From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 19, 2025) — The Jockey Club today announced the new Off-Track Thoroughbred Profile, the first equineline.com report centered on Thoroughbreds in their second careers. The report, 9OT, provides information customized to off-track Thoroughbred owners and those shopping for a Thoroughbred. Based on feedback received from off-track Thoroughbred owners, the report contains a bespoke summary of the horse’s race record, including comments, owners, and trainers for each race; the last 10 workouts; a list of the horse’s siblings; auction history; and, if applicable, the subject mare’s produce record. To encourage the promotion of Thoroughbreds in their second career, this report is shareable through SMS messaging and email and across multiple platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X. Equineline product 9OT is available for purchase for any registered Thoroughbred at equineline.com. The report will be available for free to all off-track Thoroughbreds with a T.I.P. number as a benefit to those participating in The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.). OTTB Profiles for existing T.I.P. numbers can be accessed... ...

From Gregson Foundation ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2025) — Tom Reynolds, a horse owner and long-time racing fan who had a successful career in sales and marketing in the food service industry, has been named to the board of directors of the Gregson Foundation, the organization’s president, Jenine Sahadi, announced Monday. The Gregson Foundation, named for the late Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Eddie Gregson, provides scholarships for the children of backstretch workers in California. The 501(c)(3) charity has been in existence for nearly 25 years. “I greatly admire what the Gregson Foundation accomplishes for the backstretch families,” Reynolds said. “I strongly believe that as a society, our biggest mission is to educate our children.” “Tom has been a passionate and long-time supporter of the Gregson Foundation, and we are thrilled to have him join our board,” Sahadi said. Reynolds retired after working for nearly 35 years as a sales and marketing executive for the Quaker Oats Company, Gatorade, and PepsiCo. Reynolds started the Gatorade business in Europe, ran the Gatorade business... ...

From CHRB The California Horse Racing Board meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, March 20, at Cal Expo has been canceled. The few items that were on that agenda will be considered at a future meeting. The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for April 17 at Cal Expo. ...

From Gregson Foundation By Jay Privman ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 6, 2025) — Juan Delgado is in his first year at UCLA, the next step on a journey that has seen him excel at Pasadena City College, and in a research program at Stanford, impressing his mentors as he moves towards his goal of obtaining a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology. Delgado said his desire is to “build a career focused on improving health outcomes for immigrant and marginalized communities.” He has been laser-focused on that target, with stellar grades and a work ethic that helped him get into UCLA, as well as receive scholarship funds from the Gregson Foundation. At Pasadena City College, Delgado was “one of the most promising students I have had the pleasure of teaching,” Jessica Rusk, an adjunct professor of psychology, wrote in support of Delgado’s scholarship application. “In my class, I assign a research paper which involves reading, conducting academic research, summarizing three peer-reviewed journal articles, and arguing one’s opinion on a premise,” Rusk... ...

