Searching Europe for: aftercare

For the fourth consecutive year, Au-Dela Des Pistes hosted its fundraiser 'Arc Promise' during the weekend of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Supported by France Galop, the fundraising effort drew almost €45,000 in donations for Au-Delà Des Pistes, which finances the convalescence and retraining of retired racehorses, while seeking to promote the versatility of the Thoroughbred.

The funds were generated by donations from the connections over Arc weekend, including Aga Khan Studs, Al Shaqab Racing, Godolphin, Wertheimer et Frère, Juddmonte, Arqana, Coolmore, l'Association des Entraineurs de Galop, Haras d'Etreham, Pascal Bary, Carina Fey, Stéphane Wattel, Gérard Augustin-Normand, Francis-Henri Graffard, Craig Bernick, Serge Stempniak, Haras de la Gousserie, Jean-Claude Rouget, Ecurie Des Monceaux, Baron Edouard De Rothschild, Christophe Soumillon, Mickael Barzalona, Christophe Patrice Lemaire, Eddy Hardouin, Gérald Mossé, Steve Obry, Stéphane Pasquier, Mikel Delzangles, Tim Donworth, Jour De Galop, Equidia, Paris-Turf, Equality.

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The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) participated in Aftercare Alliance Day at Woodbine Sunday, Oct. 8, with a variety of activations on-site over the course of the afternoon.

The Grade II Nearctic S. presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was won by Big Invasion, owned by TAA supporters Reeves Thoroughbred Racing of Dean and Patti Reeves. The winner's circle presentation included a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-branded blanker and a TAA swag bag. Woodbine Entertainment Group made a donation to the TAA, one of many ways WEG emphasized and demonstrated the importance of aftercare throughout the day.

Jockeys and their valets were given the opportunity to designate their earnings to TAA for any races won during the program.

The TAA also presented 'best turned-out' awards, sponsored by Josham Farms in conjunction with the afternoon's four stakes races.

“Woodbine Racetrack serves as a unifying epicenter, consistently attracting a substantial and diverse community of passionate and dedicated Canadian horse racing enthusiasts,” said Stacie Clark-Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “There are a large number of aftercare supporters from Woodbine, where the welfare and post-career support of these athletes remains a top priority.”

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.

Throughout two weeks in early August at Saratoga, which included Whitney Weekend and the Fasig-Tipton sales, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) made a significant impact through multiple avenues, the organization reported in a press release late Thursday.

• NYRA's Community Outreach Booth showcased TAA's efforts and accomplishments.
• Honored with the distinction of having two named races on Aug. 5-6, drawing attention to their vital work.
• Received a $25,000 donation from James and Shari Ough.
• Facilitated a memorable experience for the winners of the VIP package in the Off to the Races VIP Experience Auction, donated by NYRA and the National Racing Hall of Fame.
• Visited various facilities in Saratoga to assess accreditation requirements, ensuring the well-being of retired racehorses.
• Held their annual in-person board meeting, where the board convened to discuss strategies for advancing the organization's goals.

Finally, the TAA issued a special thank you to those within the racing community that came together and made donations in honor of Maple Leaf Mel.

Six of North America's prominent Thoroughbred aftercare organizations will be featured on-site Sunday as part of Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, the track said in a Thursday release.

After post time at 11:45 a.m. (CDT), fans will be invited to learn more about Thoroughbred retirement at several booths set up on the concourse by Friends of Ferdinand, New Vocations, Second Stride, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Charities of America and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

The six participating Thoroughbred aftercare organizations will be featured in the Jeff Hall Winner's Circle during the trophy presentations for each stakes race on the card.

There will be several opportunities for racing fans to donate to the participating charities including a special one-of-a-kind Ellis Park Derby Day t-shirt that will be for sale in the Gift Shop and a watermelon stand where proceeds will benefit Thoroughbred aftercare.

The future of Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare is up in the air as the non-profit organization faces an unprecedented increase in both rehab cases and operating expenses.

