Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

The recent Thoroughbred Daily News piece by Mike Repole and The Jockey Club's response were both timely and important. Regardless of where one stands on the broader debate, Mr. Repole is plainly correct on this point: the Thoroughbred industry still does not do enough to fund aftercare. For decades we relied on good will, volunteerism, and heroic nonprofit work to clean up the back end of an industry that generates enormous revenue at the front end. That model was not sustainable nor was it morally defensible. In 2011, Jack Wolf...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has formed a new strategic plan for the organization, broadening the scope of its activities, enhancing its sustainability, and developing new partnerships toward encouraging use of Thoroughbreds beyond their racing and breeding years, Walter S. Robertson, Jr., president of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced Wendesday. "Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was formed a little more than 15 years ago, and it quickly achieved its primary mission of becoming the centerpiece of Thoroughbred aftercare support across North America," said Robertson. "After extensive research and analysis and with input from stakeholders across...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will once again serve as the official aftercare partner of the Pegasus World Cup, which will be held Saturday at Gulfstream Park. TAA will have a named race on both Friday and Saturday and winners of both races will receive a TAA blanket and gift bag. A representative from TAA will be present to host the winners of the "Off to the Races" VIP Experience online benefit auction, which was donated by 1/ST RACING and includes dining for four at the Ten Palms Restaurant, access to...

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...

Drew Fleming, the president and chief executive officer of Breeders' Cup Limited, and Elliott Walden, president, CEO and racing manager for WinStar Farm, have been elected as directors of the board of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the organization said in a release Monday. For a second consecutive year, Walter S. Robertson, Jr., a member of the law firm Stites & Barbison PLLC, will serve as TAA president. "I am honored to continue serving as President of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and grateful for the continued confidence of the Board of...

The fourth annual Holiday Giving Campaign, run for the benefit of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), is set to run the month of December to raise funds, the group announced Friday morning. Designed to raise awareness for accredited Thoroughbred aftercare and to support those organizations that ensure retired runners enjoy a good quality of life after their first career, the initiative raised $240,000 last year. This year the goal is to continue making a meaningful impact for Thoroughbreds in need and build on prior success. "We are thrilled to kick...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will award $4.7 million in grants to 86 accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations in 2025, the organization announced Tuesday. The financial support is designed to assist organizations in delivering exceptional care and rehabilitation services for retired racehorses. Of the $4.7 million in grants awarded this year, $250,000 was provided by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is being delivered directly to accredited aftercare facilities in Kentucky. "Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is proud to continue supporting our 86 accredited organizations through this year's grant awards," said Janice Towles, Director of...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) has named 49 aftercare organizations who have been awarded accreditation for 2025, the non-profit said in a Friday release. The 49 organizations include 40 organizations who are continuing their accreditation and nine earned accreditation for the first time. Applications will open again in January of 2026. Click here for a complete list of accredited organizations.

Edited Press Release After the Races, the organization that provided Jersey Fresh with the groundwork he needed to go from the racetrack to success as a show jumper, and CANTER USA, where owner Dr. Kate Carruthers found her TAKE2 Hunter Finals champion Red Magic, have been announced as the 2025 TAKE2 Jet Run Award winners. Created in 2017, the Jet Run Awards put the spotlight on the aftercare organizations that are essential in transitioning Thoroughbreds to second careers. "Racehorses still have so much to give when they leave the track...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will serve as a sponsor of the Freestyle discipline at this year's Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium. The 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 8-11. The event is designed to showcase the talent and versatility of off-track Thoroughbreds, while supporting their transition to successful second careers. The Freestyle discipline will take place Oct. 9 in the Covered Arena beginning at 8 a.m. This discipline is a free-form competition designed...

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,...