Hoof Pick Racing Partners Release W. Morgan Fussell Jr., managing partner of Hoof Pick Racing Partners LLC, is pleased to announce the retirement of our six-year-old homebred mare, Smiling Molly (Smiling Tiger). Molly enjoyed a successful racing career, earning over $200,000 in purses and an additional $40,000 in California Breeders and Owners awards. Racing over multiple seasons, she was a five-time winner at four different California tracks and placed in 56% of her 25 career starts at eight different tracks, demonstrating versatility on turf, all-weather, and dirt surfaces. Molly retired sound.   “Molly was our second foal from the Exchange Rate mare, Jilted Lady, and we are immensely proud of her accomplishments,” said Fussell. “We extend our sincere gratitude to Per Antonsen, Ryan Hanson, and Wayne Baker, whose expertise and dedication were instrumental in Molly’s successful career.”   Smiling Molly has settled in at Kismet Farms, located in Midway, KY, and will be bred to Two-Year-Old Champion, Corniche (Quality Road). We wish her all the best in her new endeavor... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2025) — Nomination for the 2025 Ballot closed on March 1 with five candidates for five open positions. As a result, and consistent with previously established TOC procedures (and Section 7522 of the California Nonprofit Benefit Corporation Law), the TOC Board declared the five candidates that were nominated and qualified as having been elected without the vote of the full membership. This has the added benefit of saving the organization approximately $18,000 in election expenses. I am pleased to announce the election of five directors to three-year terms: Nick Alexander – After joining the TOC Board in 2013, Nick served as Chairman from 2017-2021 and has raced Thoroughbreds in California for over 40 years. He has enjoyed great success as an owner and breeder with California homebreds. Joe Ciaglia – CEO of the world’s most recognized skatepark design and build form, Joe claimed his first horse in 1999 and has gone on to enjoy success at the highest level. John Harris – Owner of Harris Farms and... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2025) — For its 86th summer season by the blue Pacific, Del Mar is planning a $7,825,000 stakes program that provides 38 opportunities for a piece of its distinctive black type headed by the iconic track’s piece de resistance – the 35th edition of the $1,000,000 Pacific Classic, a Grade I headliner that often lures top horses from across the nation for its mile and one quarter testing.  Exactly half – 19 – of the 38 races, which include five overnight stakes, will be contested on the turf and eight of the stakes will be for California-breds, offering a total of $1-million in purses. Additionally, the five overnight stakes each will carry a purse of $100,000. The Pacific Classic will be run on Saturday, August 30 as the centerpiece for a sparkling card offering five graded stakes and more than $2-million in purses, including a pair of Grade II features – the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap and the $300,000 Del Mar Mile... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2025) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting Thursday, February 20, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Brenda Washington Davis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcastlink, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: The Board reaffirmed California horse racing’s commitment to working with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act/Authority (HISA) by redirecting revenue from Advance Deposit Wagering to allow racetracks to pay their fair shares of 2025 HISA costs. Santa Anita will pay the most, $471,958, because it operates seven months of the year and has the most thoroughbred starts. Del Mar’s assessment is $277,437 for its 2½ months of racing. Altogether the tracks will pay $876,872 to HISA. California’s obligation to HISA actually is significantly higher, nearly $7 million, but HISA credits California for picking up the substantial costs of drug testing, sample... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2025)— Two students from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), studying in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Equine Studies program, have been selected to join Santa Anita as interns through an ongoing partnership between the famed racetrack and the world-renowned university. Sabrina Nakasone, a senior and Leslie Batista, a junior, were selected for this year’s class. Both are majoring in Animal Science Pre-Veterinary with a minor in Equine Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. The internship program, which began last year, is designed to provide students with authentic work experience in the Thoroughbred racing industry with a focus on veterinary best practices and racetrack operations. Each student will complete a minimum of 60 hours between now and the internships end on May 10. “We are excited to continue our partnership with Cal Poly Pomona, providing driven Equine Studies students an introduction to the Thoroughbred racing industry and best veterinary practices with Santa Anita’s incredible team,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, Vice... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2025) — The Jockey Club today introduced Naming AI, a new tool designed to assist customers with naming their horses. Naming AI enables users to generate five or 10 name options with a choice of one-, two-, or three-word names. Customers can use the tool to generate names based on words of their choosing or based on a foal’s pedigree. The tool adheres to the naming rules outlined in Rule 6F of the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book, but as with all names being claimed or reserved, those generated by Naming AI are subject to approval by The Jockey Club Registry. “We’re very excited to launch this new naming feature,” said Andrew Chesser, director of Registration Services and director of Business Development for The Jockey Club. “Offering a naming tool that can be used to generate names from the horse’s pedigree or based on user input will help owners find creative names to submit for their horses.” Developed by... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2025) — The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) has announced the winners of its 2024 statistical awards for leading California owners. For the fourth consecutive year, Reddam Racing was leading owner in total purse earnings and topped the standings for most California starts. Hronis Racing LLC led all owners by number of California wins; and leading owner honor for most California stakes wins was shared in a two-way tie by Cuyathy LLC and the partnership of Sondereker Racing, Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin and Richard Thornburgh, owners of Cal-bred sensation The Chosen Vron. Reddam Racing runners earned a total of $2,031,442 in California last year, with 32 wins from 252 starts. Multiple stakes winner Stay and Scam won the Irish O’Brien and Fran’s Valentine stakes at Santa Anita. Bred by Reddam and trained by Doug O’Neill, Stay and Scam was also second in the Grade 3 Wilshire S. and third in the Grade 3 Royal Heroine S. Reddam’s other stakes placed runners included Don’t Fight the Fed (2nd in the E.B. Johnston S.), Barely Functional (2nd... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 22, 2025) — Each year The Jockey Club publishes a report about how it supports the Thoroughbred industry. The 2025 report can be found here: The Jockey Club 2025 Industry Impact Report.  Since 2010, The Jockey Club has invested more than $110 million in the Thoroughbred industry. This year, it will invest more than $6 million to support initiatives such as equine safety and aftercare, industry growth, promotion of the sport, education, and national and international collaboration.   “We are proud of the many initiatives we support and that The Jockey Club’s mission has not wavered in more than 130 years,” said James L. Gagliano, president and COO, The Jockey Club. “It is so encouraging to see how many other organizations are committed to improving and growing Thoroughbred racing, especially in the areas of welfare of our athletes and promotion of our sport.” As the Thoroughbred breed registry for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, The Jockey Club Registry is a not-for-profit organization with the... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2025) — The California Horse Racing Board meeting that was to be held this coming Thursday, January 16, has been canceled out of consideration for those affected by the fires in Southern California. The few items on that agenda will be moved to the February meeting, which will be held at Cal Expo on February 20 at 9:30 am. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2025) — What started with a food truck guy, a street vendor, and a self-described “food enthusiast,” all wanting to provide food to Los Angeles County wildfire victims, has grown into a massive effort to collect donations and distribute them to those in need. It began at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., and has now moved to Santa Anita Park‘s parking lot. Thousands of people are pouring into the racetrack, some bringing items to donate and others lining up for a chance to pick up needed supplies—all provided for free. The wildfires that have broken out across Los Angeles County are still raging, with the Eaton Fire closest to Santa Anita, but not threatening the racetrack. As more and more people lost their homes, Jerry Martinez, Juan Diaz, and Jimmy Medina wanted to help. “This all started with wanting to give hot dogs out to the local community of Pasadena that were victims of the fire,” Martinez said. “Originally, this was only supposed to be... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri and Brenda Washington Davis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. Golden State Racing’s (GSR) decision to withdraw its license application for a thoroughbred meet at Pleasanton in 2025 greatly abbreviated the meeting agenda. Vice Chair Gonzales and Commissioner Alfieri both spoke to this issue, as they had worked tirelessly with industry leaders and northern horsemen and workers, first in an effort to preserve the GSR meet, and then when that could not be achieved, to help implement the plan for continued stabling in Pleasanton with horses being shuttled back and forth for racing in the south. Vice Chair Gonzales referenced the CHRB news release statement on this issue (link) and its optimism... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 20, 2024) — The Jockey Club today announced a pilot project, the Mare Incentive Program, that waives registration fees for certain 2026 foals of mares that meet criteria defined by The Jockey Club. “The Jockey Club is waiving registration fees for any 2026 foals of mares that are listed and that are introduced or returned to the breeding population in 2025 in an effort to stimulate interest in this group that appear to have left production,” said James L. Gagliano, president and COO, The Jockey Club. “We believe the complimentary software tool developed by TJC Innovations that prepares the report of these mares provides an invaluable asset for breeders as they consider potential matings.” Each December, The Jockey Club will provide a list of the mares identified in the Mare Incentive Program through Interactive Registration (IR). The list for the 2025 breeding season is available now, and The Jockey Club Registry will waive the registration application fee for 2026 foals out of these mares. “The... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: While the Board considered the license application for the upcoming winter-spring meet at Santa Anita, track executive Aiden Butler took the opportunity to address a much larger issue. In essence, he said racing in California is heading toward disaster if Santa Anita and northern thoroughbred interests continue to compete with overlapping race meets. Both Santa Anita and Golden State Racing (GSR) at Pleasanton are cutting purses due largely to small fields and reduced handle. He described this as “suicide.” His solution, though not clearly spelled out in great detail, essentially calls for horses to continue training in the north but... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 21, 2024) — TJC Innovations (TJCI) today announced an update to the TLore management app that provides a streamlined version of the app for owners. Log on credentials dictate which app version a user views. The owner app enables owners to keep track of their horses with an easy-to-use, optimized interface. Owners can view their horse roster, race entries, results, race replays, and workouts, including horse notes, photos, and workout videos, all pulled directly from their trainer’s TLore data. “We wanted to make this version of the app as easy to use as possible while providing all the information an owner needs to keep track of their horses, anywhere, anytime.” said Tracy Attfield, founder of TLore and TJCI vice president. “Thanks to TLore’s now being part of TJC Innovations, we can offer real-time automated integration of race and workout data and a Premium PP subscription service. Plus, owners can customize which notifications they would like to receive, including new race entries, results, workouts,... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2024) — Stuart S. Janney III, chair of The Jockey Club, announced today his intention to step down from his position as chair, effective August 2025. He recommended, and the board of stewards of The Jockey Club agreed, that Everett Dobson, a member of the board of stewards, be chosen as his successor. The leadership transition will commence over the coming months, and Janney will remain on the board of stewards through his term, which will end in August 2026. Janney, a prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder for several decades, was elected vice chair of The Jockey Club in 2010 and became chair in 2015. During his tenure, The Jockey Club expanded its commercial businesses and used those proceeds to make substantial investments in support of the sport. Janney was awarded the Eclipse Award of Merit earlier this year. He is chairman emeritus of Bessemer Trust and resides in Butler, Maryland. Dobson is a longtime owner and breeder of Thoroughbreds. He is... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 18, 2024) — Applications for The Jockey Club’s paid internship program for college students and recent college graduates and its five academic scholarships opened today. The internship program will accommodate up to three interns and is now available in the summer or fall based on the intern’s preference. Interns will gain exposure to all companies and departments within the organization, and they will have the opportunity to spend additional time in areas that they find to be of particular interest. The program will last eight weeks. The internships will take place in The Jockey Club’s offices located in Lexington, Ky. For more information and to view the application, interested candidates should visit bit.ly/tjcinternships. Applications are being accepted through January 3, 2025. Selected interns will be notified in February 2025. The Jockey Club scholarships will apply to the 2025-2026 academic year and are as follows: The Jockey Club Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester) is for those enrolled full time as an undergraduate or graduate student at... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB or Board) is releasing this advisory as a useful guide for stakeholders and others who participate in Board meetings. It covers Board meeting-related processes, procedures, and practices based on the controlling statutes and regulations in order to promote efficiency in the consideration of agenda items and associated materials. This advisory applies immediately, so stakeholders submitting applications should work with their CHRB staff analyst to submit documents in a timely manner for the November Board meeting in three weeks.  CHRB rules require applications and associated materials to be filed with the Board at least 90 days prior to the first day of racing or operation for review, investigation, and approval.  Any subsequently updated materials to be included with the application must be submitted to the CHRB no later than the date delineated on the CHRB website. Even if agendized, the Board will not consider incomplete applications (e.g., race meet licenses, ADW approvals, mini-satellite licenses).  For a race meet... ...

