Woodbine will stage its sixth annual Woodbine Aftercare Day on Saturday, October 3, as part of Canadian International Day at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. The programme will place a strong focus on Thoroughbred welfare and the opportunities available to horses after their racing careers.
The event will support the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which will accredit, inspect and provide grants to approved organisations across North America involved in retraining, retiring and rehoming Thoroughbreds. The initiative will highlight the work being carried out to help former racehorses move successfully into new careers and adoptive homes.
LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society will serve as the local Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organisation associated with Woodbine. Through donations and volunteer support, LongRun will provide retired Thoroughbreds with individual training and evaluation before helping them find suitable second careers and permanent homes.
Woodbine Aftercare Day to Highlight Second Careers and Welfare
As part of Woodbine Aftercare Day, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will become the presenting sponsor of the Grade 3 Nearctic Stakes. The organisation will also present Best Turned-Out Horse Awards, sponsored by Josham Farms Limited, across all stakes races scheduled at Woodbine on Saturday.
The awards will feature the Canadian International (G1), bet365 Dance Smartly Stakes (G2), bet365 Algonquin Stakes (G3), Nearctic Stakes (G3) and Cup & Saucer Stakes. The recognition will highlight the presentation and care of horses competing in the day’s major stakes events.
Jockeys and valets will also have the opportunity to donate a portion of their purse earnings to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The initiative will provide participants with another avenue to support organisations working to assist Thoroughbreds after their racing careers.
Woodbine Entertainment will make a charitable donation of $20,000 to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on Saturday. The contribution will form part of Woodbine’s continuing commitment to equine welfare and aftercare initiatives both on and away from the racetrack.
Stacie Clark-Rogers, Operations Consultant for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, will acknowledge the continued support of the Woodbine community. The organisation will use the occasion to highlight the importance of aftercare and the work carried out by accredited organisations across North America.
Martha Wakely, Director of Thoroughbred Racing Operations at Woodbine Entertainment, will also emphasise the role of aftercare within Woodbine’s wider commitment to equine welfare. Woodbine will welcome the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance team and provide a platform to showcase its work during the Canadian International Day programme.
The sixth annual Woodbine Aftercare Day will therefore combine major racing activity with a focus on what will happen to Thoroughbreds after their time on the track. Through charitable support, sponsorships, awards and voluntary contributions, the programme will draw attention to the organisations helping retired racehorses transition into their next stage of life.
Woodbine Aftercare Day will highlight Thoroughbred welfare at Woodbine on October 3, with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance supporting race-day initiatives and receiving a $20,000 charitable donation from Woodbine Entertainment.
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