aftercare

On May 5, 2026, the Light Up Racing Board of Directors announced the organization's decision to sunset following Breeders' Cup 2026, in the absence of a long-term organizational home and sustainable funding structure for the work. The following observations are not made from the sidelines. They come from being inside the work. There Is No Silver Bullet One of the most common questions we heard from leaders was simple: what is the solution? The campaign. The message. The strategy that will finally "fix" public perception. The honest answer is that...

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, and New York Racing Association (NYRA) have partnered with the TAKE2 Program to donate $20,000 in prize money for two Thoroughbred Classics. The first $10,000 TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter Classic will be held on the morning of Friday, July 10, at the Saratoga Women in Business Spectacular, and the second on the morning of Friday, August 14, at the Saratoga Summer Horse Show. In addition to the prize money, the winners of the two Classics each will...

Officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have announced the return of its popular summer morning excursion reimagined as the Saratoga Breakfast and Thoroughbred Farm Tours, presented by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc (NYTB). The lineup turns the spotlight on Thoroughbred aftercare and also welcomes the program's first stallion operation. The 2026 series will begin on opening day of the summer meeting at Saratoga, Friday, July 3, and will continue weekly through the final Sunday of the season, Sept. 6. The weekly lineup features Old Friends at Cabin...

The 12th Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, scheduled for June 29 and June 30 in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion and livestreamed, will feature presentations on the progress of the racing industry and how diagnostic equipment and technology is being used to assist in racing safety, the summit announced Thursday. Presentations for June 29 will feature Dr. Tim Parkin discussing the latest statistics from the Equine Injury Database; Liza Lazarus, who will discuss HISA technology and data integration; and Dr. Scott Morrison, who will present on the racehorse and...

The R.A.C.E. Fund will kick off its annual online auction Friday, May 8 on eBay (seller name: racefund) at 8 p.m. ET with all proceeds raised used to help Thoroughbreds in need of retirement and rescue from slaughter. In addition to halters and horseshoes worn by champions, a number of items have been donated from the third phase of photographer Christopher Hoff's private collection. "We have some very exciting and amazing auction items again this year," said R.A.C.E. Fund President Marlene Murray. "We would like to especially thank our volunteer...

The Real Rider Cup, a charity show jumping competition created to support Thoroughbred aftercare, has partnered with Breeders' Cup Charities and Keeneland for its 10th anniversary year, each of whom will field a team of riders and have committed to match their respective team's total raised up to $5,000. Set for Saturday, July 11th in Lexington, KY, the Real Rider Cup encourages participating riders to pledge fundraising efforts for RRC beneficiaries, all while increasing awareness and "fostering a spirit of collaboration and community between the racing, aftercare, and equestrian industries."...

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program will host its 9th Annual Open Barn & BBQ, presented by Seidman Stables on Thursday, Apr. 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET at their Lexington facility at Mereworth Farm, the organization said in a Tuesday press release. Free and open to the public, the event--held concurrently with the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park--will feature educational seminars along with the chance to meet adoptable horses while touring the facility. Click here for more information.

Second Stride plans to honor Mary Nixon with the Industry Champion Award, and Jan and Joan Carstanjen with the Volunteer Award, the non-profit said via a press release on Tuesday. Both will be presented at the organization's Champions Night at Valhalla Golf Club on Monday, Apr. 27. Mary Nixon has been named the third recipient of Second Stride's Industry Champion Award, an honor given to someone within the racing community who has shown distinguished support and transformative dedication to the horses of Second Stride. Additionally, Jan and Joan Carstanjen, parents...

After open letters to the industry Thursday from 1/ST President Aidan Butler and The Jockey Club backed the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, Breeders' Cup Limited also voiced support. Breeders' Cup Limited supports the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would permanently prohibit the slaughter of American horses for human consumption and end their export for that purpose abroad. This measure represents a critical step toward ensuring all horses, regardless of their stage of life, are treated with decency and care. Breeders' Cup...

Following 1/ST President Aidan Butler's open letter to the industry Thursday outlining 1/ST's support for the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, The Jockey Club expressed additional support of the SAFE Act and the future of horse racing, pledging to advance landmark legislation and see it become law.  The Jockey Club stands with 1/ST President Aidan Butler and his colleagues at 1/ST for their support of the SAFE Act and their recent, highly effective work to gain attention for this critical issue for the future of horse racing. We pledge...

ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption and After the Finish Line's Kentucky Derby Charity Moneigh Auction for charity begins Sunday, Apr. 19 and ends Sunday, Apr. 26, the non-profit said in a press release on Tuesday. Most of the original Moneighs were painted by elite stallions and a broodmare that competed in one or more legs of the Triple Crown. Also included are pony horses that accompany them on the racetrack. Proceeds benefit Off Track Thoroughbreds. A total of fourteen original Moneighs are being offered and include, Serena's Song, Curlin, Enticed, Essential Quality,...

Friday, Apr. 3 was my last day at my dream job. After seven years with the Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit, I stepped away from the role of managing director and an incredible team of passionate individuals working towards a simple goal in a complicated landscape: increasing demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. It was the perfect job for someone who grew up horse-crazy, blessed with a way with words but lacking the talent to make it as a full-time horsewoman in any aspect of the industry. I started in...