Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding: Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park presents $80,000 check to TAA.
Photo courtesy of Erin Shea of the the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Every week Horse Nation teams up with Ovation Riding to recognize those doing good in the horse world. This week we recognize Gulfstream Park for its donation to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
No matter what your thoughts on horse racing, it is difficult to deny that people in the Thoroughbred racing industry are making strides toward ensuring proper aftercare and second career opportunities for their horses. This is especially obvious at Gulfstream Park.
On January 25, 2020, following the fourth race of the Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park presented the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) and approximately 25 of its accredited aftercare organizations a check for $80,000. The $80,000 represents 2% of the purses of both the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) and the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Turf (G1T) that The Stronach Group announced would be awarded to Thoroughbred aftercare. The gift is one of the largest purse contributions to aftercare at a major racing event.
Accepting the check on behalf of the TAA was TAA President John Phillips, TAA board members Jen Shah and Walt Robertson, TAA founding board member Jack Wolf, TAA operations consultant Stacie Clark Rogers, TAA staff Erin Shea and Steve Ruddy, and representatives from the following TAA-accredited organizations: Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, CANTER Michigan, Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, Equine Encore, Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation, Equine Rescue of Aiken, Florida TRAC, Heart of Phoenix, Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds, LongRun, Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Old Friends, Our Mims, Peaceful Ridge Rescue, Racing for Home, RVR Horse Rescue, Second Chance Thoroughbreds, South Florida SPCA, Square Peg, Thoroughbred Athletes, and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
The money awarded to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be used for grants to accredited organizations earmarked for equine care. Since 2012, the TAA has awarded more than $17.2 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently, 74 organizations hold TAA accreditation across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance:
Based in Lexington, Ky., the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, rehome, and retire Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, the TAA has granted more than $17.2 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 74 aftercare organizations supporting approximately 160 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about the TAA, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.
Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.