“Responsible aftercare is an imperative duty of the racing industry–one that cannot be overlooked or ignored,” said CTA Adoption Coordinator Chrissy Laughlin. “As they profit from breeding and bringing these magnificent horses to Puerto Rico, it is incumbent upon the industry to step up and provide the essential funding for their lifelong well-being and care. Embracing this responsibility with unwavering dedication will ensure a brighter future for these incredible athletes who have given their all on the racetrack.”

The CTA, which has seen a decline in on-island adoptions, has struggled to place horses in suitable homes. So much so that they are unable to accept any additional horses as of Aug. 1 due to “depleted funds for quarantine and transportation.”

Those interested in assisting the CTA can find more information here.

The New York Racing Association, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and New York Thoroughbred Breeders will host the third annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course.

The featured race on Thursday's card will be the $125,000 Rick Violette, a 1 1/16-mile turf test for New York-bred sophomores named for the late trainer and NYTHA President who spearheaded the creation of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Retirement Program.

Representatives from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organizations will be on-site to educate both racing fans and the general public about the importance of responsible aftercare efforts, including Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, ACTT Naturally, Equine Advocates, Lollipop Farm, Lucky Orphans, New Vocations, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, ReRun, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, and Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga.

New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day will begin with an on-track demonstration of retired racehorses showcasing the skills learned in their second careers. New Vocations will be the first to demonstrate the Thoroughbred's athleticism with a jumping display prior to the day's races, and ReRun will follow after the second race with flatwork/dressage exhibition.

The Horse Sense stall, located just outside of the Saratoga grandstand, will feature retired racehorses from Old Friends at Cabin Creek between 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation between 1:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

The thoroughbred aftercare charities in Ireland, France and Britain-Treo Eile, Au-Delà Des Pistes and Retraining of Racehorses-met earlier this month in Newmarket with the aim of bolstering the care racehorses receive upon retirement. 

RoR managing director David Catlow, Au-Delà des Pistes executives Carole Desmetz and Mégane Martins and Vice President Alix Choppin, and Treo Eile executive Anne Connor and co-founder and director Caoimhe Doherty met with Godolphin's charities manager Penny Taylor and IFAR steering group member and Treo Eile co-director Diana Cooper, for the brainstorming session.

All three charities have proved efficient at establishing connections between racing and equestrian disciplines in order to provide increasingly diverse and secure outcomes for thoroughbreds as they embark on their second career following retirement from racing. 

Their respective brands have become household names in the industry and actively contribute to raising awareness about retrained racehorses' versatility and outstanding athletic qualities for all equestrian sports.

The gathering was intended to set up a collaborative base for best practice exchange and a lobbying force to push for transnational topics of welfare and aftercare to be addressed by the respective racing authorities. 

All three charities specifically agreed to combine forces on four issues that were identified as obstacles to aftercare becoming increasingly embedded within racing's objectives and commitments.

Caoimhe Doherty, co-founder and Director of Treo Eile commented, “With tripartite agreements in place for racing and breeding, it is a natural next step for England, France and Ireland to team up in their support for the aftercare of racehorses. 

“We are very grateful for Godolphin's drive and commitment to the support of racehorses after racing, which encapsulates their vision and hosting of the inaugural meeting of representatives from Retraining of Racehorses, Au-Delà Des Pistes and Treo Eile. The sharing of our journeys to-date highlighted common areas of progress and concern. Open conversations addressing the present issue of the 'social licence' relating to our sport, the participation and responsibility of our stakeholders were mutually beneficial, given the varying years our organisations have been in existence.”

She added, “We were very fortunate to avail of Roly Owers, CEO of World Equine Welfare, expertise when discussing the subject of euthanasia. The passion for the welfare of racehorses within each organisation was very evident, as was the positivity to work.”

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be present this year at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby Week and will be recognized with a named race on the undercard of Champions Day happening May 3. Following the running of the TAA race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections including a branded blanket and swag bag.

