch Club at Churchill Downs in support of Thoroughbred aftercare. Tickets are $110 and all-inclusive of food, beverage, and alcoholic beverages. $10 of each of these tickets will be donated to Thoroughbred aftercare organizations, including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. To purchase Homestretch Club tickets in support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance , CLICK HERE. Race 6, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Race, goes off at 3:18 pm ET on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. A presentation of a TAA blanket and swag bag will be made to the winning connections following the running of the race. Eight three-year-old’s and up will make their bid on the dirt going six furlongs for the $30,000 maiden claiming race. Of the eight Thoroughbreds entered, three have connections to a TAA supporter: #2 TEO trained by Steve Asmussen & bred by Brereton Jones; #3 BABY QUINN owned in-part by Madaket Stables LLC (Sol Kumin); #4 LUNAR ROCKET owned in-part by West Point Thoroughbreds (Terry Finley). “Churchill Downs is proud to continue the legacy of Champions Day by celebrating women in racing and continuing to support our dedicated thoroughbred aftercare partners,” said Churchill Downs Inc. Director of Community Relations, Cathy Shircliff. “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is excited to join Churchill Downs in celebrating women in racing on another exciting Champion’s Day,” said Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance funding and events manager Emily Scandore (Dresen). “We are grateful to partner with Churchill Downs and showcase their support of accredited aftercare.” Photo: Suzie Picou-Oldham
Peyton Place
The day Peyton Place broke his maiden, he caught the eye of TAA-accredited MidAtlantic Horse Rescue Executive Director, Bev Strauss.