“1/ST RACING & GAMING stands behind the efforts of the TAA and we are proud to make continued contributions to ensure our thoroughbred athletes receive the best care following their racing careers,” said Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST Racing & Gaming.

Added TAA Operations Consultant, Stacie Clark, “We are proud of our long history and partnership with 1/ST Racing. 1/ST continues to provide the TAA with a foundation of support through which we can promote the great and vital work done by our accredited organizations. We were thrilled to join our partners here once again at Gulfstream Park to enjoy a fantastic day of racing and to support our industry's deserving horses and the accredited organizations they call home.”

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Sue Finley: How has the perception of aftercare changed over the 10 years in which you've been involved with the TAA?

Stacie Clark: When you take that greater picture of the evolution of aftercare and you look at what has been accomplished in 10 years, it has been extraordinary. Can we do better? Absolutely. But for 20 years it was very, very slow. A lot of good people started a lot of good things and had a lot of good intentions to get things done. But it wasn't like it grew as horse racing grew.

We have all evolved as far as training, selling, breeding, and things that probably didn't exist in the 1800s, like pinhooking. Aftercare is only 20 years old at the strongest part of it. And, I'd say the last 10 years, the TAA has provided a networking opportunity for all of our organizations across the continent and across the world. At the end of the day, could it be better? It could always be better, and it could always be stronger and more part of the cloth of the cycle of the horse. But we've definitely come a long way in 10 years. And, I think the people that started the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the people that started the aftercare movement 20, 30 years ago, should be proud of where we've gotten to.

SF: And, so when you say it's changed dramatically, what do you think is the most dramatic change or mental shift that people have had?

SC: I think awareness. I think awareness is key. I grew up at the racetrack, and I lived a very naive existence. I think a lot of people that have been in the industry long enough will reflect back to the time where you didn't think about where the horses went or what could happen. I don't know that we can say it's anything more than just awareness, social media, the growth of the reuse of the thoroughbred for other things. I think getting some medications out of racing has changed the horse you have to retrain.

SF: Do you have any sense of how many more horses are being retired, or how much more money is being raised? Does anyone keep track of that sort of thing?

SC: We only keep track of the horses that go through Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and then sometimes we will compare notes with how many horses are registered for the Retired Racehorse Project or how many horses Kristin (Werner_ has in the Thoroughbred Incentive Program. Those are the only three inventory databases that we can compare. But, I don't know. There's crossover. I think we're doing better than we ever were, but I don't know what the numbers are, just like they don't know what the numbers are of horses going across the border for slaughter. It's too evasive. There are no controls. Do we know if the horses are being counted as thoroughbreds or they're just guessing that they're thoroughbreds? Until we have a stronger inventory in this industry from birth to death like they're trying to do in Australia, or we even have it from birth to racetrack exit. That would be a goal. The van driver knows where they're going.

But I think the biggest detriment is the industry not reflecting more on `what more I can do?' Now the industry has a lot going on, but I think it's important to recognize that the aftercare groups can only do what they can do for what they have to do it with. And a lot of the problems that we have are at the lower level of racing, which reflects the image of racing to our public.

“I think 80 percent of the horses are okay. But 20 percent of them are desperately not okay.”

SF:  The problem often is that so many of those horses end up with the person who is least likely to be able to take care of them economically.

SC: Right. All of the people I know care about animals. I'm with them all the time. But what happens is that horse doesn't always stay around that familiar scenario where he's going to be taken care of. Sometimes people just can't afford to take care of their horses, and that's a real thing. And, then somebody's going to let a horse get on a van, because they can get $200 for the horse. I think 80 percent of the horses are okay. But 20 percent of them are desperately not okay.

SF: You have spent your life doing this. Do you feel good about it now? Can you ever feel good about it? Is there going to be a time when you say we've solved this problem?

SC: For me, aftercare is very real, and the horse is very real. And I know the people in the industry care. I don't know how to make it the sexiest part of the industry. We love what we love about the sport, but asking someone how they feel about aftercare? It's almost like people are offended. There's an offense taken by asking the question. But if we're talking about aftercare, then we should be more open-minded.

But you don't want to have to deal with aftercare, and we have a good program that can help with that. Because then, there is no noise. You don't hear a lot of noise about problems in aftercare right now. No one knows if we have any issues. No one knows that I have to call up some of our organizations and go, “Can you pull that post down, because that does not speak well of the industry? And, I don't care how mad you are. It's in your contract.” You can't say that publicly without hurting the whole pyramid. Right?

SF: I guess my last question is, `where do go from here?'

SC: Look, I think being part of big events like the Breeders' Cup and Pegasus and the Preakness, those are huge things for aftercare awareness. On that day, that really shows the public that aftercare matters, and that the TAA being that umbrella can highlight and network all of these groups. Going forward, I think we have to continue to work together as an industry. Somebody said to me one time, “You guys are doing great work.” And, I said, “Wait a second. I'm just the Uber driver. This is your initiative.” The industry has to own it or it will not work.