“Churchill Downs is proud to utilize Champions Day as a platform to recognize the heroes of thoroughbred racing. We look forward to promoting the work of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as we celebrate champions in horseracing,” said Cathy Shircliff, Churchill Downs Incorporated Director of Equine Industry Relations.

“We appreciate the support from Churchill Downs to continue to feature the importance of accredited aftercare,” said Emily Dresen, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Director, Funding & Events. “We are looking forward to being present during such an exciting week of racing.”

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has partnered with 1/ST to promote accredited aftercare awareness on GI Santa Anita Derby day Apr. 8.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be recognized with a named race on the Santa Anita Derby Day undercard. Following the running of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections, including a branded blanket and swag bag. There will also be an opportunity for jockeys to pledge their jocks mount fee throughout the day to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

Representatives from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site as a VIP concierge for one of the VIP experiences that was auctioned off earlier this year in the “Off to the Races” campaign to promote aftercare awareness. This VIP experience was donated by 1/ST.

“Santa Anita Park is pleased to welcome the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance back for Santa Anita Derby Day. At 1/ST, we are committed to furthering the impact of accredited aftercare in the industry and supporting this important work of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,” said Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST RACING & GAMING and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Board of Directors Member.

“The support of 1/ST is invaluable at these premier events,” said Stacie Clark-Rogers, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Operations Consultant. “Having onsite presence is an excellent way to continue the conversation about aftercare. We are looking forward to being at the Santa Anita Derby.”

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be featured at Tampa Bay Downs with a named race on the Tampa Bay Derby undercard Saturday, March 11. Following the running of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections including a branded blanket and swag bag. Tampa Bay Downs will feature and promote accredited aftercare awareness throughout the race day and race meet.

As part of Tampa Bay Down's support, a VIP experience has been donated to the winners of the January 2023 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance “Off to the Races” online benefit auction of bucket list racing events. This all-inclusive VIP experience consists of dining, premium seating, winner's circle access, and more.

“We are excited to have Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on-site during the Tampa Bay Derby with a featured race and hosting a VIP experience,” said Margo Flynn, Vice President of Marketing and Publicity at Tampa Bay Downs. “We value aftercare and think this is a great opportunity to promote everything that the TAA does on one of our biggest race days.”

“The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is thrilled to have such longstanding support from Tampa Bay Downs” said Emily Dresen, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Director, Funding & Events. “Accredited aftercare is important to Tampa Bay Downs, and they continue to promote safe and proper aftercare for our equine athletes through a variety of avenues, and we are so excited to be here for the Tampa Bay Derby.”

After some test rings last spring, Oaklawn's fund-raising efforts for local Thoroughbred aftercare began in earnest Dec. 9 with the opening of its scheduled 68-day live racing season. The final six days of the 2021-2022 meeting raised $14,000 through the new “Ring the Bell” program, which gives winning connections following each race an opportunity to donate at least $100 toward aftercare.

Money raised is earmarked for the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program and Rehabilitation Foundation Inc., a collaboration between the Arkansas division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and Oaklawn. It was recently established as a safe path to a second career for Oaklawn-raced horses upon retirement.

Donations are signaled–loudly–by hand ringing a large copper-colored bell hung in the back of the Larry Snyder Winner's Circle. The idea of intertwining a bell with aftercare was the brainchild of trainer Ron Moquett, best known for his work with Whitmore, a seven-time Oaklawn stakes winner and 2020 Eclipse Award Champion male sprinter.

“I wanted to bring attention and give everybody the opportunity to, when they're at their happiest, they can help right then,” Moquett said. “Ring that bell and it starts up a conversation. 'Hey, that bell is ringing for the respect and love of the horse.' The bell is symbolic and it teaches everybody through the whole grandstand that whenever you hear that bell, that means somebody has donated money to the retired racehorse program. We'd like to hear the bell ring every race, every day. What the sound means is we're helping retired racehorses.”

For more information about the organization, visit the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program website.