Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society

10/22/2026

🏆🐎 **HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE IN ALBERTA!** 🐎🏆

🎉 **WE DID IT!!!** 🎉

**ALBERTA THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE SOCIETY IS OFFICIALLY ACCREDITED by THE THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE!**

❤️ **THE FIRST IN ALBERTA!** ❤️

We are beyond thrilled to announce that Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society (ATAS) has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the **FIRST Thoroughbred aftercare organization in Alberta to earn accreditation from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)!**

🏆 **THE GOLD STANDARD IN THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE!**

This prestigious accreditation is not simply awarded — **IT IS EARNED!**

Following an extensive and rigorous evaluation of our organization, facilities, horse care and management practices, operational standards and adoption protocols, ATAS has successfully met the requirements of North America's recognized gold standard in Thoroughbred aftercare.

This achievement represents years of hard work, dedication, determination and an unwavering commitment to the horses at the heart of our mission.

**And we couldn't be PROUDER!**

For Alberta's Thoroughbred racing industry, this is an important step forward in strengthening responsible aftercare and providing a recognized standard of care for the equine athletes who have given so much to our sport.

For ATAS, it opens the door to new opportunities, industry recognition, potential funding resources and continued growth as we work toward helping even more retired Thoroughbreds.

And for our horses?

❤️ **IT'S ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.**

To our incredible Board of Directors, volunteers, partner farms, veterinary professionals, donors, sponsors and racing industry partners — **THANK YOU!**

Your commitment, generosity, encouragement and belief in our mission have helped make this achievement possible.

We are honoured to join the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's network of accredited organizations throughout North America and incredibly proud to represent **ALBERTA** among them!

**FROM THE FINISH LINE INTO THE FUTURE...**

**WE'RE RAISING THE STANDARD OF THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE IN ALBERTA!** 🐎❤️🏆

# TAA

10/18/2026

🤏 You're THIS close to finding your perfect match! 🐎❤️

Your dream horse could be just a few clicks away! Whether you're looking for your next riding partner, a lifelong companion, or a new best friend, your perfect match could be waiting for you!

❤️ Start by becoming an approved adopter!
https://acbanimalsallaroun.wixsite.com/abtbaftercare/adoption

Take the first step toward your next chapter by completing our adoption application, then browse our available Thoroughbreds and discover who might be your perfect match! 🐴

🌐 www.thoroughbredaftercare.ca

Their racing days may be over, but their next chapter could begin with YOU! ❤️

10/18/2026

🐎❤️ WHAT A FABULOUS THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE AWARENESS WEEKEND! 🏇🎉

What an incredible second day to wrap up our Thoroughbred Aftercare Awareness Weekend at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino !

🎉 A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who participated, supported our fundraising activities, and celebrated with us throughout the weekend!

🏆 A special shout-out to our winners!

🐴 ATAS Trivia Challenge Winner – Arlene B.! Congratulations on taking home our prize package, including a mini b**r keg and ATAS & HBPA swag!

💰 50/50 Winner! Our jackpot climbed to an amazing $2,345! Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and helped make our fundraiser a success!

🏇 Congratulations to all the winning connections throughout the weekend, especially the winners of our Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society sponsored feature races! We were thrilled to celebrate with special blanket presentations to the winning connections in Saturday's final two claiming races. ❤️

A heartfelt THANK YOU to our wonderful partners, HBPA of Alberta and Century Downs Racetrack & Casino, for their collaboration, generosity, and continued support of Thoroughbred Aftercare in Alberta.

And to everyone who stopped by our booth, learned who we are & what we do, took interest in the horses in our program looking for adoptive homes, entered our trivia challenge, purchased 50/50 tickets, shared a story, or simply showed their support — THANK YOU! ❤️

Every conversation, every contribution, and every show of support helps us continue our mission of providing safe landings, new opportunities, and forever homes for Thoroughbreds when their racing careers come to an end. 🐎❤️

Because the finish line is just the beginning of their next chapters! 🏇❤️

10/17/2026

🐎❤️ What a fun night at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino to kick off Our Thoroughbred Aftercare Awareness weekend!!🐴🥰
&
🎉 Congratulations to all the winning connections from Friday night's races! It was a fantastic evening of racing, and we loved celebrating with you!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by our booth, purchased 50/50 tickets, filled out our Aftercare Trivia Challenge entry ballots, and showed their support for the Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society! Your enthusiasm and generosity mean so much to us and the horses we work to support! ❤️

🏇 We're back at Century Downs TODAY, for Day 2...starting at 12:45 PM!

