“Congratulations to the 42 organizations who earned their Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation. Earning TAA accreditation is a true testament to an organization’s dedication to providing the best care possible for our Thoroughbreds,” said TAA President, Jeffrey Bloom.

“TAA-accreditation proves to the racing industry that its Thoroughbreds are going to the best possible aftercare organizations in North America, and although this stamp of approval is reassuring, funding is still a concern to assist these groups and the thousands of retired racehorses in their care. We encourage everyone to support the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and its 81 accredited charities.”

The 42 organizations earning accreditation this year are: After the Races, Bright Futures Farm, Inc., CANTER Kentucky, CANTER Michigan, Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, Center for Racehorse Retraining, Central Kentucky Riding For Hope, Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Down The Stretch Ranch, Equestrian Inc., Equine Advocates Inc., Equine Rescue & Adoption Foundation, Final Furlong, Inc., Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, Friends of Ferdinand, Inc., Galloping Out, Harmony and Hope Horse Haven, Inc., Healing Arenas, Inc., Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds, Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, Illinois Equine Humane Center, Lollypop Farm, Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, Inc., NEER North, Our Mims Retirement Haven, Inc., Out Side In, Inc., R.A.C.E. Fund, Inc., Remember Me Rescue, RVR Horse Rescue, Sandia Creek Ranch Auxiliary Foundation, Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement, Inc., Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Inc., Second Stride, Inc, Square Peg Foundation, The Foxie G Foundation, The Susan S. Donaldson Foundation, This Old Horse, Inc., Thoroughbred Athletes, Inc., Tranquility Farm – The Harry A. Biszantz Memorial Center for Thoroughbred Retirement, TRRAC Thoroughbred Retirement, Rehabilitation, and Careers, War Horses at Rose Bower.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organizations undergo a thorough application and inspection process prior to accreditation being awarded to ensure they meet the TAA Code of Standards, which covers five key areas: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Facility inspections are conducted at all facilities housing Thoroughbreds for each organization. Ongoing updates and re-inspections are required of all organizations as a condition of accreditation.

“As the TAA’s tenth year of service comes to a close, we are grateful for the 81 accredited organizations who will move with us into the new year to continue the TAA’s mission to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds once their involvement in the racing industry comes to a close,” said TAA Accreditation and Grants Manager, Janice Towles.

“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to those that contributed to the TAA’s accreditation process: the TAA Accreditation Committee which met weekly for the last six months, TAA Accreditation Committee Chair Kristin Werner, TAA Inspection Coordinator Suzie Picou-Oldham, and the dozens of individuals across North America who perform facility inspections, many of whom give their time and resources to the TAA for free.”

All organizations that hold Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation are eligible to receive financial grants to support the care of their Thoroughbreds. Grant applications are currently being reviewed and the total grant amount awarded by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be announced this month. Since 2012, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has awarded $24.5 million to accredited organizations.

The full list of 81 organizations, information about the accreditation process, and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s Code of Standards can be found on ThoroughbredAftercare.org.