TAA, CARMA team up to raise awareness for retired
Thoroughbreds at BC
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) is teaming up
with California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) at the Breeders’ Cup World
Championships at Santa Anita Park on November 1-2 to promote awareness of
Thoroughbred aftercare. The two aftercare organizations will be providing
wristbands for fans to wear to show their support for retired Thoroughbreds.
Breeders’ Cup attendees may pick up these aqua-colored
wristbands at the TAA and CARMA booth located by the fountain near the south
entrance to Santa Anita. They will be distributed free of charge with donations
welcomed. TAA and CARMA representatives will also be present to answer questions
and provide information on Thoroughbred aftercare and their organizations.
“With the best Thoroughbreds coming together to compete in
the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, we thought it would be the perfect
opportunity to highlight the importance of caring for these great athletes after
their racing careers are over,” explained Mike Ziegler, executive director of TAA.
“The wristbands are an easy and visible way for fans, horsemen and other
participants to show their support, and we hope that everyone attending will
wear them with pride.”
“An important part of CARMA’s mission is to promote
industry support and awareness for Thoroughbred aftercare, and these wristbands
are the perfect way to demonstrate that support,” agreed Lucinda Mandella,
executive director of CARMA. “Breeders’ Cup is the highlight of our year and the
perfect spot to pay tribute to the equine stars that have given their all on the
track, and now need our support in retirement.”
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, 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, jockeys, aftercare professionals and other industry
groups. To support the TAA, please visit
thoroughbredaftercare.org or call 859-224-2756.
CARMA, also a 501(c)(3) non-profit, raises money for retired
Thoroughbred racehorses who have raced in California and grants funds to CARMA-accredited aftercare partners. It is run by an independent board of
directors and is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners
and trainers on equine retirement and working to unify the industry in support
of retiring equine athletes.
It is a member of the TAA, which works toward a national solution to issues surrounding retired
racehorses. For more information and to support CARMA please visit
carma4horses.org or call 626-574-6622.
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