Stallion farms pledge support for Thoroughbred aftercare

Twenty prominent commercial breeding farms have signed on to support the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) by donating a portion of stud fees to support Thoroughbred aftercare in 2015.

Participating farms, which have agreed to donate 25 percent or more of the advertised fee for each stallion on their roster, include Adena Springs, Airdrie Stud, Castleton Lyons, Claiborne Farm, Darby Dan, Darley America, Gainesway Farm, Hill ‘n’ Dale, Lane’s End, Millennium Farms, Ocala Stud, Pin Oak Stud, Ramsey Farm, Sequel Stallions, Shadwell Farm, Taylor Made Stallions, Three Chimneys Farm, the Unusual Heat Syndicate, Walmac Farm, and WinStar Farm.

“Caring for our horses following the end of their racing careers should be a priority to all participants in the Thoroughbred industry,” said Antony Beck of Gainesway Farm. “The TAA helps to join everyone together in this endeavor to support a common cause.”

Beck’s Gainesway Farm stands reigning leading sire Tapit, who will have the highest advertised stud fee in the U.S. for 2015, at $300,000.

The TAA, based out of Lexington, Ky., is a non-profit organization designed to serve as both an accrediting body for Thoroughbred aftercare facilities, 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. In 2013, TAA awarded $1,000,000 to 23 accredited organizations and gave out an additional $2,400,000 to 42 accredited organizations in 2014.

“As the president of the TAA, I want to thank my colleagues for showing their support for and commitment to aftercare through these stallion pledges,” said Jimmy Bell, president of both Darley America and the TAA. “While still in our early days, these stud farms have been instrumental in establishing a financial vehicle to further the TAA’s mission.”