From Press Release LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2024) – Harris Auerbach, a long-time thoroughbred industry stakeholder and bloodstock investor, is proud to introduce HorsePAUER Enterprises to the thoroughbred breeding, sales and racing industry. HorsePAUER will operate as a subsidiary of PAUER Consulting LLC and will offer its clients a diverse array of services including industry sales and marketing strategies, stakeholder development, communications and public relations services, commercial and private sales representation, breeding stock portfolio management and bloodstock/matings consultations. Auerbach has guided his bloodstock business for over 20 years including the campaigning of California’s all-time leading sire Unusual Heat and transitioning his family’s once regional business into a national based bloodstock operation. He was among the very first to promote a stallion and breeding operation with his company’s long running, fully dedicated website (www.auerbachracing.com) and a precocious for the industry social media presence. Auerbach also served as Vice Chairperson of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association and is a visible staple on both the Kentucky and California racing/sales landscapes. Launched in... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 10, 2025) — The Jockey Club’s traceability initiative, which was announced at the 2023 Round Table Conference (bit.ly/3YiHCH7), launched this summer with email prompts to racetracks and sales companies with digital certificates of horses that have had no Interactive Registration (IR) activity and no Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) number in the past two years.  “We have reached out to many tracks and sales companies and have had a good result with certificates being transferred to the correct parties,” said Rick Bailey, registrar of The Jockey Club. “If anyone has a digital certificate of foal registration in their account for a horse they no longer possess, we encourage them to transfer the certificate to the current owner or appropriate certificate manager.” Starting this week, The Jockey Club Registry is sending an email to individuals listed as the certificate manager of a horse that has had no IR activity and no T.I.P. number in the past two years. The email directs certificate managers to a... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2024) — Under the supervision of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and dictated by state and federal standards, five additional horses have been euthanized at Los Alamitos after they tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). This follows the euthanasia of seven other EIA positive quarter horses earlier this month. All 12 horses were trained by Heath Taylor and stabled in his barn at Los Alamitos. As was reported October 3, CDFA ordered three of the Taylor horses to remain in quarantine as part of a group including those that tested positive. All three of those horses later tested positive and were among the five euthanized on Wednesday. After EIA was detected among Taylor horses in other states as well, CDFA and United States Department of Agriculture initiated epidemiological tracing of the disease. As such, all of Taylor’s horses at Los Alamitos were tested by CDFA. Those tests identified two additional positives in the Taylor barn, resulting in their euthanasia. The other... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 19, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri,, John Carvelli, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis and Thomas Hudnut. Due to a power outage at Cal Expo, the CHRB was unable to stream the audio of the proceedings to the public. Technicians recorded the audio using battery power and later provided the audio file to the CHRB. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: The Board conditionally approved the license application for Golden State Racing Association (GSR) to conduct a thoroughbred meet in Pleasanton that will operate from October 19 through December 15 with 26 programs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The GSR license application was incomplete as it lacked the Advance Deposit Wagering agreement and more critically the mandatory... ...

From CARMA ARCADIA, Calif . (Sept. 15, 2024) — CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) is thrilled to announce the release of “What Horses Do After Racing: The Story of Good Carma,” a captivating children’s book written by renowned horse racing journalist Jay Privman and published by Red Cliff Publishing. This beautifully illustrated book is a legacy project for CARMA, dedicated to highlighting the remarkable transitions of racehorses into new and fulfilling careers beyond the track. About the Book “What Horses Do After Racing: The Story of Good Carma” takes young readers on a journey through the lives of four racehorses—Good Carma, Stylish Samantha, Lovely Lucinda, and Silly Billy—who, after their racing days are over, find new homes and purposes. The main character, Good Carma, is a beautiful chestnut filly with a splash of white on her face and legs, making it look like she’s wearing socks. The story showcases the horses’ dreams of their future careers. Through engaging storytelling and illustrations, the book highlights how each horse transitions to a... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 29, 2024) — The Jockey Club today announced its newly elected stewards and members. The new stewards are Gary Fenton, David O’Farrell, Everrett R. Dobson, and Vincent Viola. William S. Farish Jr. (vice chair) was reelected. The remaining stewards are Stuart S. Janney III (chair), Ian D. Highet (treasurer), William M. Lear (secretary), Barbara Banke, Louis A. Cella, Terry Finley, and R. Alex Rankin. The new members are Joseph Appelbaum, John Ballantyne PhD, Rick Gold, Marshall Gramm PhD, MV Magnier, Jon Miller, Garrett O’Rourke, and Jessica Steinbrenner. In 2002, Appelbaum co-founded Off The Hook LLC, a racing, sales, and breeding operation that has produced numerous stakes winners, including Breeders’ Cup and Eclipse Award winners Informed Decision and Spun To Run. Appelbaum was the 2018 champion of the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge. Appelbaum recently completed two terms (six-years) as president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and was concurrently president of the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. Appelbaum served on the board of directors of the National... ...

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 16, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the Del Mar Hilton. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Brenda Washington Davis and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcastlink, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: The Board approved the license application for the Los Angeles Turf Club to conduct a race meet at Santa Anita Park that will operate from September 27 through October 27. Racing will be offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and on Monday, October 14. Chairman Ferraro opened the discussion by announcing that henceforth all race meets in the state will no longer directly benefit from simulcast revenue on any day a program is canceled for reason other than inclement weather. Instead, the simulcast revenue from such a canceled program will be channeled into regulatory costs for all meets... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2024) — Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella has been named the 20th winner of the coveted Laffit Pincay, Jr. Award and will be presented with it at Del Mar by Pincay during ceremonies on Saturday, August 31, Pacific Classic Day at the seaside oval.  The award, named for the Hall of Fame rider who is one of the greats of the game, is given annually to those who have served the sport of racing “with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination and distinction.” Mandella, 74, has trained horses on his own since 1976 and has collected more than 2,300 winners and $157 million in purses. He becomes the sixth trainer to win the award.  ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 12, 2024) — John Carvelli, of Newport Beach, has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board. Carvelli was a Partner and Executive Vice President at LIBERTY Dental Plan from 2004 to 2024. He is a member of the Catholic University of America Board of Trustees, The FAMILY San Francisco and the North American Boxing Federation Executive Committee. Carvelli earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from the Catholic University of America. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Carvelli is registered without party preference. Carvelli replaces Wendy Mitchell. ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 6, 2024) — The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) today announced that entries for all divisions of the 2024 T.I.P. Championships are now open. Additionally, there is an online declaration form that can be used to declare all horses for T.I.P. Championships. Please note that this form must be used for horses that are automatically qualified or horses that require a Hardship Request to qualify. More information about qualifying can be found below. 2024 T.I.P. Championships Open for Entries T.I.P. Championships in hunter (crossrails to 3’0″), jumper (2’6″ to 3’6″), English pleasure, combined test (starter to preliminary), dressage (introductory to FEI TOC), Western dressage (TOC), Western pleasure, ranch riding, competitive trail, and in-hand will occur at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina. The show will commence the evening of Thursday, October 3, and will continue through Sunday, October 6. Important deadlines are as follows: Declaration closing date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 Hardship Request closing date: Saturday, August 31, 2024 On-time entries close: Monday, September... ...

