board of directors

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Elects New Officers and Directors

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Hamburger Toggle Menu Previous Post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Elects New Officers and Directors Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Elects New Officers and Directors FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 18, 2024 News Tags:accredited aftercare, board memebers, board of directors, TAA board of directors, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance LEXINGTON, KY — Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance elected new officers and five new directors at its meeting on December 16. Beginning January 1, 2025, Walter S. Robertson, Jr. will assume the role as President of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Robertson, a member of the law firm Stites & Harbison, PLLC, has been involved with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance since 2018. Robertson’s legal practice focuses on equine law, commercial finance, corporate finance and securities, corporate general services, and mergers and acquisitions. In addition to his legal career, he has experience in multiple breeds of the equine industry and previously worked as a bloodstock agent. “I am honored the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Board of Directors has entrusted me to step into the role of President and lead this organization,” said Robertson, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance President-Elect. “It is a privilege to work alongside so many passionate individuals who are committed to ensuring a bright future for Thoroughbreds after their racing careers through accredited aftercare, and I endeavor to build upon the incredible work of those who have come before me.” Robertson succeeds Jeffrey Bloom, managing partner of Bloom Racing Stable, who served as president of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance from 2022 through 2024 and will remain on the Executive Committee as immediate past president. “It has been an honor to serve as President of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance these past 3 years, where I have been fortunate to work alongside so many dedicated and passionate individuals. Through the collective commitment of the team, meaningful results will have crucial and long-lasting impact for Thoroughbred aftercare,” said Jeffrey Bloom. “As I pass this seat to Walt Robertson, I am confident this organization will thrive under his leadership. He has the vision, wisdom, and values to perfectly guide this board to a brighter future and even greater achievements moving forward.” Melissa Hicks of Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC, and Madeline Auerbach, founder and former Chairperson of CARMA, will remain in their roles as Treasurer and Vice President, respectively. Mark Simendinger, former Development Manager and General Manager of Kentucky Speedway and former President of Turfway Park, has been elected to serve as Secretary for 2025. Newly elected to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Board of Directors are Tony Allevato, NYRA, Donna Brothers, NBC and StarLadies Racing, Craig Bandoroff, Denali Stud, Boyd Browning, Fasig Tipton, and Larry Connolly, racehorse owner. Brothers, Bandoroff, and Browning are returning to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for a second term after each previously served on the Board. Tony Allevato is the Chief Revenue Officer for the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and President of NYRA Bets, NYRA’s Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) Platform. In addition to his responsibilities over revenue-generation, Allevato oversees NYRA’s vast broadcast and simulcast television productions. Since joining NYRA in 2016, Allevato has managed the expansion of NYRA Bets into a national brand available in 30 states while growing horse racing’s presence on national television through a successful partnership with FOX Sports. As a result, the FOX Sports family of networks now presents more than 1000 hours of premium live racing content annually. Prior to NYRA, Allevato held leadership roles at the NFL Network and TVG. Larry Connolly has spent most of his professional career as the CEO of Connolly LLC. Connolly LLC worked with large healthcare payers and retailers to identify and recover client overpayments to their providers/suppliers. Since assuming his CEO responsibilities in 1991, the firm expanded rapidly by entering new markets domestically and internationally while introducing new lines of business and differentiated analytics to become the largest audit recovery firm. Connolly, LLC was sold to Advent International in 2012. The company has since been rebranded as Cotiviti, a publicly traded company where Larry served on the board until 2017. Connolly has been involved in horse racing since 2014. He is a member of both Donegal Racing and Starlight Racing syndicates. In 2019, he co-founded West Paces Racing in Atlanta with Keith Mason. Their stable includes Dornoch, winner of the 2024 Belmont Stakes. The recently appointed directors will join the current board, which is comprised of Madeline Auerbach, Laura Barillaro, Price Bell, Dr. Jeffrey Berk, Christina Blacker, Aidan Butler, Tom Cannell, Dr. Bonnie Comerford, Jack Damico, Joe De Francis, Georganne Hale, Melissa Hicks, Jay Privman, Walt Robertson, Dean Roethemeier, Yvonne Schwabe, Mark Simendinger, Barbara Vanlangendonck, and Ric Waldman. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance wishes to thank Jeffrey Bloom, John Keitt, Josh Rubinstein, and Richard Schosberg, whose terms have expired, for their service on the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Board of Directors. Photo Credit: Madeline Tebrugge 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 its inception in 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $36.04 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently, 83 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 175 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org. Contact Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance859-224-2756info@thoroughbredaftercare.org OperationsStacie Clark-Rogers859-230-5881sclark@thoroughbredaftercare.org Media ContactSamantha Smith Share This Release