Come join us for another exciting afternoon of racing, fun, and fundraising as we continue celebrating Thoroughbred Aftercare Awareness Weekend!

🎟️ 50/50 Fundraiser – Grab your tickets online or from our volunteers at the track!
https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/albertathoroughbredoct17/

📝 Aftercare Trivia Challenge – Test your Thoroughbred knowledge, submit your entry ballot, and enter for a chance to win some fantastic prizes... including a mini keg of b**r 🍺 😀

🏆 Winner Presentations & Sponsored Races – We'll be celebrating the winning connections with special presentations, swag, and beautiful winner blankets!

🐴 Come Meet Our Team! Learn more about the incredible Thoroughbreds transitioning into new careers and forever homes after racing, and how YOU can make a difference!

❤️ Every ticket purchased, every conversation, and every show of support helps us raise awareness and funds for Thoroughbred aftercare in Alberta.

A special thank you to Century Downs Racetrack & Casino and the HBPA of Alberta for their collaboration and support in helping make this weekend possible!

📍 Find us at our booth in the east-side lobby, across from the finish line or out on the tarmac selling 50/50's :)

Come enjoy the racing excitement, cheer on your favourites, have some fun, and help us give these incredible equine athletes the futures they deserve! 🐎❤️

See you at the races! 🎉

10/15/2026

🐎❤️🏆 **IT'S AFTERCARE AWARENESS WEEKEND AT Century Downs Racetrack and Casino!** 🏆❤️🐎

🎉 **FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2026!** 🎉

Get ready for TWO exciting days of Thoroughbred racing, special race winner presentations, prizes, fundraising, and celebrating the incredible horses and people who make Alberta's racing community so special!

❤️ ** Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society (ATAS)** is excited to celebrate **AFTERCARE AWARENESS WEEKEND**, proudly presented in collaboration with the HBPA of Alberta**Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA) of Alberta** and **Century Downs Racetrack & Casino!**

Together, we're shining a spotlight on the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare and recognizing the amazing athletes whose futures matter long after they cross the finish line! 🐎❤️

🏆🐎 **SPECIAL RACE SPONSORSHIPS & WINNER'S BLANKET PRESENTATIONS!**

Throughout the weekend, ATAS will be sponsoring selected Thoroughbred races for Blanket Presentations and also celebrating the winning connections with special commemorative ATAS/HBPA swag :)

We're proud to recognize the owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, exercise riders, and dedicated backstretch teams who work tirelessly behind the scenes to care for these incredible athletes.

With additional merchandise provided through our collaboration with the HBPA of Alberta, we're making this a weekend to celebrate our racing community and the horses who give us so much!

❤️ **Because every racehorse deserves a future beyond the finish line!**

🧠🍺 **THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT RACING & AFTERCARE ? TAKE THE AFTERCARE TRIVIA CHALLENGE!**

We're bringing some extra fun to the races! (AND B**R!!! ) ;)

Stop by the ATAS booth, or at the betting windows & pick up your trivia sheet, and answer FIVE questions about Thoroughbred racing and aftercare!

🎁 Return your completed entry for your chance to WIN:

🍺 A MINI-KEG of Oktoberfest B**r!
🎁 An ATAS & HBPA SWAG BAG filled with goodies!

Bring your friends, test your racing knowledge, and have some fun while learning about the incredible versatility of retired Thoroughbred racehorses!

Donate and Ring the Bell in support of TB Aftercare in Alberta
AND...
🎟️💰 **OUR 50/50 FUNDRAISER IS BACK — AND YOU COULD WIN BIG!**

Who doesn't love a chance to take home HALF THE JACKPOT while helping horses?

Every ticket supports ATAS and our ongoing efforts to provide safe transitions, rehabilitation, retraining, and new opportunities for Thoroughbreds following their racing careers.

📱 **BUY YOUR 50/50 TICKETS ONLINE!** (link below)

🐎 Or come see us **IN PERSON at Century Downs**, at our ATAS booth or out on the **TARMAC**, where our volunteers will be selling tickets throughout the weekend!

✅ Online and in-person ticket sales!
✅ You do NOT have to be present to win!
✅ The bigger the jackpot, the bigger the prize!

🎟️ **BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE:** https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/albertathoroughbredoct17/

🛍️🐎 **COME VISIT OUR ATAS BOOTH!**

We'll have ATAS merchandise, hoodies, swag, opportunities to learn about our horses available for adoption, and information about how you can get involved in supporting Alberta's retired racehorses!

Whether you're a racing fan, horse owner, trainer, rider, or simply someone who loves horses, we'd love to meet you!