From the Jockey Club SARATOGA Springs, N.Y. (Aug. 1, 2024) — In the keynote address of The Jockey Club’s 72ndAnnual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, which concluded earlier today, Todd Gralla, principal / director of Equestrian Services of Populous, a global design firm focusing on sports and entertainment, discussed how integrating modern consumer tastes into the redesign of racetracks can retain the history of racing while enhancing the fan experience and keeping our horses safer. “Honoring this history and looking to the future, as well as putting horses front and center with experiences and intimate connections between the patrons, horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners, has become our design philosophy driving our horse racing projects.” The conference was held at the Excelsior Springs Event Center in Saratoga Springs, New York, and streamed on jockeyclub.com. The Jockey Club Chair Stuart S. Janney III presided over the conference. Meghan Rodgers, senior vice president of Public Affairs, National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), gave an overview of the success of the national... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 31, 2024) — Today The Jockey Club announced the rebranding of its wholly owned commercial subsidiaries – The Jockey Club Information Systems, The Jockey Club Technology Services, and InCompass Solutions Inc. – under a single commercial brand called TJC Innovations. “To more efficiently meet the evolving demands of customers looking for comprehensive datasets and solutions that span the entire breadth of our businesses from breeding to racing to sales to retirement, TJC Innovations can service the customer with one call,” said James L. Gagliano, president and COO of The Jockey Club. “In addition, a growing segment of the market is seeking more diverse and robust datasets to support big data applications such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. TJC Innovations has the raw data and expertise to work with the customer to ensure their unique demands are met.” As part of the rebranding, TJC Innovations also announced three initiatives. TLore TJC Innovations executed an agreement to purchase the TLore Management LLC (TLore)... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (July 24, 2024) — Tiz Molly Partners has been selected by Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) as the recipient of the inaugural Horseracing Partnership Award. Nominated by one of the four partners, Richard Thornburgh, the partnership was chosen by TOC’s Owner Relations Committee from a strong field of 14 nominees. Its other partners are Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker, and Eric Kruljac, who also trains for the partnership. The new annual award recognizes and celebrates the growing population of co-ownerships and partnership entities within the horse racing community. Nominees were asked to provide a compelling story that simply but significantly reflects the joy of the sport. The award was open to co-ownerships and partnerships of all sizes from two and up. Nominations closed June 1. The partnership began with the purchase of retired racehorse Tiz Molly as a broodmare prospect. Tiz Molly went on to produce Tizhotndusty, a winner of over $250,000, and CTBA Cal-Bred Horse of the Year, The Chosen Vron, winner of 15 stakes races... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (July 9, 2024)— Santa Anita will host 22 stakes including the inaugural GI, $1 million California Crown during its 16-day Autumn Meet starting Friday, Sept. 27. The first-ever California Crown Day at Santa Anita, featuring five stakes worth $2.8 million in prize money, will be presented the following day on Saturday, Sept. 28. The California Crown program, which was formally announced on March 1, is a new racing and entertainment concept inspired by the popular Pegasus World Cup Day at Gulfstream Park. California Crown Day is slated to bring together the adrenaline of world-class Thoroughbred racing with the excitement of live performances, interactive experiences, and cutting-edge technology. The hefty prize money offered on the stakes-laden card is being provided by 1/ST Racing. The event’s namesake race, the Grade I, $1 million California Crown, is for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. It replaces the Awesome Again on the Santa Anita stakes slate. In addition to its hefty purse, the California Crown... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (July 9, 2024) –A pair of stakes worth a guaranteed $175,000 will be run during the upcoming September Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. The first stakes race – the $75,000-guaranteed E.B. Johnston – will be run Saturday, Sept. 14. A one-mile race, the Johnston is restricted to 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California. A week later – Saturday, Sept. 21 – fillies and mares – 3-year-olds & up – will get together in the $100,000 Dark Mirage at one mile. The six-day season is scheduled to begin Friday, Sept. 13 and continue through Sunday, Sept. 22. Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday both weeks (Sept. 13-15 and Sept. 20-22). Post time will be 1 p.m. ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (July 3, 2024) — The board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) unanimously voted to appoint owner/trainer Mark Glatt to fill a vacancy on the board created by the recent resignation of longtime board member Rick Gold. Glatt grew up on a five-acre ranch in Auburn, Washington. He credits his father, trainer Ron Glatt, with imparting his love of horseracing. “I remember being at Longacres when I was five years old, feeding horses carrots and a little later on holding horses on the wash rack or in ice,” recalls Glatt. “By the time I started high school, I knew I wanted to be a trainer.” After studying at Western Washington University, Glatt began training Thoroughbreds in 1995, handling a second string for his father at Yakima Meadows. The following year, he moved to Golden Gate Fields in Northern California; and in 2000 he relocated to Southern California. Now a fixture on the California racing circuit, Glatt has trained many impressive runners, including graded... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 22, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Thomas Hudnut, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: After industry stakeholders failed to agree on a formula for financing the CHRB budget ($18,223,000 for fiscal-year 2024-25), the Board imposed a formula that complies with state statutes, while giving some relief to smaller racing operations. In short, all tracks will pay the costs of their own stewards and official veterinarians, as well as equine drug testing for their meets, but the major Southern California racetracks will shoulder a large share of other CHRB expenses, such as investigators, licensing personnel, and headquarters operations. Two things brought this matter to a head. First, the Southern California... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 13, 2024) — James L. Gagliano, president and COO of The Jockey Club, announced today several promotions and title changes to key members of The Jockey Club’s management team: Andrew Chesser was promoted to director, Registration Services, and director of Business Development for The Jockey Club. Chesser has been with The Jockey Club since 2006; he also serves as a director of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Amber Florence was promoted to senior vice president of Finance and Business Planning for The Jockey Club. Florence joined The Jockey Club in 2023. Shannon Kelly was named director of Industry Relations for The Jockey Club. Kelly is also executive director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation and began with the foundation in 2013. Shannon Luce was promoted to vice president, Communications, The Jockey Club. Luce has been with The Jockey Club since 2005. Christelle Morgan was named manager of Cataloging for The Jockey Club Information Systems. Morgan joined the company in 2001. Kristin Werner... ...

From NTRA The NTRA’s Legislative annual report is now available. Click here to view. Features of the report include: A federal legislative summary of issues that affect horse racing and breeding; the summary includes a review of 2023 activity as well as any relevant updates  A list of contributors to the NTRA’s Legislative Action Campaign through the ¼% Check-off Program and other related NTRA fundraising programs  2024 Sale calendars of NTRA partners Biographies of NTRA Legislative team members Member discount information from NTRA partners (John Deere, Big Ass Fans, Sherwin-Williams, ODP Business Solutions and Farmers Insurance)   Thank you to all who supported the NTRA’s federal legislative effort in Washington, DC, by contributing to the ¼% Check-off Program, the Foal Program, the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) Tour or through a direct contribution.   We encourage you to share this report with others who have an interest in Thoroughbred racing and who share your enthusiasm for the sport. ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (June 3, 2024) – Rick Gold has been selected by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) as the 2024 recipient of the Ed Friendly Industry Service Award, also known as the TOC Chairman’s Award. The award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions and service to the Thoroughbred racing industry. Former recipients include some of the most prominent names in California racing, including Mace Siegel, John Harris, Bob and Beverly Lewis, Jerry and Ann Moss, and, most recently, Mike Pegram. Gold is retiring this year following eight years of invaluable service to the TOC and other industry boards. During his tenure, he notably served as Chairman of TOC’s Integrity & Safety Committee. His tireless commitment to advancing the welfare and integrity of horse racing has been exemplary, especially in his pivotal role safeguarding California and industry interests during the formation of HISA. Furthermore, Rick embodies the modern-day owner, with significant equine investments in both California and Australia. Rick almost always co-owns horses with others and has... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 30, 2024) — The Jockey Club announced today that is hosting a podcast, On the Lead, as part of its communications and outreach to the industry. On the Lead, presented by The Jockey Club, is produced by the In the Money Media Network, owned and operated by Pete Fornatale and Jonathon Kinchen, and it is hosted by Shannon Kelly, executive director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, and Fornatale. The 12-episode series will cover a variety of topics reminiscent of the Round Table Conference’s theme of “matters pertaining to racing,” including The Jockey Club’s companies and industry initiatives. The goal of the series is to have entertaining and interesting conversations with varying industry voices targeting owners, breeders, fans, and anyone interested in Thoroughbred breeding and racing. The podcasts will also feature a mailbag component that will incorporate questions from the audience. The email address for the On the Lead mailbag is OTLmailbag@jockecyclub.com. “Through the podcast and the mailbag feature, we hope to reach out... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 24, 2024) — Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee convened to review the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The Committee approved the bill with a 34 to 25 vote. The bill includes an initiative led by Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) to allocate up to $5 million in grants for equine therapy under the Veterans Affairs (VA) Adaptive Sports Program. These grants will be awarded by the VA to eligible organizations to plan, develop, manage, and implement equine therapy programs for Veterans and Armed Forces members with disabilities. “Funding initiatives to help Thoroughbreds find a second career is a top priority for the NTRA, and to be able to do that while aiding Veterans is a big victory,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “This grant will fund equine therapy programs so our retired racehorses can benefit our nation’s Veterans. Those of us who have been blessed to spend time with Thoroughbreds... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 17, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcastlink, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: The Board heard extensive testimony on the subject of funding for its own budget in fiscal-year 2024-25. The underlying issues still have not been resolved. The funding mechanism must be in place by July 1, essentially at the June 20 meeting of the Board. California racetracks and horsemen always have paid for CHRB operations. In 2009, the California Legislature and Governor approved a statute restructuring license fees and the method of CHRB funding. That 2009 statute specifically requires all racetracks to pay the costs for stewards, official veterinarians, and equine drug testing at their own race meets.... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 16, 2024) — The Jockey Club announced today the recipients of its five academic scholarships, which will be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year. Lauren Maas was selected to receive The Jockey Club Scholarship ($7,500 per semester), which is awarded to a student on an academic path toward employment in the equine industry. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with an equine emphasis from UC-Davis and is a candidate for a Master’s of Science in Animal Biology with the thesis, “Arrhythmogenesis and Sudden Cardiac Death in Thoroughbred Racehorses.” After receiving her Master’s, Lauren will attend veterinary school at the Royal Veterinary College in London, England. The Jockey Club Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship ($10,000 per semester) is being awarded to Sophia Vega. Sophia plans to graduate from the University of Kentucky in the spring of 2026 with a degree in Animal Science / Pre-Vet with an equine emphasis. She works as a nursing technician at Rood and Riddle equine... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 15, 2024) — Applications for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program’s (T.I.P.) two annual awards, the Thoroughbred of the Year Award and the Young Rider of the Year Award, are now available online at tjctip.com. Applications are due June 30, 2024. The T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award recognizes a Thoroughbred that has excelled in a non-competitive career, such as equine-assisted therapy or police work. The award includes a $5,000 grant to the non-profit organization associated with the horse or, if no organization is associated with the horse, to a horse-related charity chosen by The Jockey Club. To apply for the T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award, owners can go to tjctip.com/About/TBNCA.   The T.I.P. Young Rider of the Year Award recognizes young riders, 18 or under as of January 1, 2024, who own or lease a Thoroughbred for use in 4-H, Pony Club, or other activities. The winner(s) will be determined through an essay contest with a total award of $5,000 that can be applied to... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 9, 2024) — The PDF of the 2024 edition of The American Racing Manual, which contains historical data through 2023, is now available through The Jockey Club Fact Book. The Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thoroughbred breeding, racing, and auction sales in North America. The Jockey Club is accepting feedback for potential modifications to The American Racing Manual, which can be submitted to contactus@jockeyclub.com. ...

