John Phillips

"Multiple graded stakes winner Winter Memories died, and not a peep about it anywhere? Seriously?" Last week's tweet sounded like a salvo. The message's verve was driven by a quest for information. The responses underneath that query told the story, as a host of fans who loved and cheered home this gray filly by El Prado (Ire) over a decade ago, posted their sadness after hearing of her loss. Heading out the Old Frankfort Pike at historic Darby Dan Farm, owner John Phillips made the decision not to issue a...

Bill Finley (If Baseball Can Change, So Can the Triple Crown, TDN, Tuesday, May 16, 2023) has hit the nail on the head. As one who was and now is again a baseball fan, I agree that baseball's changes have been dramatic and effective. Some traditions are great, but when traditions are barriers to one's existence they need to be rethought. The truth is that only our sport's diehards would even know the difference if we spread our Triple Crown races out a month apart. The reality is that the...

Stuart Fitzgibbon has been named Stallion Director of Darby Dan Farm. He previously served as stallion seasons sales manager at Ashford Stud and Coolmore, and as general manager, commercial, at Castleton Lyons. "I am delighted to be joining the team at Darby Dan headed by John Phillips," Fitzgibbon said. "Darby Dan has a very celebrated history in the world of bloodstock racing and breeding and continues to offer breeders stallions the caliber of Dialed In and Tapiture that are proven on the track. It's an exciting time to become a...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance board of directors elected James Bell as president for the 2021 term and elected new board members at its meeting Dec. 14. Bell, president and racing manager of Godolphin, served as TAA president in 2014. He has held various positions on industry and community boards, including the The Jockey Club, Keeneland Association, Fayette Alliance, Thoroughbred Club of America, and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. "Seemingly, you can step aside but not away from an organization so meaningful and impactful as the TAA," Bell said. "We've...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has announced that $3.5 million will be awarded as grants to 81 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that currently hold TAA accreditation. Since inception in 2012, the TAA has now awarded more than $20.7 million in grants to accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations. "We are grateful to the TAA's many supporters that have allowed us to award $3.5 million this year," TAA President John Phillips said. "We know these funds will significantly assist the work of TAA-accredited organizations during this challenging time. As we look forward to 2021, we...

Officials at the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced Tuesday that 34 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations have been awarded accreditation, including 26 previously accredited organizations and eight that received accreditation for the first time. TAA-accredited organizations undergo a thorough application and inspection process prior to accreditation. Once accredited, they are eligible to receive financial grants to support Thoroughbreds in their care. The TAA has awarded $17.2 million in grants to accredited organizations since 2012. "We congratulate the aftercare organizations that earned TAA accreditation this year, including the new organizations joining the TAA...

The Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) has joined the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) as an industry stakeholder and has pledged its monthly financial support to aid accredited aftercare non-profits in the Sunshine State. "We take our responsibility seriously to provide care and the opportunity for a new life to our equine athletes who have concluded their racing careers," said Tom Cannell, treasurer of the Florida HBPA. "Partnering with TAA and their accredited reorganizations will provide us an opportunity to successfully achieve these mutually desired goals." Currently the TAA...

Despite the world seemingly on hold, the TAA is moving forward, albeit with some improvisation given the circumstances, but forward nonetheless. Specifically, the accreditation process for 2020 is well underway and functioning as normal as the team is currently reviewing the submitted applications. Now more than ever, our 74 accredited organizations with their 160 facilities need support. We are striving to maintain regular contact with these aftercare soldiers on the ground and provide them with as much information and assistance as possible. Although informal surveys do not suggest a wave...

The New York Racing Association and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association have announced they will match the projected per start owners' aftercare contribution to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance through the end of the now cancelled Aqueduct Racetrack spring meet. New York's owners donate $10 per start to the TAA, and NYRA matches that donation at the conclusion of each meet. Based on a projection of 1,200 starters through the end of April at Aqueduct, NYRA and NYTHA will contribute $24,000 to the aftercare program. "It is important that we...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance issued its second round of grant checks early in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants totaled $1.7 million. TAA President John Phillips issued the following statement: "Amid a global crisis, even one that closes the doors to many businesses, horses still need care. Thanks to our supporters, industry partners, sustainable funding programs, and rigorous financial discipline throughout our history, the TAA is able to continue its mission of accrediting and funding aftercare organizations, even during this difficult time. More than ever, work of aftercare is...

Fasig-Tipton Company, Inc. and Keeneland Association representatives announced revised procedures to provide funding to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).  Beginning with the 2020 yearling sales, all sellers/owners will be charged 0.05% of the sales price (for example, $50 on a $100,000 sale) on each horse sold at public auction with the two companies. Previously, sellers have had the opportunity to "opt out" of the TAA contribution. The sales companies will each continue to contribute 0.05% of the sales price on each horse sold at their respective auctions. Buyers will continue...

Ashton Moynihan, the funding director of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, passed away Friday afternoon after a long battle with cancer. Moynihan grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she graduated from Sweet Briar College. Her father, Harrison "Chief" Nesbit was a football player and then coach at the University of Virginia. Her first job was selling advertising for an equine publication. Her love of horses led her to New York, where she worked for a Thoroughbred racing partnership, and finally to Lexington, Kentucky. Moynihan worked at Fasig-Tipton for more than 15...