On Saturday, January 28, 1/ST paid special tribute to a more than decade long partnership with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) following the running of the TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf presented by Pepsi. For the second consecutive year, the race was named in honor of the TAA, and in a presentation following the race, TAA representatives accepted a check for $50,000 from 1/ST.
The TAA accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Since 2012, the TAA has granted more than $28.1 million to accredited aftercare organizations and 15,500 Thoroughbreds have been retrained, rehomed, or retired by accredited organizations.
"1/ST RACING & GAMING stands behind the efforts of the TAA and we are proud to make continued contributions to ensure our thoroughbred athletes receive the best care following their racing careers," said Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST Racing & Gaming.
"We are proud of our long history and partnership with 1/ST Racing," said TAA Operations Consultant, Stacie Clark. "1/ST continues to provide the TAA with a foundation of support through which we can promote the great and vital work done by our accredited organizations. We were thrilled to join our partners here once again at Gulfstream Park to enjoy a fantastic day of racing and to support our industry's deserving horses and the accredited organizations they call home."
1/ST executives and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance committee and board members, Nicole Walker, Vice President, The Stronach Group and Aidan Butler, presented the trophy for the TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf to the connections of winning mare Queen Goddess. Following the trophy presentation, Walker and Butler were joined by fellow TAA Board Members, TAA staff, and representatives from TAA-accredited organizations for the $50,000 check presentation.
The TAA also presented Best Turned Out Horse Awards sponsored by Centennial Farms. 2023 marks the fifth consecutive year that Centennial Farm's Don Little, Jr. and son Donald Little have presented the Best Turned Out Horse awards at Pegasus. See the full list of Best Turned Out Horse winners on the TAA website at https://www.thoroughbredaftercare.org/pegasus-world-cup-taa-best-turned-out-awards-sponsored-by-centennial-farms/.
