Kentucky HBPA, Churchill Downs Contribute $55,000 to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Kentucky HPBA President Rick Hiles (left) and Churchill Downs Incorporated Executive Director of Racing Mike Ziegler present the donation to TAA representative Ashton Moynihan. (Photo by Coady Photography)

From Churchill Downs news release
Posted: 11/25/16

Churchill Downs Racetrack and its horsemen presented checks totaling $55,000 to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (“TAA”) between races on Friday at Churchill Downs.

Kentucky horsemen contributed $5 to the TAA for each of their horses that started in races at the Louisville racetrack for a total of $27,500, and Churchill Downs Racetrack matched each contribution.

The $55,000 donation, presented to TAA representative Ashton Moynihan by Kentucky HPBA President Rick Hiles and Churchill Downs Incorporated Executive Director of Racing Mike Ziegler, will directly benefit the TAA, a non-profit organization that serves as both an accrediting body for facilities that care for Thoroughbreds at the conclusion of their racing careers and a fundraising engine to support aftercare facilities approved by the alliance.

“The TAA does fabulous work to benefit the horse, and this collaborative fundraising effort with the KHBPA over the last two years has been extremely rewarding,” Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery said.

Participation in the ongoing partnership by Thoroughbred owners is voluntary. Owners who wish to opt-out of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance funding partnership can do so by contacting the Horseman’s Bookkeepers at the tracks.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, a Lexington, Ky.-based 501(c) (3) non-profit organization created in 2012, awarded more than $2.4 million in grants to 42 accredited agencies in 2014.

Based in Lexington, Ky., the TAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to serve as both an accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers, and a fundraising body to support these approved facilities. Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is comprised of and supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups.