TAA

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced the launch of the second annual Off to the Races, an online auction campaign which offers the public an opportunity to bid on 17 VIP experience packages on major race days in 2023 and 2024. Each experience package offers a unique itinerary of horse racing-related bucket list activities and tickets to the specified race day(s). "With the help of the racing industry, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance supports 81 accredited charities and thousands of off-track Thoroughbreds," TAA President Jeffrey Bloom said. "Outside of the TAA's...

Edited Press Release Following a month-long effort to raise funds for the TAA's 81 accredited organizations, the TAA Holiday Giving Campaign concluded Dec. 31 with $180,000 raised for accredited aftercare. "It was encouraging to see such enthusiasm for our holiday fundraiser," said TAA President, Jeffrey Bloom. "Thank you to every person who donated to the TAA's Holiday Giving Campaign. It takes a great deal of funds to care for our industry's retired athletes, and large influxes of donations such as these are vital to the TAA's ability to support its...

Edited Press Release The 2023 application for accreditation by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is now available at ThoroughbredAftercare.org/Accreditation. Thoroughbred aftercare nonprofits interested in applying must complete the application by the closing date of Apr. 1 at 6 p.m. ET. Since TAA accreditation is only granted for a specific period of time, organizations with accreditation status ending in 2022 that want to remain accredited must re-apply. "Going into our 11th year of accreditation, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance looks forward to working with new applicants and returning organizations to reach the highest...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)'s month-long Holiday Giving Campaign comes to an end with Bob and Jill Baffert pledging to match all donations up to $10,000 made to the TAA on Dec. 31, 2022--the largest of the campaign. "Every racing season, these horses give us the thrill of a lifetime, bringing immeasurable joy. We all should remember that this holiday season when we stop to count our blessings and express gratitude," said Jill Baffert, who is also a member of TAA's advisory board. "There is no better way to do...

As part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)'s month-long Holiday Giving Campaign, Aidan Butler and his beloved off-track Thoroughbred Cannonstone have pledged to match all donations up to $2,500 made to the TAA Dec. 24. A member of TAA's Board of Directors and CEO of 1/ST RACING AND GAMING, Butler continues to be an advocate for the sport through safety, innovation, and aftercare initiatives. "The TAA is vital to the success and longevity of our racing industry," said Butler. "On a personal level, I wouldn't have my beloved horse Cannonstone...

Beginning Dec. 26--Opening Day of Gulfstream Park's Championship Meet--fans will be able to meet and watch track announcer Pete Aiello call a race while helping to retrain, rehome and retire Thoroughbreds. For a $50 donation per person, up to six fans can watch Aiello call a race from the announcer's booth with the proceeds going to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). "The TAA is very grateful to the team at Gulfstream Park and Peter Aiello for this unique and fun way to raise funds and awareness for aftercare. We hope...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) Board of Directors voted at its meeting Dec. 14 to add six new directors in 2023. For a second consecutive year, Jeffrey Bloom, managing partner of Bloom Racing Stable, will serve as president of the TAA. The directors beginning service in 2023 are: Price Bell, general manager of Mill Ridge Farm; Dr. Bonnie Comerford, DVM, veterinarian at Tiegland, Franklin, & Brokken; Joe De Francis, HISA director and managing partner of Gainesville Associates LLC; Georganne Hale--returning for a second term--vice president of racing development of Maryland...

As part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)'s month-long Holiday Giving Campaign, West Point Thoroughbreds has pledged to match all donations up to $5,000 made to the TAA on Dec. 12, 2022. West Point Thoroughbreds, well known for their success on the track, also emphasizes aftercare initiatives and responsibilities. "The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is an initiative that we all need to stand behind," said West Point Thoroughbreds Chief Operating Officer, Erin Birkenhauer. "A large portion of racehorses are not destined for the breeding shed, but that doesn't mean their well-being...

As part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)'s month-long Holiday Giving Campaign, Donna Brothers has pledged to match all donations up to $2,500 made to the TAA on Dec. 9. "At the end of the day, our industry will be judged by how well we take care of our athletes," said former jockey, author, and reporter for NBC Sports, Donna Brothers. "Not only while they are racing and 'useful' to us, but especially when they are most vulnerable: at the end of their racing careers. Many of these horses make...

As part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)'s month-long Holiday Giving Campaign, Denali Stud has pledged to match all donations up to $5,000 made to the TAA Dec. 1. "Denali Stud proudly supports the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance," said Denali Stud Owner, Craig Bandoroff. "TAA does the due diligence of accrediting aftercare farms and distributing grants to help care for the horses. It's our obligation, not an option, to fund Thoroughbred aftercare. Join Denali Stud and donate to the TAA's Holiday Giving Campaign today." TAA's Holiday Giving Campaign commenced Nov. 29...

For the third year, 300 riders from the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond walked, trotted, and cantered their horses across Pimlico Oct. 31 with proceeds to benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). In total, the 2022 Canter for the Cause raised over $20,000 for the TAA--a nonprofit which provides accreditation and grants to Thoroughbred aftercare organizations dedicated to the retraining, retiring, and rehoming of off-track Thoroughbreds. Sponsored by the Maryland Jockey Club, this annual event also gives riders the opportunity to take their horses through the starting gate and get their...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will award $3.6 million in grants to 81 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that currently hold TAA accreditation. "As the industry's leader in aftercare, the TAA is proud of what we have been able to accomplish in the last 10 years and of the collaborative effort of our industry stakeholders to help raise vital funds to assist our organizations," said TAA President, Jeff Bloom. In total, TAA has awarded over $28.1 million in grants--earmarked specifically for equine care--to TAA-accredited organizations who have retrained, retired, and rehomed over 15,000...