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All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Humberger Toggle Menu Previous Post Supporter Feature: Emma-Jayne Wilson Supporter Feature: Emma-Jayne Wilson By: Jay Privman September 18, 2024 Supporter Feature Tags:Industry Stakeholder, supporter, Supporter Feature, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Supporter Photo Courtesy of Woodbine Entertainment Finding good homes for ex-racehorses, and worthwhile second careers for those horses, is something at which champion jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson had been deeply involved well before the advent of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, so the organized structure, the accountability, that Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance brought to the process was something to which Wilson was drawn. She has been an enthusiastic supporter now for years. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s thorough and well-established process of accreditation provides assurance to the Industry that there’s careful review and thoughtful scrutiny as to the parties involved in aftercare,” said Wilson, who primarily has been based at Woodbine through her career. “This upholds and promotes the integrity of the programs, and serves to elevate the confidence in our aftercare options.” Wilson, who turned 43 earlier this month, won both the Eclipse Award and Sovereign Award as champion apprentice jockey for 2005. The native of Canada was eligible for the same Sovereign Award in 2006, and repeated. One of her favorite horses from those early years was the gelding Just Rushing, whose biggest win in concert with Wilson came in the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes in 2007 at age 6. When Just Rushing retired at age 9 at the end of 2010, having made 44 starts and socked away more than $1 million, Wilson took him in. It was one of her first experiences with off-the-track Thoroughbreds. “I was so fortunate to work closely with the connections and help to retire one of my favorite thoroughbreds,” she said of Just Rushing. She also assisted, in 2016, in retiring the gelding Bear No Joke, with whom Wilson won the Grade 2 Kennedy Road Stakes back in 2013. Bear No Joke “was claimed with the intent to secure his retirement,” Wilson said. “I worked closely with veterinarians to ensure he was at his best to enjoy a second career, and he went on to be paired with a young person whose connection with him was very special.” Wilson has helped with several rescues, “supporting efforts to secure and withdraw horses from unfortunate circumstances,” she said. One of those was Belle Gully, whom Wilson had ridden to victories in claiming races at Woodbine in 2005 and 2006. Belle Gully “is currently teaching children to ride at the age of 23,” Wilson said. Wilson has been a significant financial supporter of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “I have a deep appreciation for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s industry-wide impact,” she said. “My support is based on how crucial I consider their very broad role throughout the industry at large. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s work provides peace of mind to not only the trainers and owners with horses based at racetracks, but also the breeders, to the farm managers, and everyone in between — the horsepeople industry-wide that are committed heart and soul to our horses and can rely on Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s work to ensure aftercare options are in order.” Wilson has gone on to be the winningest female jockey in Canadian racing history, with more than 1,900 victories, and earlier this year she surpassed the United States-based Hall of Famer Julie Krone for the top spot in career purse earnings by a female rider, her mounts having earned more than $90 million. Wilson’s biggest victory came in the Queen’s Plate in 2007, aboard Mike Fox. But it’s obvious that whether a horse has brought her a major stakes victory, or was a claiming horse who found himself in a tenuous circumstance years later, Wilson believes all deserve the dignity of a second career, and her support of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is another example of that commitment. Emma-Jayne pictured with her retired Thoroughbred, Just Rushing; Photo Courtesy of Emma-Jayne Wilson. Emma-Jayne pictured with her retired Thoroughbred, Just Rushing; Photo Courtesy of Emma-Jayne Wilson. Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s supporters: Industry Stakeholders Share This Article  

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Humberger Toggle Menu Previous Post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance On-Site at Santa Anita Park for California Crown Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance On-Site at Santa Anita Park for California Crown FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 18, 2024 News Tags:1ST, accredited aftercare, Best Turned Out, Best Turned Out awards, California Crown, LRF Cares, Santa Anita, Santa Anita Park, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance LEXINGTON, KY — Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, September 28, 2024, for the inaugural California Crown. California Crown Day is headlined by the $1,000,000 California Crown (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita main track. The California Crown is also a “Win and You’re In” race for the LONGINES Breeders’ Cup Classic that will be contested on November 2. California Crown day will offer more than $3 million in elevated purses, including the $750,000, California Crown John Henry Turf Championship (G2) presented by 1/ST BET, the $750,000, California Crown Eddie D Stakes (G2) presented by FanDuel, the $200,000, City of Hope Mile Stakes (G2) presented by MyRacehorse and the $100,000 Unzip Me Stakes presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Following the running of the $100,000 Unzip Me Stakes presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, winning connections will be presented with a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance branded blanket and gift bag in the winner’s circle. A check presentation will be made from 1/ST to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance also following the running of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance race. “We’re excited to host the inaugural California Crown and partner with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to highlight accredited aftercare,” said Nate Newby, General Manager, Santa Anita Park. “This event spotlights the best of California racing, and collaborating with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance provides a great opportunity for race fans and participants to learn more about the mission to support Thoroughbreds after racing.” Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will present the Best Turned-Out awards for all six stakes races at Santa Anita, including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance race. Additionally, all undercard Best Turned-Out winners will receive gift bags from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, with awards also being given to three outriders. The Best Turned-Out awards are generously sponsored by LRF Cares. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is thrilled to be part of the inaugural California Crown,” said Emily Dresen, Director of Funding & Events. “Presenting the Best Turned Out awards with LRF Cares is a great way to showcase the importance of horse care both before and after the track.” About Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Based in Lexington, KY, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $31.9 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 86 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.   Contact Samantha Smith859-224-2882ssmith@thoroughbredaftercare.org   Emily Dresen352-362-6934edresen@thoroughbredaftercare.org Share This Release