TCA

A recent article in the TDN, "He Thought His Horse Had Been Retired, So Why Did It Show Up at Chippewa Downs?" has attracted a lot of attention. It should. It's an unfortunate situation: an older Thoroughbred, sold for breeding purposes and believed by its owner to have been retired from racing ultimately returns to racing under new connections, raising understandable concerns about welfare and accountability. Scenarios like this are preventable and can be addressed through an existing protocol. Transferred as Retired from Racing (TRR)--a process available to all owners--should...

Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) has received a generous grant from an anonymous donor to provide backpacks and school supplies for children of backstretch workers across the country, the non-profit said in a Thursday release. With more than 2,500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies, TCA plans to distribute the gift to 33 racetrack chaplaincies. Those organizations will deliver them directly to families over the summer so that kids can be ready for the school year. Click here to learn more.

The online portion of Thoroughbred Charities of America's (TCA) annual Stallion Season Auction presented by the Goodman Family is underway and runs through Friday, Jan. 9, with staggered closing times starting at 4 p.m. ET., the non-profit said via a release on Wednesday. The TCA's largest fundraiser during the year includes 175 seasons with sires such as Army Mule (by Friesian Fire), Life is Good (by Into Mischief), Flightline (Tapit), and McKinzie (Street Sense) all available for online bidding on Salering.net. The majority of seasons will sell 'no guarantee' however...

Before we can solve the Thoroughbred aftercare problem, we must first define it--and understand its full scope. For this discussion, aftercare refers to the rehoming, retraining, and retiring of Thoroughbreds who: never make it to the racetrack; are not fast enough to race; have finished their racing careers and lost commercial value; can no longer perform as sport horses; or no longer serve useful breeding purposes. When I first began asking industry insiders what it would truly cost to provide lifetime care for all Thoroughbreds that need it, I could...

Newtown Anner Stud Farm's Praying (f, 3, Vekoma--Pray for Leslie, by Bernardini), a 21-1 upset winner of the GIII Prioress S. at Saratoga Aug. 30, backed up that breakout performance with a half-length victory over her elders in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. at Keeneland. Favored Vahva (Gun Runner) was second. Zeitlos (Curlin) was third. "It's surreal," winning trainer Robbie Medina said. "There's nothing like winning a big stakes at Keeneland. It's great." Praying raced in an outside fifth beneath John Velazquez and made...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Day on Saturday, honoring organizations and individuals dedicated to retired racehorses, will be staged at Churchill Downs Saturday, Sept. 27, according to a Churchill Downs release. Nine aftercare organizations will be on-site, including Friends of Ferdinand Inc., Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, New Vocations, Old Friends, Second Stride, The Secretariat Center, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Charities of America and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Each organization has shared a special Thoroughbred Aftercare Day ticket link on their social media channels. A portion of each ticket purchased through those links will be...

After a record number of applications in 2025, Thoroughbred Charities of America grants to 98 organizations totaling over $1.1-million were recently awarded, according to a press release from the non-profit on Thursday afternoon. The TCA said that 63 aftercare organizations, 24 backstretch and farm worker programs, seven equine-assisted therapy organizations, three Thoroughbred incentive programs, and one research organization comprised this year's tally. The TCA release added that their grant committee established clear funding priorities with emphasis placed on approved organizations working to serve the backstretch and farm employee communities as...

Robert N. Clay has been selected by the Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Club of America (TCA) as the 2025 Honor Guest, the organization said via a Friday press release. A former president of the TCA, Clay will be feted at the 94th Testimonial Dinner, which will be held at Keeneland on Saturday, Nov. 15. Current TCA President W. Chapman Hopkins said, "Mr. Clay's impact on the Thoroughbred industry has spanned decades. From managing influential stallions, to owning and breeding multiple graded stakes winners and most recently leading Grandview...

Racing industry participants are invited to the latest Speaker Series, a popular event hosted by the Thoroughbred Club of America (TCA) and which will feature HISA's CEO Lisa Lazarus as the guest after a day at the races at Keeneland. Lazarus will give a presentation discussing the first years of HISA and how to navigate the coming years. Scott Hazelton will moderate a panel discussion, which will include Dale Romans, Steve Asmussen, Elliot Walden, Dr. Stuart Brown, and possibly others, including Mark Casse. A question and answer session will follow....

Sponsorships for The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP)'s 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, are currently available. The event takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park on Oct. 8-11. "Partnering with the Thoroughbred Makeover makes companies more than just a sponsor," said Megan Garlich, RRP development manager. "Our sponsoring partners join a passionate team of individuals and organizations committed to the advancement of Thoroughbreds in equestrian sport and the development of dedicated trainers who invest in their future. We are grateful to the many sponsors...

The online portion of Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA)'s annual Stallion Season Auction has begun and will run through Friday, Jan. 10. Additionally, an online silent auction of non-season items, including halters worn by Rachel Alexandra, Munnings, Practical Joke, Sierra Leone, and Seize the Grey; artwork; unique experiences; horse vanning; and more will be offered. A list of the seasons available can be found here, while a list of silent auction items is available here. Presented by Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation, the auction--TCA's largest annual fundraiser--features nearly 200 seasons. The...

Zoe Cadman and Michelle Yu Hanson will host Thoroughbred Charities of America's Bash at the Breeders' Cup presented by Churchill Downs Incorporated on Friday, Nov. 1 at the Del Mar Hilton in Del Mar, Cal. The evening will offer savory bites, handcrafted cocktails, live music by Haute Chile, and an opportunity to bid on items all in support of TCA. Tickets are available here. Cadman is host and analyst for XBTV, Santa Anita Park and 1/ST Racing. Michelle Yu Hanson is a member of the Santa Anita Park simulcast team...