TAA Elects Jeffrey Bloom as President, New Board Members

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) Board of Directors elected Jeffrey Bloom as president for the 2022 term and elected new board members at its meeting Jan. 28. Bloom, managing partner of Bloom Racing Stable, has served as a TAA board member since 2019. A Thoroughbred industry veteran of 40 years, he was a professional jockey in addition to serving as a racing manager, bloodstock agent, marketing and media relations consultant, and broadcaster. Following his riding career, he earned a B.S. degree in Financial Services from San Diego State University and his business resume includes a successful venture in corporate business development in the software technology industry. He has selected and managed the careers of numerous stakes winners including the 2019 Eclipse award champion and multiple G1 winner Midnight Bisou. He is extremely passionate about racehorses and their overall welfare both on and off the racetrack. In addition to his involvement with the TAA, he also serves on the board of TOBA. “As a 37-year veteran of the Thoroughbred industry, horse welfare has always been an important part of the business for myself and Bloom Racing,” said Bloom. “Through serving on the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance board, I have come to realize how important this organization needs to be for all of us who are fortunate enough to work in such a dynamic sport. As incoming president of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, I look forward to assisting the board, the accredited organizations, and the industry at large with the ongoing plan that serves us all well.” James G. Bell, president and racing manager of Godolphin, served as TAA president in 2014 and 2021. Bell will remain on the TAA’s board and executive committee for 2022 as immediate past president. “Our board members stepped up to the plate in 2021,” said Bell. “Much of our success can be attributed to board members actively engaging other industry participants in discussion about aftercare solutions. Our new members all bring that same dedication and Jeff has been very instrumental throughout his time on the board. With his leadership and energy, many new goals will be reached for the TAA.” Bloom and Bell are joined on the executive committee by TAA Vice President Craig Bandoroff, owner of Denali Stud; TAA Treasurer Melissa Hicks, director of tax services at Dean Dorton; TAA Secretary Walter Robertson, attorney at Stites & Harbison; Madeline Auerbach, founding board member of the TAA, founder of the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), and a Thoroughbred owner and breeder; Terry Finley, founder and chief executive officer of West Point Thoroughbreds, board member of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, and Belmont Child Care Association; and Aidan Butler, chief operating officer of 1/ST Racing and president of 1/ST Content. The TAA rotates its board of directors and its executive officers. The board members beginning service in 2022 are: Laura Barillaro, executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Jockey Club; Dr. Jeffrey Berk VMD, Equine Medical Associates; Aidan Butler, chief operating officer of 1/ST Racing and president of 1/ST Content; Mark Casse, Hall of Fame trainer; John A. ‘Jack’ Damico, founding partner of Matson, Driscoll & Damico LLC, manager of The Posse Racing Stable and East Coast Partners; Terry Finley, founder and chief executive officer of West Point Thoroughbreds, board member of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, and Belmont Child Care Association; Melissa Hicks, tax director of Dean Dorton. They join current TAA board members: Jimmy Bell, Jeff Bloom, Walt Robertson, Jr., Madeline Auerbach, Craig Bandoroff, Simon Bray, Donna Brothers, Boyd Browning, Tom Cannell, Brian Graves, Susie Hart, John Keitt, Chip McGaughey, Josh Rubenstein, Richard Schosberg, Tom Ventura, and Nicole Walker. Click here to see the full list of the TAA’s board of directors.