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Clark has been with the TAA since its inception in 2012 and assumed the role of operations consultant in 2014. Previously, she created the first in-house retirement program while serving as Thoroughbred Retirement Program manager at Adena Springs.

Clark rode as a jockey in Ontario and was nominated for the 1994 Sovereign Award as Outstanding Apprentice in Canada. When Woodbine Racetrack expanded its television department in 1999, she crossed over to associate producer and racing television commentator.

Clark will provide her perspective on the evolution of aftercare from the early 2000s to today, highlight the progress made by the industry, and discuss future challenges.

“Thoroughbred aftercare has moved to the forefront of industry priorities in the last 20 years or so, and Stacie has been one of the great influencers in moving the needle in this area, including participating in previous Thoroughbred Owner Conferences,” said Gary Falter, project manager for OwnerView. “In both our in-person and virtual conferences, OwnerView has emphasized the importance of aftercare as part of a stable's business plan, and we are excited to have Stacie joining us as our keynote to talk about this important topic.”

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“Many consider the Whitney S. as the marque race for older horses at Saratoga,” said TAA President Jimmy Bell. “What better stage for the TAA to be present and share in the excitement of the day and the commitment to Thoroughbred aftercare.”

On Sunday, horses will don NYRA-donated TAA saddle towels for a race named in honor of the TAA. In the winner's circle after the race, the TAA will present awards to the best turned-out horse and to the winning groom and connections.

“Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Weekend is a golden opportunity to share the kind of productive careers that Thoroughbreds can enjoy after they leave the track,” said Stacie Clark-Rogers of the TAA. “In many cases, these are talented and highly trainable horses who demonstrate an ability to flourish in new careers like show jumping and dressage. Training and owning these horses can be also an important and rewarding experience.”

The TAA is the nonprofit organization that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. The New York Thoroughbred industry donates more than $1.28 million toward racehorse retirement annually.

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The webinar, “Global Insights on Aftercare (Aftercare Providers, Equine Charities),” was moderated by Donna Brothers, who is part of the horse racing coverage team for NBC Sports in the United States. The list of speakers consisted of Stacie Clark, operations consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (U.S.); Lisa Coffey, founder and director, Racing Hearts (AUS); John Osborne, director of Equine Welfare and Bloodstock, Horse Racing Ireland; Dr. Ignacio Pavlovsky, veterinarian, owner, and breeder (ARG); and Kristin Werner, senior counsel, The Jockey Club, and administrator, Thoroughbred Incentive Program (U.S.).

Clark and Werner described the path from the racetrack to placement into accredited aftercare programs. They emphasized the importance of these organizations' promoting themselves and communicating to the Thoroughbred industry that they exist so that horse owners are aware of the retirement options for their former racehorses.

“The biggest disconnect that we have is that people don't know what's out there,” Clark said.

According to Werner, “Part of any aftercare program should be the permanent retirement of the horse's racing eligibility. This is accomplished through The Jockey Club's Transferred as Retired from Racing process. This ensures a horse will no longer be eligible to race, while maintaining eligibility for breeding and second careers.”

Coffey's Racing Hearts retrains off-the-track Thoroughbreds for use in equine-assisted therapy and other careers. It is the first charity of its kind in Australia and currently has a waiting list of about 50 clients. Coffey stated that Thoroughbreds are especially suited to therapy due to their willingness to please.

“Horses and other animals offer a genuinely non-judgmental relationship. They have no other agenda other than actually wanting to be with us,” she said.

Osborne indicated that aftercare has become a priority for the Irish Thoroughbred industry relatively recently, as perspectives have shifted from viewing horses as commodities to viewing them as individual, sentient beings. Last year, Treo Eile was founded in Ireland to assist racehorse trainers and owners who wish to rehome and retrain horses once their racetrack careers are complete.

“Ultimately, our catchphrase is that ownership comes with the responsibility to the animal, not just on the glory days but in the dog days, too, where things are not so promising, where the dreams are behind those horses, but the responsibility still remains to look after that horse properly and do what's best for that horse at all times,” Osborne said.

In Argentina, Pavlovsky indicated that Thoroughbreds are in high demand due to their versatility to be retrained in disciplines such as polo, jumping, and pulling carriages. Compared to other jurisdictions, it is much easier to place racehorses in homes following their retirement from racing.

“Today, the welfare of horses is something that we have to be extremely dedicated to and think about,” Pavlovsky said. “Horses are more than our business. They are our way of living.”

The 2021 IFAR Conference concludes 27 April with a final panel, “Aftercare for Racing Industry Participants: Owners, Breeders, and Trainers.” It will begin at 12 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. in the U.K.) and be moderated by Francesca Cumani, horse racing presenter in the U.K. and Australia. Speaking will be Mark Fisher, Kotare Bioethics Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand; Dr. Eliot Forbes, chief executive officer, AniMark Ltd. (AUS), and member, IFAR Steering Committee; Tom Reilly, chief executive officer, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse; and Dr. Christopher Riggs, director, Equine Welfare Research Foundation, and chief advisor, Veterinary Science, The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The full schedule of webinars, including speakers, moderators, presentation topics, bios, and the link to register can be found here. All sessions are free, but registration is required. Those who attend each session live will be able to ask questions to presenters. A recording of the first three sessions is available here.

