thoroughbred aftercare

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...

Churchill Downs has launched Gallop for Good: From Race to Retirement ("Gallop for Good"), a national online giving campaign supporting Thoroughbred aftercare nonprofits, centered around a one-day giving event on Churchill's Stephen Foster Day, June 27. Gallop for Good supports Thoroughbred aftercare, which includes programs and services that help retired racehorses transition into second careers, adoption, rehabilitation, sanctuary and lifelong care after racing. Hosted by CDI, the campaign will operate through a centralized online platform, giving participating organizations the opportunity to raise critical funds, expand their reach and engage new...

This season, The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) will unveil Graduate Classes during its Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The Graduate Classes will provide an opportunity for Thoroughbred Makeover alumni to return to the Kentucky Horse Park and compete once again as part of the Thoroughbred Makeover experience. The Graduate Classes are open exclusively to any horse that was registered for the Thoroughbred Makeover in previous years, including those that are under new ownership or were withdrawn prior to the competition. This program provides an...

Nearly four years ago, I embarked on a mission to highlight the remarkable Thoroughbred while giving back to the aftercare system that supports them post-track. At that time, options for retiring Thoroughbreds were limited, and initiatives like the Retired Racehorse Project were just gaining traction. So, what is BEYOND the Backstretch (Btb)? At its core, Btb operates as a Thoroughbred Reinvestment Manager, where competition meets purpose. Our model creates a sustainable cycle: sponsors invest in horse shows by underwriting prizes and ribbons, which helps offset event costs. This allows entry...

The non-profit equine adoption program Second Stride, based in Prospect, Kentucky, is conducting a series of three fundraisers with Kentucky Derby themes designed to support retired Thoroughbred racehorses as they transition to second careers beyond the track. "Derby season is when the world falls in love with the Thoroughbred," said Second Stride founder Kim Smith. "What many people don't see is what comes next for these horses. As more horses enter aftercare and require longer, more individualized support, our work--and the community's role in it--has never been more important. These...

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...

Many Horse Country, Inc. tours offer an inside look at the breeding business, from prestigious stallion divisions to boutique foal nurseries, but the latest addition to the touring lineup highlights a unique aspect of the Thoroughbred industry. Double Dan Horsemanship in Midway, Kentucky showcases a world where elite equine performance and aftercare go hand in hand. Since 2008, founders Dan James and Dan Steers have captivated the performance horse world with their signature approach to Liberty horsemanship. In this discipline, horses are trained to perform intricate groundwork and crowd-pleasing tricks...

His name is Immortal Wink (Gimmeawink) and after a career that spanned nine years and 142 races, most of them in Puerto Rico, he was done. He was 10 and had suffered through the kind of wear and tear that is typical with horses who run so often, last so long and wind up at the bottom tier of the sport. He would never go on to a second career, at least one that is typical for a retired Thoroughbred. He just wouldn't be able to do it. But there...

The Retired Racehorse Project has unveiled its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan which is designed to help the 501 (c)3 charitable organization expand support services, strengthen the Thoroughbred Makeover, and deepen collaboration across the racing, equestrian and aftercare sectors. The plan includes three priorities, which represent the RRP's commitment to building a more informed, unified, and sustainable future for the Thoroughbred aftercare community: Strengthen capacity through Thoroughbred Makeover refinement and renewed focus on supportive programming for anyone involved with the breed; Build and amplify the RRP's brand identity as a leading non-...

Racing has a legacy to rectify before it can look to the future. The "Racing in 2036" series struck me for its lack of perspective from the aftercare segment of the industry. Post-racetrack life for our equine athletes was mentioned a few times, but only in a cursory manner. And certainly without any accountability. Thoroughbred aftercare is chronically underfunded despite the creation of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) in 2012. Aftercare organizations founded before the TAA was created have been underfunded for decades. Programs that predominantly follow the sanctuary model...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's annual Off to the Races online benefit auction opens Thursday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. ET and closes Friday, Jan. 30 at 10 p.m. ET, it was announced Thursday. The online auction provides a chance to bid on 20 VIP racing experience packages, granting access to major race days at renowned racetracks across North America in 2026. "We are thrilled to open the fifth annual edition of the Off to the Races VIP auction," said Emily Dresen, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Director of Fundraising & Events. "We can't...

The 2026 accreditation application process is now open and can be accessed online, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced Monday. Nonprofit Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that are interested in applying for accreditation during the 2026-27 term must submit the completed application by Apr. 1, at 6:00p.m. EDT. All organizations that were accredited in 2023 or any new organizations need to apply for accreditation this year. Others that were accredited in 2025 need not apply as their current accreditation extends through 2026. Accredited Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance organizations are eligible to receive financial...