Tampa Bay Downs to match owners' donations to TAA

Tampa Bay Downs has signed on to provide a per-start matching donation to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance beginning with its current 2015-16 race meet. Horse owners will have the opportunity to contribute $5 per start to the TAA for each horse who starts in a race at Tampa Bay Downs. The track will match all contributions made by owners.

“We are delighted to join the growing number of racetracks that share the TAA’s mission to treat Thoroughbred athletes with the respect and compassion they deserve after their racing careers end,” said Peter Berube, Tampa Bay Downs vice president and general manager. “Tampa Bay Downs is dedicated to providing each horse a safe retirement home and the opportunity to transition to a new career after they leave the track.”

“Tampa Bay Downs has demonstrated their deep commitment to Thoroughbred aftercare through this great initiative and should be highly commended for doing so,” said Jimmy Bell, TAA and Darley America president.

The nonprofit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, based in Lexington, Ky., accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. The TAA has accredited 56 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada.