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TAA Accreditation Application for 2022 Now Available

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) accreditation application for 2022 is now available. Thoroughbred aftercare non-profits, including those accredited for 2021 that want to remain accredited, must complete the application by Apr. 1 to seek accreditation for the coming year.

Accreditation status with TAA 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 will be subject to site inspections of all facilities housing Thoroughbreds.

Organizations that receive accreditation are eligible for financial grants from the TAA, which awarded $3.7 million to accredited organizations in 2021 and has awarded more than $24.5 million since 2012.

Visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org/Accreditation for the application.

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Grayson-Jockey Club Calls for Research into EHV Vaccine

Edited press release

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has issued a formal call for research applications focused on the development of a nucleic acid-based vaccine against equine herpes virus (EHV). Dr. John Ballantyne and Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation have committed $2 million to fund this research.

“We are so grateful to Dr. Ballantyne for his generosity in supporting efforts to address EHV, a disease that affects all horses,” said Dell Hancock, chair of the foundation. “This gift will enable Grayson to continue its commitment to funding critical research for horses, and our research advisory committee looks forward to seeing what proposals are submitted.”

“As a horse owner with a biotechnology background, I recognize the danger of EHV and see the potential for nucleic acid-based vaccines for combating this disease,” said Dr. Ballantyne. “I am proud to work with Grayson to support EHV research.”

Grayson is interested in research proposals focused on EHV-1, EHV-3, and EHV-4, with a multivalent or pan-valent approach. Researchers must have the ability to conduct an in vivo proof of principle of efficacy in the equine model in-house or through collaboration. Applications from established equine investigators collaborating with experts from other fields (e.g., human vaccinologists) are strongly encouraged. It is anticipated that this research will span three to four years and possibly multiple projects.

Grant applications are due October 1, 2022, and can be submitted at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $30.6 million to fund 397 projects at 45 universities in North America and overseas.

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New Vocations Adds Florida Facility

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program has opened a satellite facility at Trillium Sport Horses near Ocala, Florida. Erin MacDonald, an international three-day eventing rider, will oversee the facility's focus on rehabbing, retraining, and rehoming retiring Thoroughbred racehorses.

“On average, 60 horses each year are shipped more than 700 miles from Florida to our Lexington facility,” said Anna Ford, the program director for New Vocations. “Horses coming from Florida racetracks and training centers will now have a much shorter travel distance and duration as they start their next chapters.”

New Vocations, the nation's oldest and largest racehorse adoption charity, now has nine facilities in six states. Ford said a Florida location near Ocala had been in the plan for some time, but was delayed by the pandemic.

According to New Vocations, MacDonald has years of experience restarting off-track Thoroughbreds. She said, “It is so gratifying to help a Thoroughbred smoothly transition into a second career after the races. I am honored to be working with such an outstanding aftercare organization and to join in their efforts to provide Florida-based horses and their connections with a quality rehabilitation and retraining program.”

The first horses arrived at the Florida facility in late 2021. Three have already been adopted with several more making progress in various stages of rehab and training. For information on donating a horse to the Florida facility or supporting its efforts, click here, call (859) 252-9574, or e-mail anna@horseadoption.com.

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Happy Medium, Venti Valentine Work Toward Next Starts

Jay Em Ess Stable's Happy Medium (Runhappy) posted his first breeze since his 'TDN Rising Star' performance Dec. 18, which was his third consecutive daylight win. The freshly minted 4-year-old was out for a half-mile work Sunday over the Belmont training track, getting the four furlongs in an easy :51.22.

“He worked well this morning,” said trainer Michelle Nevin. “It was just an easy breeze, which was what I wanted.”

A $300,000 Keeneland September yearling, Happy Medium had debuted with a third at Aqueduct last March before heading to the sidelines for six months, then reappeared to scorch a six-furlong maiden special weight at Belmont Sept. 30 by 9 1/4 lengths. An allowance in the slop at the Big A Nov. 13 resulted in a five-length score and the bay continued his tour de force Dec. 18, again at Aqueduct but this time over a fast track, by seven lengths. In addition to earning 'Rising Star' status, he also earned a 104 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

Nevin said no specific plans have been made for the gelding's next start.

Also working–albeit in Florida–toward her next start was another New York star from this past fall in SW & GSP Venti Valentine (Firing Line). Campaigned by NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds, the now 3-year-old worked a half-mile in :50.80 Saturday at Palm Meadows Training Center.

“She's doing really good and that was a great run from her last time,” said Edgar Estevez, assistant to trainer Jorge Abreu. “Jorge is very pleased with the way she came out of the race and he decided to give her a little bit of a rest and start her back up down at Palm Meadows. She's taking it easy right now.”

After breaking her maiden on debut Sept. 26 going six panels at Belmont, Venti Valentine captured the Maid of the Mist S. at a mile Oct. 30 and was second by a neck in the GII Demoiselle S. Dec. 4 at Aqueduct at nine furlongs. In the Demoiselle, she earned four qualifying points toward the GI Kentucky Oaks, to be held May 6. Estevez indicated her next start on the path to the Oaks is yet to be determined.

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