Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

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,...

Kentucky House Bill 8, passed during the 2024 General Assembly, has allocated $250,000 of annual funding to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the TAA announced Monday. The funding will go directly to accredited aftercare facilities in Kentucky that play a critical role in ensuring the wellbeing of horses beyond their racing years. The TAA will award the funds to the accredited organizations and facilities where they can have the greatest impact. "We are grateful to the Kentucky legislature, the Governor and everyone involved in this...

Eight races with purses and awards totaling more than $1.5 million will be offered as part of the undercard of Breeders' Cup championship weekend at Del Mar Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, the Breeders' Cup and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club announced Monday. Five undercard races will be contested as part of the Oct. 31 Future Stars Friday program, highlighted by the $200,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes for 2-year-olds at one mile on turf, and the $200,000 Listed Senator Ken Maddy Stakes for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up at five...

After months of research and stakeholder engagement for Mike Repole's National Thoroughbred Alliance initiative, I read the Aug. 26 open letter, "When Does a Thoroughbred Earn a Safe Retirement" with interest and, assuredly, shared frustration. The authors have been at the forefront of fighting the slaughter pipeline for years. The most basic finding of my research has been, to little surprise, that the space often referred to as "aftercare,"--which I will call "beyond racing"--is grossly underfunded and underdeveloped. If anyone suggests to you that our industry is doing enough at...

Thoroughbreds are the very fiber and backbone of the industry and there is no racing or breeding program without them. Horse racing in the United States had a $36.4-billion impact on the national economy in 2023 and supported nearly 500,000 jobs. Racing and breeding alone contributed an estimated $16 billion in direct value to the economy. Thoroughbreds are bred deliberately, intentionally, and with careful planning. They are "created" with the goal of winning, with the goal of earning, with the goal of making money. Why are so many Thoroughbreds ending...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will return to Saratoga during the first week of August to highlight accredited aftercare through a variety of initiatives at both Saratoga Race Course and Fasig-Tipton, the TAA announced Thursday. The organization will participate in events during Whitney weekend, which includes the GI Whitney Stakes, and will remain active through the Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling Sale the following week. The New York Racing Association will feature Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as its Community Partner during Whitney weekend and TAA will also be present at NYRA's Community Outreach Booth on...

Submissions for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's Calendar Photo Contest will be accepted through July 28 and the winners will be announced October 2025. Winner receives a Tipperary Helmet of Choice and a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance swag bag. Additionally, 12 winners receive a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance swag bag. All winners will receive a free calendar. The Calender photo contest prizes are sponsored by Tipperary Equestrian. For officials rules of the contest, click here. To submit an entry, click here.

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...

Dave Rodman, announcer at Maryland's racetracks since 1991, has been named recipient of a Special Award of Merit for his contributions and positive impact on the racing industry. Rodman will be presented with the award at the May 15 Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course. A native of New Orleans, Rodman worked as a deejay at various radio stations before calling his first race at Jefferson Downs in 1981. He moved to Louisiana Downs in 1985 before becoming the track announcer for the Maryland Jockey Club, calling races at Pimlico,...

Spendthrift Farm will sponsor the upcoming Sir Barton Stakes, presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The farm will also make a donation of $50,000 to the TAA during a check presentation following the running of the race on the May 17 Preakness Stakes undercard at Pimlico Race Course. "We are honored to partner with Spendthrift Farm for this year's Sir Barton Stakes," said Stacie Clark Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. "Their commitment to the welfare of Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers is inspiring, and we are deeply...

Owner Mike Repole will match donations made to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance throughout the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the TAA said Tuesday. The campaign, made in honor of Repole Stables Derby entrant Grande (Curlin), will match donations up to $50,000 through May 4. "Every Thoroughbred athlete deserves an enjoyable and quality retirement. I am honored to support Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and their mission of accredited aftercare," said Repole. "I encourage others to join me in making a charitable donation during one of the most anticipated weeks of...

After the eighth race at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 1, horse owner and philanthropist Ken Freirich will make a $100,000 donation to four Thoroughbred retirement charities to be split evenly amongst them, it was revealed in a joint press release. The four aftercare organizations are New Vocations, Second Stride, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and the Thoroughbred Charities of America. Freirich, who is a part of owner of Kentucky Derby hopeful Sandman via his involvement with West Point Thoroughbreds, will present the check in the winner's circle after the eighth race on...