Aidan Butler with Cannonstone at his Stone Agent Ranch. (photo courtesy of TAA & Aidan Butler)
TAA Holiday Giving Campaign December 24th
TAA Press Release
Lexington, Ky.—As part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)’s month-long Holiday Giving Campaign, Aidan Butler and his beloved off-track Thoroughbred Cannonstone have pledged to match all donations up to $2,500 made to the TAA on Dec. 24, 2022.
A major pillar in racetrack stewardship, Butler strives to elevate the sport of racing through safety, innovation, and a long-term commitment to fund sustainable aftercare initiatives— including the TAA. Long before Butler’s induction to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Board of Directors in 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of 1/ST RACING & GAMING had proven his dedication to supporting the TAA through numerous 1/ST racetrack funding initiatives.
Butler adopted “Stone” from TAA-accredited Secretariat Center in 2019. Cannonstone represents one out of approximately 15,000 retired racehorses whose transition from racing to second career was facilitated by funding from the TAA. Now, Butler and Stone wish to support the TAA and its 81 accredited organizations during the TAA Holiday Giving Campaign.
“The TAA is vital to the success and longevity of our racing industry,” said 1/ST RACING & GAMING Chief Executive Officer, Aidan Butler. “On a personal level, I wouldn’t have my beloved horse Cannonstone without the TAA and their network of accredited groups (or the vet bills, but he’s worth it). We are all in this together and if we continue to put the horse first, success will follow. Please join Stone and I to give back to the horses that truly give us everything.”
“We appreciate Aidan’s commitment to the TAA and to the Thoroughbreds,” said TAA Operations Consultant, Stacie Clark. “Aidan’s horse Cannonstone has been a wonderful mascot not only for aftercare but for all fans of Thoroughbreds and racing.”
TAA’s Holiday Giving Campaign commenced November 29th and is scheduled to conclude New Year’s Eve. Those wishing to support the TAA, its 81 accredited organizations, and thousands of retired Thoroughbreds can donate through the TAA’s website or text DONATE to 56651. During the Holiday Giving Campaign, TAA is also offering donors the benefit of sending digital holiday cards to colleagues, friends, and loved ones.
Throughout the end of the year, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will continue to host special one-day only donation matches with some of horse racing’s biggest names. For more chances to double your donation, watch the TAA’s social media, website, and industry advertisements for the next Holiday Giving match day announcement.
To learn more and donate to the TAA’s Holiday Giving campaign, visit: ThoroughbredAftercare.org/HolidayCampaign.
About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
Based in Lexington, KY, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, the TAA has granted more than $28.1 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 81 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about the TAA, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.
