Beyond The Wire, Assistance Foundation receive TCA grants

Beyond The Wire and the Maryland Horsemen's Association Foundation are proud to announce they are both recipients of 2024 grants from Thoroughbred Charities of America, whose mission is to fund and facilitate the support of Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them.

The TCA grants totaling over $1 million were awarded this year. Eighty-six organizations were approved for a grant including 56 aftercare organizations, 21 backstretch and farm worker programs, five equine-assisted therapy organizations, three Thoroughbred incentive programs, and one research organization. TCA grants were bolstered this year by a generous bequest from late California Thoroughbred owner Nancy Messineo, who was devoted to the well-being of animals, specifically horses, and was a strong proponent of equine aftercare.

With a record number of grant applications received this year, the TCA Board of Directors established clear funding priorities for the awarding of grants. Working with the TCA Grants Committee, the board determined that funding emphasis would be placed on approved organizations working to serve the backstretch and farm employee communities as well as non-traditional aftercare organizations.

Beyond The Wire was granted $30,000, while MHAF received $17,500.

"We again thank Thoroughbred Charities of America for these generous grants," said Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's A Vice President Linda Gaudet, who serves on the boards of Beyond The Wire and the MHAF. "Beyond The Wire and the Maryland Horsemen's Assistance Foundation are two very important programs that are critical to the health and well-being of our horses and our workforce. We appreciate the TCA recognizing the value of our various programs."

Beyond The Wire was launched in 2017 and since that time has re-homed more than 700 locally-based horses. Jessica Hammond, the program's administrator, said the funding from the TCA grant is extremely valuable given changes in the Maryland racing landscape.

"We are extremely thankful for this generous grant from TCA," Hammond said. "With the change in track ownership here in Maryland, we will be losing a large annual contribution from The Stronach Group that enabled us to provide a strong and efficient aftercare program. Right now, we will be working on obtaining more funding sources so that we can continue taking care of retiring Maryland racehorses. This thoughtful grant couldn't have come at a better time."

The MHAF is a 501c-3 charitable organization established to provide financial assistance for extraordinary circumstances to eligible employees actively working at Maryland racetracks and Thoroughbred farms. The MHAF dovetails with the benevolence programs offered by the MTHA.

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