Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton to Revise Funding Procedures for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Keeneland Association and Fasig-Tipton Company today announced revised procedures to provide funding to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). Beginning with the 2020 yearling sales, all sellers/owners will be charged .05 percent of the sales price (for example, $50 on a $100,000 sale) on each horse sold at public auction with the two companies. Previously, sellers have had the opportunity to “opt out” of contributing to the TAA. The sales companies each will continue to contribute .05 percent of the sales price on each horse sold at their respective auctions. Buyers will continue to be billed .05 percent of the purchase price on behalf of the TAA, with participation voluntary.

“Since inception, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has provided in excess of $17 million toward the post-racing care and retraining for Thoroughbreds across North America, and we are proud to have played a role in the organization’s founding and continued financial support,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “Our customers, breeders, owners and sellers understand that we all have an obligation to care for these tremendous animals from birth through retirement.”

“The TAA has done an outstanding job of providing accreditation and funding to organizations dedicated to retire, retrain and rehome racehorses,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said. “All industry participants have a shared responsibility for the animals that are the foundation of our sport, and these newest procedures ensure consistent and reliable funding for an industry initiative that is of the utmost importance.”

TAA President John Phillips added: “Industry participants must understand that aftercare is not an option. Aftercare is our inarguable responsibility to the horse and our obligation to the sport. The TAA dutifully seeks to spread this responsibility to every sector in every region, and we deeply appreciate Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton for embracing the new reality of social expectations. This response by leaders such as Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland helps assure the survival of our sport and the equine athletes to whom we owe so much. If you love our equine athletes and our sport, then you must receive this news with enthusiasm.”