Press Release from Godolphin LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 8, 2024) — Nominations for the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards open today, Wednesday, May 8th, and will close Monday, July 15th. The TIEAs were held in America for the first time in 2016. Godolphin, the global racing and breeding operation founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the principal sponsor of the awards in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Breeders’ Cup. Godolphin also sponsors equivalent awards in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain, and France. Cash prizes totaling $122,000 will be awarded to winners and two finalists in a total of seven categories as well as monetary awards going to two runners-up. The awards are the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, Katherine McKee Administration Award, Dedication to Breeding Award, Dedication to Racing Award, Newcomer Award, Support Services Award and Management Award. TIEA is also pleased to announce that our category sponsors, which lent their support... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 1, 2024) — The Jockey Club’s traceability initiative, which was announced at the 2023 Round Table Conference, is scheduled to launch this summer. In preparation, the Registry encourages anyone with a digital certificate of foal registration in their account who no longer has possession of the horse to transfer the certificate to the current owner or appropriate certificate manager. “We strongly encourage everyone to log on to Interactive Registration and check that the horses in their accounts are still in their possession,” said Rick Bailey, registrar of The Jockey Club. “Traceability is a priority for the Thoroughbred industry, and The Jockey Club’s commitment in this area, demonstrated by this project and others, underscores that significance.” The first phase of the initiative will trigger email prompts to certificate managers of horses that have no racing activity and no Thoroughbred Incentive Program number in the past two years. The initial phase will focus on racetracks and sales companies. “The goal of the traceability initiative is to ensure... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. —Three stakes – including the $100,000 Bertrando for 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California — highlight the eight-day Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos. The Bertrando will be run on Opening Day, Saturday, June 22. The meet will continue through Sunday, July 7. Racing will be conducted Saturday-Sunday the first two weeks (June 22-23 and June 29-30) then Thursday-Sunday (July 4-7) the final week. Post time will be 1 p.m. The richest race of the meet will be the $400,000 Grade II Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies & mares at 6 ½ furlongs. Won a year ago by multiple graded stakes winner Eda, the Great Lady M. will be offered Saturday, July 6. The $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby, which was won by Reincarnate in 2023, giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his seventh consecutive victory in the race, will be run Saturday, June 29. The Derby is for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles. Baffert has won the local... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 25, 2024) — Del Mar once again will offer eight black-type events strictly for California-breds at its 31-day meeting that runs from Saturday, July 20 through Sunday, Sept. 8. Del Mar will offer the most lucrative purses in California and the west, with an average daily distribution to horsemen and women of $860,000. Maiden Special Weight races will be run for $75,000. Del Mar will be the host track for this year’s renewal of the Breeders’ Cup on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2 with its more than $33 million in purses and awards to go along with its 14 championship races.  The Cal-bred stakes, which carry overall purses of $1 million:   Fri. Jul 26 FLEET TREAT STAKES Fillies, Three-year-olds, Cal-Bred $150,000 Guaranteed 7 Furlongs Fri. Aug 02 REAL GOOD DEAL STAKES Three-year-olds, Cal-Bred $150,000 Guaranteed 7 Furlongs Sat. Aug 03 CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ STAKES Three-year-olds & up, Cal-Bred $150,000 Guaranteed 1 1/16 Miles (T) Sun. Aug 04 CTBA STAKES Fillies, Two-year-olds,... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky (April 23, 2024) – Today the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced a new national campaign, Safety Runs First, and corresponding website to promote the sport’s collective commitment to safety, welfare, and integrity. Safety Runs First (safetyrunsfirst.com) highlights reforms being implemented in the sport of Thoroughbred racing and their results to date, including the impacts of the national regulatory oversight body, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA); emerging technologies and their applications on the future of equine safety and welfare; new veterinary and track surface protocols; and other measures being taken by the sport to enhance safety practices. The campaign and website are designed to be a continuing, long-term resource for the public as the racing industry furthers its investment in programs and resources to help reduce injury risk and enhance the safety of its athletes. “Safety Runs First will be a key part of our sport’s commitment to transparency and accountability as we continue to strive for ways to create the safest environment possible... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr. 19, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: Northern California stakeholders took another step towards filling in the 2024 racing calendar – reflecting the permanent closure of Golden Gate Fields after June 11 – by dividing up summer weeks vacated by Golden Gate and extending fair meets in Sacramento, Ferndale, and Fresno. While the individual meet applications still must be considered by the Board, those interests made the customary request that their meets along with the Alameda County Fair at Pleasanton be designated as one continuous meet, largely for pari-mutuel carryover reasons. The Board approved the request for a continuous meet. A fourth fair... ...

