The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today that the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) is the Official Aftercare Partner of the 46th Annual Eclipse Awards presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group.
The Eclipse Awards, which will honor the 2016 champions of Thoroughbred racing, will take place on Saturday, January 21 at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla. The TAA will be the beneficiary of the Eclipse Awards Cocktail Reception, which is held the night before.
“We are thrilled to be named as the Official Aftercare Partner of the 46th Annual Eclipse Awards,” said Stacie Clark, the TAA’s operations consultant. “The support of the NTRA over the years has been extremely valuable, and we appreciate its continued efforts.”
The Eclipse Awards Cocktail Reception, held in the walking ring at Gulfstream on January 20, is a night complete with music, dancing, open bar, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Although attending the party is included with an Eclipse Awards ticket, organizers encourage a $20 suggested donation to the TAA. The evening’s gathering also will be opened up to the public after 9 p.m. with a minimum $20 donation to the TAA.
Donations received from the event will go toward assisting the TAA’s 64 accredited aftercare organizations, which support 180 facilities. The NTRA, DRF, Breeders’ Cup, and The Stronach Group have all been longtime supporters of the organization.
“The NTRA is always proud to support the important work of the TAA,” said Alex Waldrop, NTRA President & CEO. “We are crowning the best of the best during the Eclipse Awards, but it is important to make sure all of our Thoroughbred athletes are well cared for when their racing days are behind them.”
Tickets to the Eclipse Awards are available for $425 each. Dinner tickets and reservations for the official event hotels – the Turnberry Isle Miami – can be accessed by contacting Casey Hamilton of the NTRA at chamilton@ntra.com.
The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies. The Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in North America have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Those awards are voted by NTRA, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). Eclipse Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing.
About the TAA
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the non-profit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association Inc., the TAA is also supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 64 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from the TAA. To learn more about the TAA, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.