Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance awards 2014 grants

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will award $2.4 million in grants to its 42 accredited facilities for 2014 to assist with the management, rehabilitation, and adoption of former racehorses in their care.

The grant amount is a significant increase from the previous year, when 23 facilities received a combined $1 million in grants.

“It’s great for the TAA to support so many worthy organizations across North America with funding that goes directly to retired racehorses,” said TAA operations consultant Stacie Clark Rogers. “The TAA’s base of funding and support has grown tremendously in 2014, with more and more people and businesses pledging their support. With 2015 on the horizon, I am hopeful and confident that the new year will bring additional support from others throughout the Thoroughbred industry.”

To receive funding from the TAA, aftercare organizations must complete a rigorous accreditation process and on-site inspection, which includes a complete review in the areas of operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols.

Organizations must also have a current status as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and must house a minimum of five Thoroughbreds, or 50 percent of their herd, among other criteria.