Thoroughbred Aftercare Allliance is Launched

The Second Race was very happy to receive a copy of this Press Release today announcing the creation of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Please read more about this exciting development for ex-race horses.

For Immediate Release:Contact: NTRA Communications: Eric Wing212-521-5316 ewing@ntra.com

THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE IS LAUNCHED New York, NY – February 9, 2012 -

A broad-based group of Thoroughbred industry stakeholders announced today the establishment of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)—an organization designed to serve as both the accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers and a fundraising body to support these approved facilities.

Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is comprised of owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, jockeys, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. “It is our responsibility as owners, tracks, breeders, trainers, jockeys, bloodstock agents, and anyone who has a stake in the game to take responsibility for the aftercare of these great animals who are the keystone of our sport,” said TAA board President and Thoroughbred owner Jack Wolf. "Securing support and funding from Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club, Keeneland and so many other great organizations speaks to the credibility and importance of our effort and is so greatly appreciated.”

Additional support of the TAA has been provided by Adena Springs North, CARMA, Fasig-Tipton, The Jockeys’ Guild, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, The New York Racing Association, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company and Thoroughbred Charities of America. The organization also received staff support from Thoroughbred Charities of America, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The NTRA will continue to provide that support on an ongoing basis. The TAA will accredit aftercare facilities based on a Code of Standards covering operations, education, horse management, facility services and adoption policies.

Simultaneously, the TAA will raise funds on behalf of accredited facilities via institutional contributions that are to be directed 100% to program services rather than to fundraising or general administrative costs.

“The Breeders’ Cup is proud to be one of the initial funders for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and fully support the TAA goals of an industry-wide, annually funded program committed to the placement or second-career retraining of retired Thoroughbreds on a national scale,” said Craig Fravel, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup, Ltd. “Through the contributions of our sport’s stakeholders, we can help ensure that our horses are treated in a dignified manner throughout their lives.” “The Jockey Club’s involvement and support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a natural extension of our other ongoing efforts in the area of Thoroughbred aftercare,” said James L. Gagliano, The Jockey Club’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “The accreditation and proper funding for aftercare facilities will greatly enhance the well-being of our equine athletes, and we encourage other groups and individuals from all segments of our sport to support this Alliance.” "Thoroughbred aftercare is something that touches us all," said Nick Nicholson, President and CEO of Keeneland. "We are proud to do our part, and I know that virtually everyone else will be equally proud to do theirs in order to make the TAA an ongoing success."

The TAA, a 501 (c) (6) non-profit organization with a 501 (c) (3) subsidiary, will fill out its staff and provide additional updates in the coming months. The TAA offices will be based in Lexington, Ky.
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Photo by Cecilia Felix

NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance to Cover Retired Race Horses

AGENDA SET FOR NTRA SAFETY AND INTEGRITY ALLIANCE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SEMINAR

Continuing Education Sessions Targeted to Trainers, Veterinarians, Racing Officials, Aftercare Professionals, Farriers and Racetrack Medical Directors

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) today announced the agenda for the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance Professional Education Seminar to be held Tuesday, October 19 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. The Seminar, sponsored by Keeneland and Pfizer Animal Health, will feature expert speakers from across the country who will discuss health and safety topics targeted specifically to trainers, aftercare organizations, track medical directors, racing officials, farriers and veterinarians. Attendance at the seminar will help satisfy continuing education requirements for racetracks as mandated by the Alliance’s Code of Standards.

One portion of the Seminar will focus on continuing education for trainers. Topics to be covered will include exercise protocol for the young horse; managing post-exercise body temperature, musculoskeletal injuries; nutrition; knowing when to retire a racehorse; importance of voluntary injury reporting; dealing with the media; the importance of pre-race examinations; and working with stewards. Speakers will include: Dr. Reid McLellan, Executive Director, Groom Elite Program; Randal Raub, Director of Horse Business Development, Purina Mills, LLC; Anna Ford, New Vocations; Dr. Jeffery Berk, Ocala Equine Hospital; Dr. Mary Scollay, Equine Medical Director, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission; Stan Bowker, Chairman, Racing Officials Accreditation Program; Dr. Bryce Peckham, Chief Veterinarian, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission; and Eric Wing, Senior Director of Media Relations, NTRA.

Another segment will center on the role of racetrack medical directors. This portion of the Seminar will be led by Dr. Barry Schumer of Keeneland.

D.G. Van Clief, Jr., the former President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., and the NTRA, will lead a session on Thoroughbred aftercare. Topics to be covered include: rehabilitation of horses off the racetrack; infectious disease management; nutrition for mistreated and geriatric horses; veterinary care for the geriatric horse; the Unwanted Horse Coalition; fund raising; marketing the retired racehorse; and best business practices. Speakers will include Dr. Tom Daugherty, DVM; Randal Raub of Purina Mills, LLC; Dr. Rob Holland, Pfizer Animal Health; Ericka Caslin, Unwanted Horse Coalition; Tom Cordova, Cordova Marketing Group; Lynn Reardon, LOPE; Jane Gilbert, ReRun; Anna Ford of New Vocations; Joe Hoffman, Esq., Kelley Drye & Warren LLP; Laura D’Angelo, Esq., Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs; Eric Wing, Senior Director of Media Relations, NTRA; and John Della Volpe, SocialSphere Strategies.

Cathy O’Meara, Coordinator for the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP), will lead a session from ROAP that will include four sections: InCompass RTO lists, what they are and how to share them; Paddock Judge—the duties and responsibilities of checking horse equipment to maintain safety; Clerk of Scales—a presentation on the duties and responsibilities of checking jockey equipment to maintain safety by Tim Kelly, ROAP Accredited Steward and NYRA Clerk of Scales; and Starter—a presentation on safety concerns at the gate and the duties and responsibilities of the starter by Bob Duncan, Consultant and retired NYRA starter.

Mitch Taylor of the Kentucky Horseshoeing School will preside over a segment on hoof care and the foot. Taylor will discuss the physiology of the hoof, while Dr. James Orsini, Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, will provide an update on laminitis research and Dr. Mick Peterson of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory will present on track surfaces and hoof dynamics.

Finally, Dr. Mary Scollay, the Equine Medical Director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will lead a session for veterinarians. Dr. Scollay and Dr. Scot Waterman, Executive Director of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) will discuss medication testing protocols; and Scollay will address the issue of environmental contamination.

For additional information about the NTRA Professional Education seminar, including how to register, contact Casey Hamilton at (859) 422-2627. Discounted hotel rooms for Seminar attendees are being held at the Crowne Plaza in Lexington.