June 21, 2017
For more information, contact:
Stacie Clark Rogers
859-224-2756
sclark@thoroughbredaftercare.org
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today an exciting collaboration with XBTV to present the XBTV Aftercare Film Festival. The Film Festival will launch July 1st as part of an ongoing industry effort to highlight the importance of horse aftercare as part of the ecosystem of Thoroughbred racing.
Themed “The Importance of Thoroughbred Aftercare and Accreditation to the Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Industries,” the Film Festival will be open exclusively to students taking part in the Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI), University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program (RTIP), or Godolphin Flying Start (GFS). Students are being challenged to create unique video content of no more than three minutes that will bring to life the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare for the next generation of horsemen and horsewomen.
Submissions will be reviewed and judged by a panel of media professionals. The submissions will be available to the public to watch at https://filmfreeway.com/festival/XBTV, XBTV and various social media channels at the conclusion of the Film Festival.
As a subsidiary of The Stronach Group, XBTV delivers superior racing and industry content to viewers around the world. As sponsor of the XBTV Aftercare Film Festival, XBTV aims to engage millennial audiences while raising awareness for the issue of thoroughbred aftercare.
“The Stronach Group is an industry leader in world-class racing and is passionately committed to horse care and horse aftercare,” said Nicole Stronach Walker, TAA Advisory Board Member. “All of those that are involved in the industry, be it breeder, owner or track operator, have a responsibility to the horse to ensure a lifetime of happiness on and off the track. The XBTV Aftercare Film Festival initiative is a great way for younger horse racing enthusiasts to raise awareness and lead the way for future growth in aftercare.”
“The Film Festival is an exciting initiative by the TAA and it was very generous of them to extend an invitation to participate to Godolphin Flying Start trainees” said Clodagh Kavanagh, General Manager of the Godolphin Flying Start program. “There are a number of trainees that have shown an interest in entering the competition and I wish them and the other competitors the best of luck with their submissions.”
“KEMI is thrilled to be part of this exciting contest,” said Leslie Janecka, KEMI’s coordinator. “As part of their curriculum within the program, our interns learn not only about the production, care and management of Thoroughbreds, but also the importance of a secondary career for those athletes after their racing careers are over. The aftercare of Thoroughbreds is very important, and we are happy to help educate the public about these horses and the many aftercare options available.”
The winners of the XBTV Aftercare Film Festival will be announced this December as part of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming, which has been held annually since 1974. Winners will receive a monetary award. 1st place will receive $3,000, 2nd place will receive $1,000 and 3rd place will be awarded $500. A Fan Favorite Award Winner will be awarded $500.
“Giving students, who are tomorrow’s leaders of racing, the opportunity to really dive into the topic will certainly increase their knowledge and passion about aftercare,” said Wendy Davis, the Director of the RTIP. “But just as important, their videos will provide a vehicle for the industry to use for education that can reach far beyond racing’s own circle and create the opportunity to exponentially expand awareness of the care given to our horses.”
“It’s a true honor to have the Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming selected as the venue to not only share the top videos but to name the winner. Attendees from around North America and the globe will be the first to see the productions and take the messages back to their home jurisdictions.”
Follow the work of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at thoroughbredaftercare.org, on Facebook here or @tbaftercare on Twitter and Instagram.
About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
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. Along with continued funding from its original partners 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.
About XBTV
XBTV is a new digital Ultra HD Horse Racing network providing insight and analysis to give horseplayers a competitive advantage. XBTV is the ultimate online destination for bettors to get insider interviews, morning works, insights, analysis and expert picks from the country’s top handicappers. XBTV features Millie Ball, Jeff Siegel, Aaron Vercruysse, Zoe Cadman and John ‘Johnny D’ DeSantis. XBTV is available free online at XBTV.com on any compatible computer, laptop, tablet, mobile device or smart TV. Viewers can watch video on demand as well as scheduled live racing coverage every weekend. XBTV is owned and operated by The Stronach Group and headquartered at historic Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.
About The Stronach Group
The Stronach Group (TSG) is an industry leader in world-class horse racing, entertainment and pari-mutuel wagering technology. Within our portfolio of racing and gaming businesses, the Company holds some of the greatest brands in the industry including; Santa Anita Park, “The Great Race Place”; Pimlico Race Course, home of the legendary Preakness Stakes; Gulfstream Park, one of Florida’s newest entertainment destination centers, and home to the $16-million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the world’s richest thoroughbred horse race; Laurel Park; Golden Gate Fields; Portland Meadows; and Rosecroft Raceway. TSG is an industry leader in pari-mutuel technology through its subsidiaries AmTote and Xpressbet and is a major distributor of horse racing content to a global audience through Monarch Content Management. The award winning Adena Springs is the breeding and training facility of The Stronach Group with stables in Kentucky, Florida and Ontario. For more on The Stronach Group, visit www.stronachgroup.com.