From TOC ALBANY, Calif. – The Thoroughbred Owners of California will hold an Owners Appreciation luncheon for licensed owners at Golden Gate Fields on San Francisco Mile Dale, Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. in the Turf Club. This event is free for licensed Owners and one complimentary guest. Additional guests will result in a fee – $50 per person. Reservations are required. RSVP by Tuesday, Apr. 23. Click here to register. Contact Wayne Atwell with questions at watwell@toconline.com. ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 25, 2024) — The Jockey Club announced today that the 2024 edition of the Fact Book is available in the Resources section of jockeyclub.com. The online Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thoroughbred breeding, racing, and auction sales in North America and is updated quarterly. This edition of the Fact Book includes a new page with an estimate of the total number of registered Thoroughbreds in North America based on 25-year periods. Other updates to the fact book will be published throughout the year, including exports by age and average earnings per starter by various sire metrics. The Jockey Club is continually seeking ways to provide information in novel formats concerning the Thoroughbred industry to the public. Please email Shannon Luce, vice president, Communications, with your ideas: sluce@jockeyclub.com. The 2024 State Fact Books, which feature detailed breeding, racing, and auction sales information specific to numerous states, Canadian provinces, and Puerto Rico, are also available on The Jockey Club website. The State... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Thomas Hudnut, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: The Board completed 2024 date allocations for Northern California by allocating dates from October 16 through December 25 to a new thoroughbred meet at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Commissioner Alfieri needed to step away shortly before, so the final vote was 6-0 in favor of the allocation. This followed three hours of discussion, including comments from more than 20 Northern California stakeholders in favor of the allocation. The new meet is a result of the announced permanent closure of Golden Gate Fields after June 11. The Board previously allocated dates for the... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (March 2, 2024)—Santa Anita Park has opened its all-new synthetic Tapeta inner training track, effective Saturday morning.  Following the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in early November, Santa Anita embarked upon an $8 million project to provide horsemen with a state-of-the-art all-weather surface that will complement its one-mile natural dirt main track and serve as a safe and viable component in the conditioning of Thoroughbreds on a year ’round basis.                Manufactured by Maryland-based Tapeta Footings, Inc., Tapeta, which is currently in use at a total of nine different racecourses, has proven to be the safest and best all-weather surface in the world.                “At Tapeta, our aim is to maintain the surface so that we have a soft cushion below and a slightly firmer finish on top,” said Joan Wakefield, of Tapeta Footings.  “This helps to reduce kickback and provide stability without as much impact on the horse.  For the training track at Santa Anita, we have used a high temperature wax specially blended... ...

By Emily Shields    SOLVANG, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2024) — Japanese-bred Fusaichi Zenon will be calling Kingfisher Farms home. The $768,157-earner was found in an auction pen in Texas on February 21, and a massive effort was rallied to bring him out safely.     A son of Sunday Silence, Fusaichi Zenon broke his maiden first out in Japan at Hanshin. He won a pair of stakes races – including a Grade 2 event – early in 2000 and arrived in California in 2001. Second in an allowance race at Del Mar, Fusaichi Zenon shipped to Belmont Park to run fourth in the Grade 1 Man o’ War Stakes before retirement.     Retired with a record of three wins and a second in eight starts, Fusaichi Zenon originally went to stud at Magali Farms near Santa Ynez. He completed his stallion career in New Mexico.     An inspiring social media effort was made to generate the funds to secure and transport this classy horse to his new home. He will live... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2024) — Dr. Ronald Jensen, who served 10 years as equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board through 2005, passed away at his home on February 12. Arrangements for a Celebration of Life are pending.  Dr. Jensen received his DVM from Iowa State University in 1962 and MS in 1963.  He worked as a racing regulatory veterinarian for 42 years, serving  as a commission veterinarian for the Illinois Racing Board for 32 years and for 10 years with the CHRB under an agreement with the University of California, Davis. He then spent 10 years working with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety and Integrity Alliance Accreditation Inspection Team. Dr. Jensen, an honor-roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), served on the AAEP Board of Directors, chaired the Racing Regulatory Committee, and was a member of the Ethics and Infractions Committee.  He was the regulatory veterinary advisor for the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC)... ...

From NTRA Thank you to all who supported the NTRA’s federal legislative fundraising efforts in 2023. Auction buyers, sellers, and consignors as well as farm owners, breeders, horseplayers and others contributed to the NTRA’s Legislative Action Campaign through either the ¼% Check-off Program, NTRA Foal Program, National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) Membership or by making a direct contribution. Click here to view the Contributors List. We also thank our sale company partners for their assistance with and participation in these fundraising efforts. Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company (OBS), Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (WTBOA) and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) all play an important role. Contributors to the Legislative Action Campaign are eligible to save on products and services from NTRA Advantage/Equine Discounts partners such as John Deere, Big Ass Fans, Sherwin-Williams, ODP Business Solutions and Farmers Insurance. Call toll free 1-866-678-4289 or visit EquineDiscounts.com to get started. Thanks again for your support. With appreciation, Joe Bacigalupo ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Feb. 18, 2024)—Santa Anita Park and California Polytechnic University Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) have announced a partnership to provide internship opportunities to selected students who are currently enrolled in the Cal Poly Pomona, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Equine Studies Minor program.                 These internships will serve as a conduit to introduce prospective young professionals to the Thoroughbred industry via authentic work experience while also providing valuable insight and first-hand knowledge to be applied in their prospective careers.                 “We are truly excited about this new partnership with Cal Poly Pomona,” said Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager Nate Newby.  “This is a tremendous way for us to introduce up and coming young professionals, as well a large group of highly motivated Cal Poly students, to our industry and best veterinary practices in Thoroughbred racing.  We look forward to welcoming our new interns and we hope to make fans out of them as well.”                 A pair of fourth-year students, Tina... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 31, 2024) — The House of Representatives passed H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, with huge bipartisan support. This comprehensive tax package includes the extension of 100% bonus depreciation until the end of 2025. Since its inception in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, 100% bonus depreciation has played a pivotal role helping more people enjoy the sport of Thoroughbred racing by fostering economic growth from within. The provision allows businesses that own horses to depreciate 100% of their purchase price in the first year when the horse starts participating in the sport. This bill will also retroactively elevate any purchases made in 2023 to the 100% bonus depreciation level, which were previously at 80%. This legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration, with the hopes that it is quickly passed and signed into law. The Thoroughbred industry has seen increased investment over the past several years in large part due to provisions such as... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 25, 2024) — The Jockey Club and the Ed Brown Society (EBS) are pleased to announce that The Jockey Club has become an Ed Brown Partner. The Ed Brown Partnership is the highest level of participation in support of the work of the EBS that an organization can attain. The Jockey Club and EBS will be working collaboratively to provide exposures and experiential growth opportunities to Ed Brown scholars and fellows across the various companies and initiatives operated by The Jockey Club. “We are excited to embark upon this critical work with The Jockey Club. Because The Jockey Club’s operations touch virtually every aspect of our industry, this partnership opens up many more professional opportunities for our scholars and fellows to explore. So, we salute The Jockey Club for demonstrating this commitment to our mission. Undoubtedly, this partnership will lead to a more inclusive future for our industry,” said EBS Chairman Greg Harbut.      “The Ed Brown Society shares The Jockey Club’s commitment to... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan.21, 2024) —Brenda Davis, of Sacramento, has been reappointed to the California Horse Racing Board, where she has served since 2020. Davis has been Principal at the Brenda Davis Law Group since 2007. She was Managing Counsel at the California Farm Bureau Federation from 1999 to 2007. Davis was a Legislative Advocate and Negotiator in the Executive Office of the Attorney General at the California Department of Justice from 1996 to 1999. She is a member of the California State Bar, New Mexico State Bar, Mercy Foundation Board of Trustees and the Friends of Sacramento Arts Board of Directors.  Davis earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy Sciences from Duke University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Davis is a Republican.   ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2024) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: The Board heard extensive testimony on the subject of 2024 date allocations for Northern California. The Board previously approved dates for Golden Gate Fields to run its final meet through June 2024 and for the fair season into early October. Allocations for the remaining months of 2024 have been on hold while northern interests discuss possible ways to fashion a northern circuit in the absence of the thoroughbred track that has been the anchor of northern racing for decades. Larry Swartzlander, executive director of the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF), speaking on behalf of all... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Damascus Castellanos and Brenda Washington Davis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: Dr. Francisco Uzal, a professor of pathology at U.C. Davis and head of the CHRB Postmortem Program, reported on the program findings for 2022-23. Of particular importance, he reported that of the 65 postmortem examinations for the year, for the first time in the 34-year history of the program, the majority of the equine fatalities were due to medical causes, not musculoskeltetal injuries. This was evidence that the many new regulations and procedures introduced in California in recent years to protect horses and riders have had the desired effect of reducing breakdowns in racing and training. Dr. Uzal went on... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, CA (Dec. 13, 2023)—A nice man who was quick with a smile, loved everything about the racing industry and greeted thousands of fans as Santa Anita’s popular Paddock Captain, John Shear passed away Tuesday from natural causes at age 102 in a rehabilitation facility in Arcadia, according to a statement from the Shear family.                 Beloved by the many fans with whom he came in contact, as well as by his fellow employees, jockeys and horsemen, Shear opted to retire while in good health at age 100 in July of 2021.                 “John will be deeply missed by countless life-long friends here at Santa Anita,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager.  “We were honored to have him as part of the Santa Anita family for more than 60 years of dedicated service and we’ll never forget him.”                 Born Jan. 17, 1921 in England, Shear was raised in an orphanage from age four to 14.  At four feet, 11 inches,... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2023) — Del Mar will open its 2024 summer meeting – the 85th at the iconic seaside oval – on Saturday, July 20. The slightly-later-than-usual start to the season was keyed by the fact that the San Diego Country Fair will conduct its popular gathering a bit past its usual finale on July 4, going forward instead to Sunday, July 7. Del Mar will need the extra time from July 8 onward to prepare its racing surfaces and stable area for the start of the meet and to ensure its safety protocols are all in place. The summer meet will provide eight weeks of racing and conclude on Sunday, September 8. Further, Del Mar also has finalized its fall racing dates which will be highlighted by the 41st edition of the Breeders’ Cup, the third time the championship event has come to the shore. Opening Day of the 11th Bing Crosby Season will be on Thursday, October 31. Then that Friday and Saturday... ...

