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 continue to support the TAA and the individual accredited farms who care for our retired equine athletes during this difficult time,” said NYRA CEO and President Dave O'Rourke. “The care we provide our retired horses is essential and we encourage our fellow racetracks to contribute to the TAA to the best of their ability.”
Live racing on the NYRA circuit was last conducted Mar. 15 at Aqueduct before being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. The track's winter meet was scheduled to continue through Mar. 29 and the spring meet was slated to run Apr. 2 through Apr. 19.
The TAA is a nonprofit organization that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. The TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members.
“NYRA and NYTHA have shown their sincere understanding and genuine commitment to aftercare. It is so meaningful to the TAA and our accredited organizations to receive this funding especially under the circumstances. We cannot thank them enough,” said TAA President John Phillips.
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