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Participants will choose from three groups (walk, trot, canter) when registering. All participants will have a chance to have their pictures taken in the winner's circle by Gulfstream Park. All riders must wear helmets, proper boots or shoes, and face coverings. All horses must have a valid and current Coggins to show at registration. Temperature checks will be taken upon entrance.

Entries close Monday, March 8, 2021 at 5 p.m. There is no day of registration.

Registration is $50. All proceeds from the event will go to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding.

Canter for the Cause is sponsored by Gulfstream Park and the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Participants will need to register by 10 a.m. the day of Canter for the Cause. The first group will go out at 11 a.m.

“This was such a well-received event last year for all the participants and volunteers that we wanted to hold it again within state and local health protocols, as well as our own,” said Mike Lakow, Vice President of Racing at Gulfstream. “Canter for the Cause is a great way to raise awareness for Thoroughbred aftercare. We know this year's event will be a memorable one.”

“The TAA is thrilled to once again be the beneficiary at Gulfstream Park's Canter for the Cause,” Stacie Clark, Operations Consultant for the TAA. “The inaugural 2019 event was a resounding success and was sorely missed in 2020. The TAA is grateful for Gulfstream Park's dedication to accredited Thoroughbred aftercare and looks forward to a fun day on the track.”

To register and pay by credit card, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/canter-for-the-cause-tickets-140415286903

For more information go to: https://gulfstreampark.com/events-and-entertainment/event-calendar/details/2021/03/15/default-calendar/canter-for-the-cause or call Nikki Bernstein at 954.817.1441.

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The 2021 application for accreditation by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is now available on OpenWater and can be accessed through ThoroughbredAftercare.org/Accreditation.

Thoroughbred aftercare nonprofits interested in applying must complete the application by Apr. 1 at 6 p.m. ET. Since TAA accreditation is only granted for a specific period of time, organizations with accreditation status ending in 2021 that want to remain accredited need to re-apply.

Accreditation status is determined after a complete review of five areas of an aftercare organization: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Organizations passing the application review will be subject to site inspections of all facilities housing Thoroughbreds.

Organizations that receive accreditation are eligible to receive financial grants from the TAA, but prior grants awarded are no indication of potential future awards. In 2020 the TAA awarded $3.5 million to accredited organizations as grants earmarked specifically for equine care, totaling more than $20.7 million awarded since 2012.

For more information on the TAA accreditation process, please visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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Offering three sessions of panel discussions, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit is geared towards individuals and organizations with a professional interest in the retraining and rehoming of Thoroughbreds after racing. The Summit is a free event but pre-registration is required; sessions will be accessible via Zoom.

”When the decision was made to postpone this year's Thoroughbred Makeover, we wanted to ensure that we still supported our aftercare partners in any way that we could,” said Jen Roytz, executive director of the RRP. “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit not only covers topics pertinent to those working in Thoroughbred aftercare, but also provides a unique networking opportunity for participants.”

The Summit will offer the following three sessions:

• Do More, Spend Less: Monday, October 5 at 7:00 PM ET. Sponsored by Godolphin Lifetime Care and moderated by Stephanie Church of The Horse Media Group (also streamed on Facebook as part of the RRP's Virtual Makeover Webinar Series)
• Fundraising in Challenging Times: Tuesday, October 6 at 2:00 PM ET
• Accounting 101: Tips for Preparing Financials for Grant Requests: Tuesday, October 6 at 3:30 PM ET

This year's panel discussions reflect some of the unique challenges facing aftercare organizations as well as for-profit resellers during the global COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of helping Summit attendees create innovative solutions for everything from fundraising to herd management. Learn more about topics and panelists at the Thoroughbred Makeover website.

“In this especially challenging year, we wanted the focus of the Aftercare Summit to be on fundraising strategies for aftercare organizations,” said Erin Crady, executive director of TCA. “With the cancellation of live events, many organizations have had to revise their fundraising plans to place a larger emphasis on digital fundraising and grant writing.”

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit was first held in 2019 at the Kentucky Horse Park the day before the start of the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The Thoroughbred Makeover is already the largest gathering of individuals and organizations dedicated to the rehoming and retraining of off-track Thoroughbreds, making it the logical setting for this educational and networking opportunity. The 2020 Summit takes place as part of the RRP's Virtual Makeover Week, which includes other educational opportunities for Thoroughbred lovers.

“In these strange and difficult times, networking and sharing best practices is so important for all of us,” said Stacie Clark, TAA operations consultant. “The TAA is happy to be part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit alongside the RRP and the TCA.”

Pre-register now for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit here.

Read more here.

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