second career

The 23rd New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show Presented by Heider Family Stables raised over $180,000 to support racehorse aftercare, New Vocations announced Wednesday. Proceeds from the event, which was held May 29-31 at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, SC, went directly towards New Vocations' efforts to rehab, retrain and rehome retiring racehorses. The charity show brought together over 150 exhibitors from a dozen different states, all showcasing the versatility of their off-track Thoroughbreds. The show featured a wide range of classes including hunter, jumper, in-hand, Western and lead line....

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has formed a new strategic plan for the organization, broadening the scope of its activities, enhancing its sustainability, and developing new partnerships toward encouraging use of Thoroughbreds beyond their racing and breeding years, Walter S. Robertson, Jr., president of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced Wendesday. "Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was formed a little more than 15 years ago, and it quickly achieved its primary mission of becoming the centerpiece of Thoroughbred aftercare support across North America," said Robertson. "After extensive research and analysis and with input from stakeholders across...

Twelve winning photos of Thoroughbreds were selected by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to be featured in the fifth annual TAA calendar. All photos feature a registered Thoroughbred that is either in residence at or has been rehomed by a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization. Each winner will receive Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance branded merchandise and a copy of the calendar. Out of the twelve winners, the grand prize winner, Sara Ruggerone, was selected to be featured on the cover of the calendar and will receive a Tipperary helmet of their choice,...

The list of former breeders, owners, trainers, stallion farms and other connections participating in the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) Makeover Champions, an initiative to encourage more public support of Thoroughbreds in careers beyond racing via the Thoroughbred Makeover, was unveiled Wednesday morning. Makeover Champions have pledged to share updates about their former connected horses that are participating in next week's Thoroughbred Makeover, the largest and most lucrative retraining competition in North America for recently-retired racehorses and former broodmares. Additionally, many participating Champions will attend the event in person to connect...

Kendall Norris has been tabbed the new Marketing and Communications Manager for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the organization announced Tuesday. In this role, Norris will lead the TRF's marketing and outreach efforts, furthering the organization's mission to provide dignified lifetime care for retired racehorses. Previously, Norris led digital marketing initiatives, managed high-profile PR events, and provided specialized marketing consulting for equine and technology businesses. "I'm incredibly honored to join the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation," said Norris. "As a lifelong equestrian, I've always believed in the healing power of horses, and this...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will award $4.14m in grants to a total of 83 accredited aftercare organizations for 2024, the TAA announced Monday. This financial support is designed to assist organizations in delivering exceptional care and rehabilitation services for retired racehorses. Since its inception in 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has seen significant growth, expanding from 23 to 83 accredited organizations and increasing its annual grants from $1 million to $4.14 million. In total, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has awarded over $36.04 million in grants--allocated specifically for equine care. These accredited organizations...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site as a sponsor this year for The Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY October 9-12. The event is the largest retraining competition for recently retired Thoroughbred racehorses and showcases the versatility and adaptability of these athletes as they transition into new careers while highlighting the importance of aftercare in ensuring successful second careers for Thoroughbreds. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will have a booth located in the Covered Arena during the Thoroughbred Makeover. Riders...

Aftercare. It's a hot button topic that is continuously discussed among those within and outside of the Thoroughbred industry. And though the racing community has made leaps and bounds in its efforts to ensure a safe landing for retiring racehorses, there is always room for growth, improved planning and increased funding. One charitable organization is forging a new path in this aspect of the industry, as The Horse Fund establishes a unique precedent for Thoroughbred ownership groups by taking the 'after' out of aftercare and instead, standing in as the...

Thoroughbred aftercare in California will take center stage this weekend as the annual CARMAthon online fundraiser will be showcased live on FanDuel TV for the fourth consecutive year. Throughout the weekend broadcast, FanDuel TV will be amplifying the message and highlighting stories of retired racehorses thriving in their second careers. The goal of the annual fundraiser is to raise $150,000 for retired racehorses. The donations from this fundraiser will help fund CARMA's (California Retirement Management Account) grant program which offers assistance to more than 20 Thoroughbred aftercare charities.

Extravagant Kid (Kiss the Kid--Pretty Extravagant, by With Distinction), winner of the 2021 G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan, has been retired from racing at the age of nine. Trained by Brendan Walsh, the gelding retires with $1,704,683 in earnings from 56 starts, which includes 15 wins, 18 runner-up finishes and seven thirds. David Ross, racing under the banner of DARRS, Inc., claimed the horse four years ago. "We had him scanned and it looked like he was starting to get the beginning of a bone spur," Ross said. "We...