LEXINGTON, Ky. – Thoroughbred Charities of America has announced the recipients of its Award of Merit honored at breeders associations’ awards ceremonies in April.
Launched in January, in celebration of its 25th anniversary, nearly 20 recipients will be honored throughout the year. Recipients are nominated by the leadership of various state Thoroughbred owners and breeders associations.
Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue was honored at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s Awards Banquet on April 6, Dennis Miller was named the recipient at the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s Awards Banquet on April 24, and Hope After Racing (H.A.R.T.) was recognized by the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association on April 26.
Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue in Pawling, N.Y. is committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and retraining of Thoroughbreds no longer able to race. The organization has successfully retrained and rehomed hundreds of Thoroughbreds since its inception in 2006.
Dennis Miller is the former executive director of CANTER Arizona and has helped many owners and trainers at Turf Paradise find suitable homes for their racehorses and broodmares. He has assisted with the rehabilitation of numerous horses and donated shipping, feed and care for retiring Thoroughbreds.
Started in 2011, Hope After Racing (H.A.R.T.) aims to be a refuge for noncompetitive and often injured racehorses by assisting in their development as pleasure mounts. H.A.R.T is dedicated to the adoption of Thoroughbreds from Prairie Meadows Racetrack.
Nominees consist of individuals or organizations working to provide a better life for Thoroughbreds or the people who work with them, either on the backstretch or on the farm. Both achievements are reflective of TCA’s all encompassing mission to help Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them.
Other recipients honored earlier this year include Kip Elser, Elizabeth MacDonald, Equine Encore Foundation, Russ Rhone, Bowman Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption, Emerald Downs’ the Prodigious Fund and Amy Tarrant.
Subsequent award winners will be announced monthly.
TCA was formed in 1990 to raise and distribute funds for charities in the Thoroughbred industry which provide a better life for Thoroughbreds both during and after their racing careers by supporting retirement, rescue, research and by helping the people who work with them. Over the last 24 years TCA has distributed over $20 million in grants to more than 200 Thoroughbred-related organizations. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).