From CHRB CYPRESS, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Los Alamitos Race Course. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcastlink, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: Continuing to cooperate with the Horseracing and Safety Authority (HISA) in every way, the Board agreed to collect and remit fees on behalf of HISA, as the Board did in 2022. The HISA assessments will cover California’s share of both the anti-doping and medication control program and the racetrack safety program. Discussions are ongoing with HISA to determine the amount of credits California will receive for enforcing the federal rules. The Board also adopted HISA’s recommended national concussion protocol for jockeys, which includes return-to-ride guidelines for jockeys declared fit to ride following an incident. The... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2023) — Applications for The Jockey Club’s paid internship program for college students and recent college graduates and its five academic scholarships opened today. The internship program will accommodate up to three interns and is now available in the summer or fall based on the intern’s preference. Interns will gain exposure to all companies and departments within the organization, and they will have the opportunity to spend additional time in areas that they find to be of particular interest. The program will last eight weeks. The internships will take place in The Jockey Club’s offices located in Lexington, Ky. For more information and to view the application, interested candidates should visit bit.ly/tjcinternships. Applications are being accepted through January 5, 2024. Selected interns will be notified in February 2024. The Jockey Club scholarships will apply to the 2024-2025 academic year and are as follows: The Jockey Club Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester) is for those enrolled full time as an undergraduate or graduate student... ...

By DRF.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2023 — Del Mar, which is already set to host the 2024 Breeders’ Cup, also will host the 2025 Breeders’ Cup, it was announced via press release Wednesday afternoon. The Breeders’ Cup was previously held at Del Mar in 2017 and 2021. In 2024, the Breeders’ Cup will be held Nov. 1-2. In 2025, the event will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The last time the Breeders’ Cup was held at the same venue in consecutive years was Santa Anita in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Santa Anita held the 40th Breeders’ Cup last weekend for a record 11th time. “Our return to Del Mar in back-to-back years marks the continuation of a wonderful collaboration and successful partnership, both with our friends at the track and with the greater San Diego area, demonstrating our continued commitment to California horse racing,” Drew Fleming, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited, said in a press release. “We look forward to once again gathering... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2023) — Renowned equine photographer Katey Barrett, whose work was an integral part of Santa Anita’s opening day Winter Meet souvenir calendar for more than three decades, passed away following a bout with cancer this past Sunday, Oct. 22 at age 91 according to her sister, Jane Barrett.             “Katey had been on hospice and was diagnosed with cancer a couple of months ago,” she said. “She was at Santa Anita and took beautiful pictures for more than 40 years. She received many awards and she was dedicated to serving animals, all animals.  A lot of people have been calling and expressing what she has done for them personally, in their lives.              “Katey was a very selfless person.,” Jane Barrett continued. “She was dedicated to helping with the operation of a wild horse sanctuary near Mt. Lassen and keeping the horses free.  She was very dedicated to that place.  She hadn’t been up there in a while because she was unable... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcastlink, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: The Board approved the license application for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to operate a race meet in Del Mar from November 10 through December 3, plus non-racing simulcast dates. This fall meet will offer racing on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, plus Thanksgiving Day. The Board approved the license application for Watch and Wager LLC to operate a harness race meet at Cal Expo in Sacramento from November 17, 2023, through May 3, 2024. General Manager Chris Schick reported that harness racing in California is continuing its upward trend by attracting more experienced drivers and... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2023) — Del Mar will present its 10th fall racing session – dubbed the Bing Crosby Season to honor the track’s iconic founder – starting on Friday, November 10 and highlighted by a stakes schedule that features 15 major events over the course of its 13-day run. Two of the stakes races are for Golden State Series eligibles — the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for fillies and mares at seven furlongs on Sunday, Nov. 12; and the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes at seven furlongs on Saturday, Nov. 18. Topping the list of black-type tests again will be a pair of Grade I grass features – the $300,000 Hollywood Derby at nine furlongs for 3-year-olds on Saturday, December 2 and the $300,000 Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares run at a mile on closing day, Sunday, December 3. Also on the agenda are twin Grade II turf offerings for 3-year-olds and up – the $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup at the marathon distance of 12... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2023) — Four stakes for 2-year-olds – including a pair for Golden State Series eligibles at one mile – highlight the upcoming Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. The $100,000 Soviet Problem – for fillies – will be offered Sunday, Dec. 10 while the $100,000 King Glorious will be run Sunday, Dec. 17. The six-day season is scheduled to begin Friday, Dec. 8 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 17. Racing will be conducted on a Friday-Sunday basis (Dec. 8-10 and 15-17) both weeks. Post time will be 12:30 p.m. The $300,000-guaranteed Starlet, a Grade II for 2-year-old fillies, will be renewed for the 10th time at Los Alamitos Saturday, Dec. 9 one week before the Grade II, $200,000-guaranteed Los Alamitos Futurity, which was captured by Practical Move in 2022. Won a year ago by Faiza, the Starlet – like the Futurity – will be contested at 1 1/16 miles. Completing the stakes schedule is the Grade III, $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes for fillies... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Thomas Hudnut, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief: The Board allocated race dates to Northern California thoroughbreds and fairs for the first nine months of 2024, including six months to Golden Gate Fields (GGF), after industry negotiations and pending legislation prompted The Stronach Group to delay shuttering GGF until late-June 2024. Date allocations for the final quarter of 2024 will be determined at later meetings after racing fairs decide whether to request dates beyond the normal summer fair season to fill the gap created by the closure of GGF. During any weeks when there is no racing in the north, simulcast revenue will... ...

