The Jockey Club announces increased assistance for Thoroughbred retraining and retirement programs

Starting on January 1, 2013, The Jockey Club will increase fees by $25 for nearly all registry-related transactions, including foal registrations, and these funds will be provided to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

The TAA is an organization designed to serve as both the accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers and a fund-raising body to support these approved facilities.

The Jockey Club’s board of stewards made this decision based on its determination that the TAA’s mission and activities are consistent with The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred aftercare objectives.

In coordination with The Jockey Club of Canada, funds raised from Canadian customers of The Jockey Club will be directed to Canadian Thoroughbred aftercare organizations to supplement on-going aftercare activities for Canadian Thoroughbreds.

Additionally, The Jockey Club will contribute $300,000 in 2013 to the TAA from its commercial companies and will maintain the voluntary retirement checkoff option on foal registrations for owners and breeders to continue those Thoroughbred aftercare contributions.

In addition to the retirement checkoff program, The Jockey Club’s other retirement initiatives include Tattoo Identification Services, Thoroughbred Connect and the Thoroughbred Incentive Program.

The change from $200 to $225 to register foals of 2013 will be the first change since 2000 when the standard, or on-time, registration fee changed from $175 to $200. At that time, DNA typing replaced blood-typing and the entire breeding stock population was retested. Foals of 2012 registered within one-year from their actual foaling date will be grandfathered at the $200 level.

Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is composed of owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, jockeys, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. Additional information about TAA is available at thoroughbredaftercare.org.