🤝❤️ **A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR COLLABORATING PARTNERS!**

🏇 **CENTURY DOWNS RACETRACK & CASINO** — Thank you for welcoming ATAS and helping us bring aftercare awareness directly to Alberta's racing community!

🏇 **HBPA OF ALBERTA** — Thank you for collaborating with us to recognize our horsemen, horsewomen, winning connections, and the Thoroughbreds at the heart of our industry!

Your support helps us build awareness, strengthen relationships, and encourage a racing industry that continues to support its equine athletes beyond their racing careers.

🐎❤️ **THE FINISH LINE IS JUST THE BEGINNING!**

Join us October 16 & 17 at Century Downs and help us celebrate the horses, the people, and the bright futures that Thoroughbred aftercare makes possible!

📍 Century Downs Racetrack & Casino — Balzac, Alberta
📅 Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17

❤️ **RACE. CELEBRATE. SUPPORT AFTERCARE.**

10/10/2026

🍂🦃 Giving Thanks & Looking Ahead to an Exciting Aftercare Awareness Weekend — October 16 & 17! 🐎❤️

As we take a moment this Thanksgiving weekend to reflect on all we have to be grateful for, Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society (ATAS) would like to wish our entire racing and equestrian community, friends, families, volunteers, donors, and supporters a very Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁

From the hardworking farm and ranch families who care for our animals, to the trainers, owners, breeders, horsepeople, and countless individuals and supporters working behind the scenes, we recognize the dedication, compassion, and hard work that make our agricultural and racing communities so special.

We are especially thankful for the incredible people who continue to support our mission of providing retired Thoroughbred racehorses with the care, opportunities, and second careers they deserve. It truly takes a community, and we are so grateful to have you as part of ours! ❤️

🐎🍁 AND... WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEKEND!

We're gearing up for what we hope will be our BEST AFTERCARE AWARENESS WEEKEND YET! 🎉

Join us Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17 at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino for two exciting days celebrating our Thoroughbreds, their connections and the wonderful people who support their futures beyond the finish line!

🎟️ OUR 50/50 ONLINE DRAW IS NOW LIVE! 💰

The jackpot is officially underway, and we're going to keep building that pot right through next weekend!

📲 Scan the QR code or click the link below to purchase your tickets :)

https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/albertathoroughbredoct17/

Help us grow the jackpot and get in on the excitement! The bigger the pot grows, the bigger the prize for one lucky winner.. and the more support we can provide for Thoroughbred aftercare!

🏆 The grand prize draw will take place before the end of the races on Saturday, October 17!

And that's just the beginning! We've got some fantastic things planned throughout our Aftercare Awareness Weekend!

🏇 Special Sponsored Races & Blanket Presentations! Celebrating our Thoroughbreds and their connections with special race presentations throughout the weekend!

🧠🐎 Thoroughbred Trivia! Think you know your racing terminology, fun horse facts, and all things Thoroughbred? Put your knowledge to the test throughout both days, join in the fun, and see just how much you really know about our amazing equine athletes! 🎉 Plus, we'll have a special trivia-exclusive door prize up for grabs!

📖 Keep an eye out for details in the race programs....

🎁 Equine Equipment Bucket Prize & Exciting Giveaways! Some fantastic goodies for our horse-loving community!

🛍️ Swag Bags & Surprises! We've got some special treats planned throughout the weekend!

🎟️ 50/50 Ticket Sales! Our online draw is already open, and we'll be selling tickets in person at the track throughout the weekend as we build toward Saturday's grand prize draw!

❤️ Aftercare Awareness & Community Connections! Stop by, say hello, learn more about our horses, our adoption and aftercare programs, and the many ways you can get involved in helping Thoroughbreds transition into their next chapters.

We're excited to bring our racing community together for a weekend of celebration, appreciation, and giving back to the horses who have given us so much.

Let's fill those stands, grow that 50/50 jackpot, test our Thoroughbred knowledge, and make this our biggest and best Aftercare Awareness Weekend yet! 🐎🎉

But first, from all of us at Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society, we wish you and your families a wonderful, safe, and Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂🦃❤️

Thank you for being part of our journey and helping us give Thoroughbreds a brighter future beyond the finish line.

🐎 Every Horse Deserves a Future Beyond the Finish Line.

10/04/2026

We'll be tuning in....will you? 🏇💞🏇

Aftercare is about more than where a Thoroughbred goes when its racing career ends. It’s about creating opportunities for what comes next. That mission will be on full display this week at the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by TCA.

Join us October 7–10 at the Kentucky Horse Park and follow along as Thoroughbreds begin their next chapters. ✨

10/04/2026

With heartfelt sympathy, we remember Allan Graham Lawrence, a lifelong horseman, breeder, owner, and devoted supporter of Alberta’s Thoroughbred industry.

