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All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Previous Post The Jockey Club’s Key Role in Industry Initiatives for Thoroughbred Aftercare The Jockey Club’s Key Role in Industry Initiatives for Thoroughbred Aftercare By: Samantha Smith March 22, 2024 Supporter Feature Tags:supporter, Supporter Feature, The Jockey Club, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Supporter, TIP, TJC TIP The Jockey Club is the non-profit Thoroughbred breed registry for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with the primary responsibility of maintaining The American Stud Book. Its mission is being dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing. The Jockey Club also has several commercial businesses and partnerships whose profits are regularly invested back into the Thoroughbred industry. Each of these businesses touches a point in the life of a horse, from the breeding shed, to the sales ring, to the racetrack, to careers beyond. As a founding member and one of the three industry stakeholders that provided Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with initial seed funding and ongoing support, The Jockey Club recognizes aftercare as an integral industry initiative that requires sustainable backing. “The Jockey Club believes that the horses come first and that the industry has a commitment to its horses throughout their life cycles,” said James L. Gagliano, president and COO, The Jockey Club. “Supporting Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is in line with our mission and our other efforts toward Thoroughbred aftercare.” What makes Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance stand out among other aftercare organizations is that it accredits the facilities it funds. Supporters of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance know that its facilities meet high standards each year and that the horses are receiving the best care possible under the best conditions. James L. Gagliano President and COO, The Jockey Club The Jockey Club demonstrates its support through various methods. Funds from nearly every registry-related transaction are allocated to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and The Jockey Club provides housing and administrative support for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in its Lexington office, free of charge. “What makes Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance stand out among other aftercare organizations is that it accredits the facilities it funds,” said Gagliano. “Supporters of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance know that its facilities meet high standards each year and that the horses are receiving the best care possible under the best conditions.” The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) is one of many industry initiatives spearheaded by The Jockey Club to support aftercare. In addition to supporting Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, The Jockey Club has significant involvement in aftercare through numerous avenues. Within the Registry, there are a few ways aftercare is supported: The Jockey Club’s Checkoff Program The Jockey Club’s checkoff program enables owners and breeders to financially assist five charities by selecting one of the designated amounts or an amount of their choice on the Application for Foal Registration form or during the payment process on Interactive Registration. Thoroughbred Connect Thoroughbred Connect is a resource for horse owners who are looking to rehome a Thoroughbred when its racing or breeding career comes to an end. It is voluntary and is provided free of charge to Interactive Registration users through The Jockey Club Registry. The platform enables people to sign up to provide aftercare assistance for specific horses, while enabling the person assigned a horse’s digital certificate to see if anyone signed up to provide support for that horse. Sold as Retired from Racing Sold as Retired from Racing enables a horse to be listed with The Jockey Club as permanently retired from racing without affecting the horse’s use as a broodmare or stallion. The form can be filled out on paper, notarized, and sent to The Jockey Club or it can be completed digitally. The buyer and seller of the horse must sign the form, and current photos of the horse must be provided for identification purposes. In addition to the Registry, The Jockey Club has aftercare touchpoints through some of its industry initiatives. The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) was created to encourage the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of careers in racing or breeding. Launched in 2011, T.I.P. offers Thoroughbred awards at open horse shows and competitions, a championship horse show, year-end Performance Awards, a recreational riding program, a Thoroughbred of the Year Award, and a Young Rider of the Year Award. The Jockey Club is also involved with other aftercare initiatives, including the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses and United Horse Coalition. “To ensure the future of our sport, we must ensure its horses have a future after racing,” said Gagliano. “Each of us, whether owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, fans, or executives, must contribute to Thoroughbred aftercare if we want Thoroughbred racing to thrive.”   To learn more about The Jockey Club and its supported aftercare initiatives you can visit their website here. THE JOCKEY CLUB’s AFTERCARE INITIATIVES Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s supporters: Industry Stakeholders Share This Article

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights   Previous PostNext Post Pioneering Trust and Riding Resilience: Anna and Pioneerofan Empire’s Enduring Story Pioneering Trust and Riding Resilience: Anna and Pioneerofan Empire’s Enduring Story By: Alexis Arbaugh March 20, 2024 Success Stories Tags:dressage, hunter jumper, Success story, Thoroughbred Aftercare, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Athletes Knowing where to start when you are ready to buy a horse is very unnerving and a difficult process if you don’t have guidance from someone who is experienced in purchasing horses. Anna Krupka sought assistance from her trusted long-time trainer, who then reached out to Lynn Sullivan at Thoroughbred Athletes. Thoroughbred Athletes is a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization located in Gutherie, Oklahoma. It serves as a haven to off-the-track Thoroughbreds who needed caring homes. Lucky, Lynn knew which horse to pair Anna with when her trainer explained exactly what Anna was looking for. Lynn was confident in matching Anna with Pioneerofan Empire. She knew he would find a loving home with Anna and benefit from a well-structured training program. When Anna and Pioneerofan Empire met, there was an instant connection. During their first ride, Anna noticed his enthusiasm for work and willingness to adapt and learn new skills. He displayed a desire for affection but remained cautious, seemingly nervous to get too close. Anna explained, “he was this mysterious mix of wanting love and attention and to learn and go to work, but it’s like he was internally at odds with the fact that he didn’t fully trust people”. His immense personality intrigued her. After their ride, Anna and her trainer both knew that Pioneerofan Empire had found his new home. As part of their regular protocol, Thoroughbred Athletes provides their rescue Thoroughbreds with an opportunity to undergo retraining for a fresh career. As a result, Pioneerofan Empire received some under-saddle training before joining Anna. That training combined with his thirst for knowledge made the transition into a new program very easy. Anna admitted she experienced “ups and downs” in their initial riding sessions. It takes a while for horses and riders to adapt to one another’s styles, personalities, and quirks. The pair continued to work together, and Anna noted gradual improvement as they arrived on the same page. Throughout their journey, Anna found the more they worked together, the more trusting Pioneerofan Empire became. The hard work the pair put into their training allowed a special partnership to develop. Anna discovered that Pioneerofan Empire is dynamic and intelligent. She shared her awe that he enjoys versatility across disciplines. He remarkably transitions from Dressage to Hunters effortlessly, maintaining a calm and professional demeanor regardless of what he is asked to do and eager for new challenges. Currently in their training, Anna and Pioneerofan Empire are schooling First Level Dressage. The duo has been successful at many schooling shows, scoring in the upper 60s and low 70s.  Anna is optimistic that soon they can compete in their first recognized Dressage show at First Level. Pioneerofan Empire also enjoys jumping around in the Hunter ring, so Anna is making sure that he gets his fair share of jump schools. Anna hopes to move up to the 2’6 classes and looks forward to participating in some T.I.P. (The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program) classes, which are exclusively for Thoroughbred horses. “There’s a lot more to the story, but [I] enjoy sharing whenever possible as a platform to support Thoroughbred Aftercare,” Anna wrote. “I used to work in horse racing in Lexington on the commercial breeding side of the business so it’s a cause very near and dear to my heart”. Thoroughbred racehorses, after their track days, deserve a fulfilling second chapter. Accredited organizations who belong to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance offer care and opportunities for these horses, unlocking their potential beyond racing. Examples like Pioneerofan Empire demonstrate how these horses can thrive in new roles such as riding or therapy, each fulfilling a unique purpose in their post-racing life. Share This Article   Do you have a success story that you would like to share? Submit your experience with an accredited organization here: Success Story Submission