The soft autumn sun bathed Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday as the cheers of the crowd were joined by a deeper sense of purpose. Amid the excitement of stakes races and high-profile victories, the 5th annual Woodbine Aftercare Day highlighted a quieter, yet profoundly important triumph: the welfare of retired Thoroughbreds.
Woodbine Entertainment, through its philanthropic arm Woodbine Cares, presented the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) with a generous $20,000 donation. The funds aim to support programs that retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds whose racing days have ended.
The donation ceremony brought together champions of the cause. Vicki Pappas, chairperson and founding member of LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, accepted the contribution alongside local trainer and volunteer Liz Elder. Representatives from TAA, including Stacie Clark Rogers and Emily Dresden, joined with Emily’s daughters, Aria and Lainey, to celebrate the partnership that keeps horses at the heart of racing alive well beyond the track.
“Supporting the long-term care and well-being of Thoroughbreds is a fundamental part of our responsibility to the sport,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine. “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance does exceptional work ensuring that horses transition safely and successfully into their next chapters. We’re proud to contribute $20,000 to help advance their important mission.”
LongRun, based in Hillsburgh, Ontario, is one of Woodbine’s local TAA-accredited organizations, providing a safe and nurturing environment for retired racers. The day’s activities highlighted the vital role of aftercare in the racing industry. TAA was the named presenter of the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes and sponsored Best Turned-Out Horse Awards for all stakes races on the card, including the Grade 1 Canadian International and the Grade 2 bet365 Dance Smartly Stakes.
“Dedicating a day to aftercare, with on-site engagement, awards, and a named race, provides an impactful platform to highlight this important cause,” said Stacie Clark-Rogers, Operations Consultant for TAA. The day also saw jockeys, valets, blacksmiths, and administrative staff contributing personally, raising an additional $1,500 for the charity.
Woodbine’s generous support, coupled with individual contributions, underscores a shared commitment to the horses that define the sport. As the racetrack buzzed with competition, the message was clear: the care of Thoroughbreds extends far beyond the finish line.
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