Through Land’s End Stock Farm, Graham left a lasting mark on racing in Alberta. His legacy included high-earning mares Pleasure & Hope, and his beloved stakes mare This Cat Can. He also stood the Thoroughbred stallion Harry The Great, who enjoyed a wonderful life, retiring after his breeding career and passing at the age of 27.

Some of the other horses connected to Graham and Land’s End Stock Farm were Forty's Finest, Fine Wings, Kitt Cattin, Cando Cat, Miss Go Lightly, and Second War. Over the years, Graham teamed up with trainers Rod Cone, Ernie Keller, and Michael Luider, sharing in the highs, challenges, and memories that come with breeding and racing Thoroughbreds in Alberta.

His horses were part of Alberta racing for decades. Pleasure & Hope, trained by Rod Cone, last raced at Stampede Park on Nov 7, 1993 & had LTE of $172,432 USD , while This Cat Can made her racing debut as a two-year-old at Stampede Park on October 7, 2000, with Ernie Keller, and raced through to September 4, 2005, at Northlands Park with the same connections. Her $126,275 USD career and longevity on the track are part of the legacy Graham leaves behind.

But perhaps one of the most meaningful pieces of that legacy is what happened after racing.

Graham understood that our responsibility to these horses does not end when they leave the racetrack. Today, his last stakes mare, This Cat Can, remains retired and cared for by his neice, Retired RCMP Officer, Stacey Talbot, a beautiful continuation of Graham’s lifelong commitment to the horses he bred, raised, raced, and loved.

We extend our deepest condolences to Stacey, who has always worked hard to give OTTBs (& Retired Police and Military service dogs) a wonderful home and new careers and has generously volunteered her time and supported the Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society throughout our 2026 journey, as well as to the entire Lawrence family, Graham’s friends, and the many members of Alberta’s racing community whose lives crossed paths with his.

Graham’s contribution to the industry lives on not only in race records, pedigrees, and memories from days at the track, but in the horses themselves, including one very special mare still enjoying the retirement she earned.

Rest easy, Graham. Your hoofprints remain. ❤️🐎

In lieu of flowers, the family has graciously requested that memorial donations be made to the Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society, helping us continue providing retired Thoroughbreds with the care and future they deserve.
https://donate-can.keela.co/annual-donation-campaign-atas

10/04/2026

🎉 WHAT A WEEKEND — AND WE HAVE A WINNER! 🎉

Yesterday wrapped up an incredible weekend for the Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society and we are so grateful for the tremendous support we received!

Our 50/50 jackpot reached $3,305, and a huge congratulations goes to Suzanne S., who took home $1,652.50! 💰🥳 Congratulations, Suzanne!

Our 50/50 and Silent Auction were both a huge success, raising thousands of dollars to support Thoroughbred aftercare and help Alberta’s racehorses transition into their next chapters after their racing careers end. ❤️🐎

A huge thank you to everyone who purchased 50/50 tickets, bid in our Silent Auction, donated items, volunteered, shared our posts, stopped by our booth, or supported us in any way throughout the weekend. Every ticket, every bid and every contribution made a difference.

We also want to give a huge shoutout to our incredible industry partners who collaborated with us throughout the weekend.

Century Downs Racetrack and Casino thank you for hosting us and for your amazing team, who went above and beyond to assist and support us throughout the weekend. We truly appreciated everything you did to help make the event such a success.💞🏇💞

Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) (CTHS Alberta)
Thank you for supporting ATAS alongside Alongside your Campus Derby Day and the CTHS Sales Stakes celebrations, and for continuing to recognize the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare within our racing industry.

And a very special thank you to the Rotary Club of Nisku-Leduc for helping make our 50/50 so successful ...getting our raffle online, providing the electronic sales machines, and handling the draw and all of the behind-the-scenes logistics. 🙌

And an enormous thank you to all of the amazing donors who generously supported our silent auction with donated items experiences services and packages! Your generosity gave us an incredible selection of items to offer and played a huge part in making the auction such a success! We truly could not have done it without you!
Our fundraising committee did a bang up job of organizing and facilitating the event...Kudos to Heather, Hazel & Brenda 💞

This weekend was a wonderful example of what can happen when our racing community & public come together for our horses.

From all of us at Alberta Thoroughbred Aftercare Society, THANK YOU for making the weekend such a success and for continuing to support Alberta’s Thoroughbreds beyond the finish line. ❤️🐎

And once again, congratulations Suzanne — enjoy your $1,652.50! 🎉💰

❤️🐎