Colonial Downs and the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association have each pledged $15 per start at the upcoming Colonial Downs meet to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Colonial Downs has 15 live racing days in 2019, opening Aug. 8 and closing Sept. 7.
“Colonial Downs Group is delighted to add life to Thoroughbred aftercare. The horse allows us to practice our labor of love and reminds us Virginians that ‘Racing is for Lovers,'” said John Marshall, senior vice president and general manager of Colonial Downs.
“We at the Virginia HBPA know the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare and the role that TAA plays in our industry. We are proud to support our horses through the work of the TAA and its accredited aftercare organizations,” said Frank Petramalo, executive director of the Virginia HBPA.
In addition to the per start contribution, Colonial Downs has also made the AmTote Charity Terminal 2.0 in use at its self-service AmTote betting terminals for horseplayers to make a donation to the TAA off a winning ticket.
“The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is grateful for Colonial Downs and the Virginia HBPA for supporting our equine athletes,” TAA president Mike Meuser said. “These funds will help the TAA support our 70 accredited organizations that retrain, rehome, and retire thousands of Thoroughbreds.”
Since 2012, the TAA has granted out more than $13.8 million to accredited organizations in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Click here to view the full list of TAA’s supporters.
Click here to view a list of the 70 TAA-accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations.
Photo: Suzie Picou-Oldham
