Samantha Smith, the director of marketing and communications for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance since February 2023, can never remember a time when horses were not a part of her life. The native of Syracuse, N.Y., attended a horse camp as a young child, received her first riding horse when she was in middle school, and competed in hunter/jumper classes. She also received some early exposure to racing through her father who owns Standardbreds.

Owner Mike Repole has pledged support to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance through a matching campaign throughout January. In honor of registered Thoroughbreds’ birthdays, Repole will match donations up to $100,000, presenting a unique opportunity for the racing community and charitable donors to make a meaningful impact for retired racehorses. The matching initiative begins Jan. 1 and extends through Jan. 31.