aftercare

The 22nd New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show Presented by Heider Family Stables raised over $184,000, according to a press release from the organization. Proceeds from the event go directly to support New Vocations' efforts to rehab, retrain and rehome retiring racehorses. New Vocations' annual show brought together over 150 retired Thoroughbred racehorses from 14 different states, showcasing the versatility of the breed. Both familiar faces and new exhibitors competed in a variety of classes, including dressage, hunter, jumper, in-hand, Western, and pleasure. New additions to this year's show included...

The nomination period for the 2025 Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award is now open, the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced Monday afternoon. Named in the memory of chief steward Bill Kraatz, the award recognizes a Makeover graduate horse who has gone on to serve as ambassador for the athleticism and trainability of retired racehorses beyond their racing careers. Eligible horses include any Thoroughbred Makeover graduate who was registered for the retraining competition--even if he or she ultimately did not compete--regardless of who now owns said horse. Nominations, which will...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be onsite at Saratoga Race Course for Belmont Stakes weekend, according to a press release from the non-profit on Thursday. To highlight accredited aftercare, the New York Racing Association, Inc (NYRA) will honor the TAA with a named race on the undercard on Friday, June 6, and a presentation will be made to the winning connections, which includes a gift bag. TAA representatives will be present to host the winners of the VIP experience donated by NYRA that was auctioned off earlier in the year...

There is a problem and John Stewart of Resolute Racing wants to be part of the solution. His goal is for the industry to find a way to give every horse that comes off the racetrack a second home. He knows that won't be cheap, which is why he will spend part of his Derby week hosting his Poker For Ponies tournament. His goal is to raise $500,000 that will be divided up among 50 aftercare organizations. The event will take place on Thursday, May 1 at the Omni Hotel...

The aftercare rehabilitation and retraining organization Second Stride will hold "Champions Night" at Louisville's Valhalla Golf Club Monday, Apr. 28 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The evening will feature a Derby/Oaks handicapping panel, a silent auction, a Derby contenders halter pull, and appearances by Triple Crown-winning jockeys, as well as Kentucky-inspired food and beverage, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and a dessert bar. Tickets are $150 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets for Second Stride's biggest fundraiser of the year, click here.

Those of us fortunate to have been in the Thoroughbred industry for any length of time--whether with hands on horses daily or from behind a desk or from somewhere in between--have seen hundreds, and more likely thousands, of horses in this sport. It can be easy to pass one up at the sales if they don't have perfect conformation or drop one in for a claim if they haven't measured up on the track. But what we may sometimes forget is that we are all here because of a love...

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages retraining Thoroughbreds into other disciplines after their racing or breeding careers end, has revealed winners and other placings from its 2024 Performance Awards Program, the group announced Friday morning. Created to recognize the Thoroughbreds who accumulated the most points at all horse shows at a wide variety of disciplines and experience levels, the program counted 691 horses from 44 states and five Canadian provinces in 2024. They competed in more than 14,000 classes, divisions, and events with division awards being calculated...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be onsite during Florida Derby Week as they partner with 1/ST RACING and are designated the beneficiary of a golf tournament, according to a press release from the non-profit on Thursday. TAA will be honored with a named race on the Mar. 29 Derby undercard. Following the running of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections including a TAA gift bag. A representative from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be host the winners of the "Off to the Races" VIP Experience online...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present at Turfway Park for the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Saturday, March 22, the organization announced Wednesday. Turfway Park will highlight accredited aftercare throughout the event including Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, who will be honored with a named race. Following the conclusion of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections, which will include a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance blanket and gift bag. "Turfway Park is excited to welcome back Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for our Jeff Ruby Steaks Day," said Tyler B. Picklesimer, Director...

Raffles of six all-inclusive box seats to both the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Kentucky Derby will be held by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), with all proceeds benefitting the TRF's mission of providing lifetime aftercare to nearly 400 retired racehorses. Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has donated the boxes, which hold an estimated value of $3,000 for the Oaks and $7,000 for the Derby. The special on-line raffle boxes are located in Section 324, which is on the third floor overlooking the eighth pole. All reserved seating includes food, as...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, Mar. 22 for Texas Champions Day. As a supporter of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Sam Houston Race Park will showcase and raise awareness for accredited aftercare throughout the entirety of the race day and race meet. "We are very excited to host Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and their VIP guests for Texas Champions Day," said Bryan Pettigrew, Vice President & General Manager of Texas Racing Operations, Sam Houston Park. "As supporters of accredited aftercare, we are honored to highlight...

Maggie Sweet has been in her job at the TRF for a year now, after leaving Todd Pletcher Racing, and she has learned a lot--chiefly, that the racing industry isn't focusing enough on the need to provide lifetime dignified retirement for its athletes. She appears on the TDN Writers' Room to discuss the issue.