The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today that 27 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations have been awarded accreditation in 2016. The accredited groups include 19 that were re-accredited and eight that have received accreditation for the first time. The TAA, the only accrediting organization in Thoroughbred aftercare, now boasts a network of 64 accredited organizations, operating at more than 180 facilities across the United States and Canada.
Accreditation is awarded for a two-year period, after which organizations must re-apply for accreditation. All organizations currently accredited by the TAA are eligible to receive financial grants to support the care of their Thoroughbreds. Grant applications are currently being reviewed, for grants to be awarded by the end of the calendar year.
The full list of all 64 TAA-accredited organizations can be found at thoroughbredaftercare.org/taa-accredited-organizations. The 27 organizations that received accreditation this year are: After the Races, Bright Futures Farm, CANTER Michigan, Equestrian Inc., Equine Advocates, Final Furlong, Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, Friends of Ferdinand, Galloping Out (Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Thoroughbred Rescue Fund), Harmony and Hope Horse Haven, Heaven Can Wait, Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds, Illinois Equine Humane Center, Los Angeles Pet Rescue (Farralone Farms), Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program, Our Mims Retirement Haven, Out Side In, R.A.C.E. Fund, Remember Me Rescue, RVR Horse Rescue, Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Second Stride, Square Peg Foundation, The Foxie G Foundation, Thoroughbred Athletes, Tranquility Farm (The Harry A. Biszantz Memorial Center), and War Horses at Rose Bower.
“The organizations accredited by the TAA represent the top echelon of aftercare services, ensuring that the horses retiring from racing are receiving the best possible care and opportunities to find new careers or retirements,” said Jimmy Bell, TAA and Godolphin America president.
All accredited organizations undergo a thorough application and inspection process prior to accreditation being awarded to ensure they meet the TAA’s Code of Standards covering five areas: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Site inspections are conducted at all facilities housing horses for each organization. On-going updates and re-inspections are required of all organizations throughout the term of their accreditation.
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the non-profit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association Inc., the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 64 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from the TAA. To learn more about the TAA, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.
