FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEXINGTON, KY — Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced today that 39 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations have been awarded accreditation for 2024.

The 39 organizations include 38 organizations who are continuing their accreditation and 1 that earned accreditation this year. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the gold standard and only accrediting body in Thoroughbred aftercare, now has a network of 84 organizations with approximately 172 facilities in North America.

The new organization earning accreditation this year is: Champions Retreat.

The 38 organizations that are continuing their accreditation this year are: After the Races, Bright Futures Farm Inc., CANTER Kentucky, CANTER Michigan, Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare Inc., Center for Racehorse Retraining, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Days End Farm Horse Rescue Inc., Down the Stretch Ranch, Equestrian Inc., Equine Advocates Inc., Equine Rescue & Adoption Foundation Inc., Final Furlong Inc., Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program Inc., Friends of Ferdinand Inc., Galloping Out, Harmony and Hope Horse Haven Inc., Healing Arenas Inc., Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds, Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue Inc., Illinois Equine Humane Center NFP, Lollypop Farm (Humane Society of Greater Rochester), New England Equine Rescue (NEER) North, Our Mims Retirement Haven Inc., Out Side In Inc., Remember Me Rescue, Sandia Creek Ranch Auxiliary Foundation, Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption & Placement Inc., Second Chance Thoroughbreds Inc., Second Stride Inc., Square Peg Foundation, The Foxie G Foundation, The Susan S. Donaldson Foundation Inc., This Old Horse Inc., Thoroughbred Athletes Inc., Tranquility Farm, and TRRAC Inc.

Accreditation from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is an important recognition for organizations that provide care and support for retired racehorses. It signifies that these organizations meet certain standards and criteria in terms of horse welfare, facilities, and management.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organizations undergo a thorough application and inspection process prior to accreditation being awarded to ensure they meet the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Code of Standards, which covers five key areas: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Facility inspections are conducted at all facilities housing Thoroughbreds for each organization. Ongoing updates and re-inspections are required of all organizations as a condition of accreditation.

“We are excited to announce the accreditation of 84 organizations this year. Their unwavering dedication to meeting the highest standards in Thoroughbred aftercare underscores their commitment to the retraining, retirement, and rehoming of these horses. This achievement reflects a collective effort to ensure a brighter future for Thoroughbreds after their racing careers,” said Janice Towles, Director of Accreditation and Grants, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

All organizations that hold Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation are eligible to receive financial grants to support the care of their Thoroughbreds. Grant applications are currently being reviewed and the total grant amount awarded by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be announced next month. Since 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has awarded $31.9 million to accredited organizations.

“We commend all the organizations that applied for accreditation this year. It is a rigorous process in which applicants undergo a series of reviews and inspections covering all aspects of their organization to demonstrate their adherence to the Code of Standards. All accredited applicants have shown adherence to non-profit operational standards and a remarkable commitment to excellence in Thoroughbred aftercare, reflecting their dedication to these horses and their futures,” said Stacie Clark Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation applications will open again in January of 2025.

For more resources about accreditation through Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit the links below:

• To learn more about accreditation: org/accreditation
• To learn more about the Code of Standards: org/code-of-standards
• For the 2024 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Reference Guide: org/2024-taa-reference-guide