This component sets the TAA apart and allows for us
to ensure the money is going to support the horses.
Everyone involved is extremely passionate about theprocess and the donor=s dollar. We have a very strong
commitment to making sure the money is spent wisely
and efficiently.
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance recently
announced that they have awarded a total of$1,000,000 to 23 accredited facilities. Since its
formation in Feb. 2012, the TAA has provided
accreditation to Thoroughbred aftercare facilities andprovided them with a source of funding to support theirefforts. The TDN=s Catlyn Spivey caught up with newly
appointed Executive Director James Hastie to discuss
what it means to be accredited and what the TAA has
to look forward to in 2014.
TDN: Before coming to the Thoroughbred Aftercare
Alliance last month, you worked on behalf of theAmerican Red Cross. Can you explain your backgroundand how you became involved in the Thoroughbred
racing industry?
JH: I wasworking for theRed Crossessentially raisingmoney to provide
funding to people
displaced by fire,
flood, tornadoes
and otherdisasters. Withfour years at theRed Cross, I hadJames Hastie and TB retiree “Sport” really taken astep away fromhorses. I grew up on a hunter/jumper farm in
Casenovia, NY. My younger sister and I were the only
ones really involved in competing in horse shows which
generated from my mother=s love of horses. I competedand had the opportunity to ride with some really highclass riders in the circuit, like Rodney Jenkins before he
retired to become a racehorse trainer. The board at theTAA was looking for someone who had experience withhorses but also had a non industry take on fundraising.
Through due diligence with a rehabilitation center, I
was connected with the people at TAA.
TDN: Every organization that is funded by yourorganization must first apply and complete a rigorous
accreditation process. Can you explain what it takes tobe accredited?
JH: First, it=s a very thorough application process. We
have an accrediting committee composed of a diverse
group of individuals that have been involved inaftercare, as well as financial representatives that
decide the financial stability of these facilities and theirprograms. Our accredited partners agree to live up to a
specific set of standards. Often, they undergo surpriseinspections by volunteers such as vets and farriers.

TDN: Why is the rigorous application process soimportant to donor confidence?
JH: It=s the same whether we are talking about horses
or the Red Cross. You want to know that your money
is going to where we say it=s going. It=s all about
delivering upon the mission. Our core supporters
stepped up early on in this process to get thefoundation going. Aside from the seed investors andthe money they set up for basically starting thefoundation, we can honestly say that every dollar weraised from our donors goes directly to horse care.
TDN: Some may say Thoroughbred aftercare is not ataxing issue. After raising $1,000,000 to support theefforts of those striving to care for racehorses after
their career, how much would you say is needed tosolve the issue?
JH: It=s easy for people to say how much is needed
when people have lost everything and have nothing.
The horse world is a bit different. We are trying to workon researching the issue a bit more to come up with afigure. As we accredit more facilities we are going toneed more money. The $1,000,000 we awarded from
Arizona was just so well received, and the aftercare
facilities and the volunteers were so grateful it makes
me want to work even harder. I think anyone who hasever owned a horse knows it s a fairly expensive
proposition. We have some folks that are really great at
providing Thoroughbreds with a comfortable retirement
and/or a quality retraining program, where they can findthem a new job and adopt them out to a family that isgoing to really care for them and pamper them.
TDN: With so many generous donors alreadycontributing to the program, what are some new
fundraising ideas in place for the future?
JH: We are reaching out to every segment of theindustry right now. There is a lot of interest out there.
I=m hearing from bloodstock agents, vets, jockeys,owners. People that I never thought I could get ameeting with, instead they are reaching out to me. I
want people to know if they are in a position to help
us, in any of the different sectors of the industry, weabsolutely need their help. The potential is out there. I
just need to meet with these folks one on one. The
sales companies and stallion owners were first to stepup. The Jockey Club, Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, OBS,
Barretts and the Breeders= Cup have all been
phenomenal. For somebody in my position, it has been
extremely gratifying to see all the people reaching outto me. For each person that contacts me I have a
different idea for how they can help. If we can getmodest contributions from every sector in the industry
the aftercare solution is going to present itself.
TDN: If you had one goal for the TAA in 2014, what
would it be?
JH: My one goal for 2014 is to grow that $1,000,000
to $5,000,000 and we are well on our way.