The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today that Tampa Bay Downs has joined the TAA community. The track, located in Tampa, Fla., has signed on to provide a per start matching donation to the TAA beginning with its current 2015-2016 race meet.
Horse owners have the opportunity to contribute $5 per start to the TAA through their Horseman’s Bookkeeper Account for each horse that starts in a race at Tampa Bay Downs. The track will then match the contributions made by owners.
“We are delighted to join the growing number of racetracks that share the TAA’s mission to treat Thoroughbred athletes with the respect and compassion they deserve after their racing careers end,” stated Peter Berube, Tampa Bay Downs vice president and general manager. “Tampa Bay Downs is dedicated to providing each horse a safe retirement home and the opportunity to transition to a new career after they leave the track.”
“Tampa Bay Downs has demonstrated their deep commitment to Thoroughbred aftercare through this great initiative and should be highly commended for doing so,” said Jimmy Bell, TAA and Darley America president. “We are very grateful to the owners who will be making the $5-per-start donation and to Tampa Bay Downs for matching those donations. We hope more horsemen and racetracks throughout the country will continue to follow the example set by Tampa Bay Downs along with Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Keeneland, and Turfway Park who signed on earlier this year.”
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, 56 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.