From Horse Racing Women’s Summit Press Release ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 20, 2023) — Pioneering horse racing television commentator Charlsie Cantey will be honored with the Jane Goldstein Exemplary Leadership Award at the second annual Horse Racing Women’s Summit, Sept. 27-29 at Santa Anita Park. The award is named for Jane Goldstein, ground-breaking turf publicist and California Thoroughbred Foundation Board member Jane Goldstein, who was recognized for the inaugural presentation last year. A native of North Carolina, Cantey started her career with race horses in New York after graduating from George Washington University in 1968. She worked with trainers Elliott Burch, Frank Whiteley Jr., David Whiteley, and Sidney Watters, as well as Joe Cantey after their 1969 marriage. She was persuaded by Frank Wright and Dave Johnson, co-hosts of the WOR-TV (New York) weekly racing show, to join them in 1975. Two years later she made her network debut on CBS for the Travers Stakes (G1) alongside Wright and Jack Whitaker. During nine years with CBS she originated interviews from horseback. When... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2023)—With Santa Anita’s 19-day Autumn Meet now open, the track’s popular MyRaceHorse Seabiscuit Stable Area Tram Tours will be offered each weekend.                  Tours will depart from the parking lot west of Clockers’ Corner at 9:45 a.m. Fans are advised to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure and are asked to visit santaanita.com/tramtour to see the full schedule and book a seat on the tour.  (Reservations will take priority over walk-up requests).                 For an official schedule and to book a reservation, please visit santaanita.com/tramtour                 Fans can once again visit The Great Race Place each morning free of charge seven days a week, with breakfast service available beginning at 6 a.m. at Clockers’ Corner, which is nestled at the top of Santa Anita’s legendary stretch.                 Presented by MyRaceHorse.com, the Seabiscuit Tram tours will depart from Clockers’ Corner each Saturday and Sunday at 9:45 a.m. and offer fans an “inside the ropes” experience as they... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity                ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2023)—With Santa Anita’s 19-day Autumn Meet set to open on Friday, Sept. 29, Clockers’ Corner, a popular breakfast destination for decades, will reopen to the public this Saturday, Sept. 9.  Clockers’ Corner is accessible via Gate 8 off of Baldwin Ave. and parking and admission are free each morning.                 In addition to breathtaking views and an outstanding breakfast menu, Santa Anita’s MyRaceHorse Seabiscuit Tram Tours will be available each weekend, with one tour per morning departing Clockers’ Corner at 9:45 a.m.                With the resumption of training set for this weekend as well, Santa Anita’s stable area will begin receiving a major influx of Thoroughbreds as Del Mar’s annual Summer Meet draws to a close this Sunday, Sept. 10.                Open seven days a week, Clockers’ Corner is open for food and beverage service from 6 to 10 a.m.and affords attendees spectacular early morning views of some of the nation’s top Thoroughbreds as they... ...

Press Release from The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 31, 2023) — The Jockey Club today announced the election of seven new members: Gary Fenton, Eric Gustavson, Bret Jones, Jane Lyon, Michael Mulvihill, David O’Rourke, and Mandy Pope. Fenton has been the managing partner of Little Red Feather Racing, a racing syndicate based in California, since 2005, and he is on the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and has been chairman since 2021. He began his career as an entertainment attorney for the William Morris Agency and media companies including ATG, Carsey-Werner, and AMC. Fenton grew up in Beverly Hills, California, where he attended races from an early age at Hollywood Park, Del Mar and Santa Anita, including the first Breeders’ Cup in 1984.  Gustavson joined Spendthrift in 2006, where he served as marketing director before becoming president and owner. Over the last 17 years he has overseen Spendthrift’s growth as it acquired, raced, and launched the stallion career of Into Mischief, North America’s reigning four-time Champion General Sire,... ...

Press Release from Rancho Temescal PIRU, Calif. (Aug 22, 2023)—Rancho Temescal, a leading Thoroughbred farm in Southern California, has opened the gates of its picturesque, 6,000-acre property in Ventura County to house incoming tenant Fresh Start Sport Horses, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that retrains racehorses for alternative careers under the direction of founder and head trainer Cassandra Andersson. The move to relocate all Fresh Start horses and equipment from the group’s former, 5-acre leased facility in Agua Dulce is expected to be completed by September 1, 2023. “We are honored to welcome Fresh Start Sport Horses to our farm,” said Rancho Temescal President Tim Cohen, whose family-owned racing entity of Red Baron’s Barn perennially ranks among the top winning owners at Del Mar and Santa Anita Park seasonal race meets. “My family has long operated under the philosophy of “always care” — not just “after care” — for our athletes. This exciting addition of Fresh Start and its wonderful retraining program will allow us to continue that commitment on a... ...

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 18, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the Del Mar Hilton in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Thomas Hudnut, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of the Board meeting as well as the audio for the Race Dates Committee meeting the previous day both are available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: • The Board allocated 2024 dates for Southern California racing and simulcasting. The Board agreed to defer consideration of 2024 Northern California date allocations until the September 21 meeting at Cal Expo due to the uncertainty created by The Stronach Group (TSG) announcement last month that it would permanently close Golden Gate Fields (GGF) at the end of this year. Vice Chair Gonzales, who chairs the Race Dates Committee, reported on that committee’s meeting held Wednesday at the Hilton. His lengthy report as well... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 14, 2023) — The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Horse PAC® Board Chairman Bill Farish and President Tom Rooney are pleased to announce that Stephanie Hronis has joined the Board of Directors of NTRA Horse PAC®, Thoroughbred racing’s bipartisan federal Political Action Committee. Stephanie Hronis is a prominent member of the Thoroughbred racing community. Hronis is part of the Hronis Racing ownership team, alongside her husband Kosta, his brother Pete, and their family, are part-owners of 2022 Eclipse Award-winning Horse of the Year Flightline. Additionally, she is Chairwoman of the Horse Racing Women’s Summit and a member of the Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation Advisory Board, and Shamrock Community Foundation/College + Career Planning Founder/Owner. “It is a great honor to join the NTRA Horse PAC® and to support the significant work being done to ensure the longevity of the horse racing industry,” Hronis said. “This is especially a priority during the industry’s... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2023) — Race caller Trevor Denman, who came to Del Mar in 1984 and has been the track’s voice ever since, has been named the 19th recipient of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award. He’ll be honored in that role at the shore track on Saturday, Aug. 19. The Pincay Award, named for, and presented by, the Hall of Fame rider, goes to those who have served the sport of racing “with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination and distinction.” Denman, 70, was born in South Africa and first called races as a teenager in his native land. He came to the United States in 1983 and impressed officials at Santa Anita and Del Mar with his distinctive style, so much so that he was soon working at those racetracks and rising to the top of the race announcer ranks in the United States. He worked at Santa Anita from 1983 to 2015. He has called at Del Mar from 1984 to today, his 38th... ...

From TOBA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 12, 2023) – Nick Alexander was named California Breeder of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The TOBA National Awards will consist of two days of presentations. The National Awards Dinner will be held Sept. 9 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, Ky., and the National Awards Luncheon which honors breeders from 20 states and Canada will be held Sept. 8 at WinStar Farm. The finalists for the National Owner of the Year are Peter Brant, Godolphin, Hronis Racing, Klaravich Stables, and Winchell Thoroughbreds. The three finalists for the National Breeder of the Year are Godolphin, Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, and Summer Wind Equine. Other TOBA national award winners include Dreaming of Julia , dam of Malathaat , who has been named as the National Broodmare of the Year; Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing, who will be presented with the Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year Award; Invaluable , who will be honored as Claiming Crown Horse of the Year, presented by the National... ...

From Gov. Gavin Newsom SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 11, 2023) — Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that Oscar Gonzales, of Davis, has been reappointed to the California Horse Racing Board, where he has served since 2019. Gonzales has been Vice President for Strategy at Golden State Renewable Energy since 2023. He served in the Biden Administration as Assistant Secretary of Administration at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was also a Senior Advisor on Immigration from 2021 to 2023. He was Vice President of Government Relations for Western States at Goldman Sachs from 2020 to 2021. He was Vice President of Government and Community Relations at Aura Financial Corporation from 2017 to 2020. He was a Consultant for the Cal State Los Angeles Dreamers Resource Center in 2017. Gonzales served as an Obama appointee in multiple roles at the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 2009 to 2017, including State Executive Director at the Farm Service Agency, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration,... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 10, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, August 17, 2023, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Del Mar Hilton. The CHRB Race Dates Committee will conduct an in-person meeting at the Hilton on Wednesday, August 16, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Both meetings will be open to the public. Those providing unsolicited public comments on individual agenda items will be limited to two minutes. Comments must relate specifically to the agenda items. Note that for item #14, Public Comment, on the Board agenda, and for item #3, Public Comment, on the committee agenda, no further comments will be permitted after 30 minutes. For those who do not attend, the webcast audio link on the CHRB website will provide a way to listen to the meetings. The agenda and package of materials for the Board meeting and agenda and package for the committee meeting are available on the CHRB website. ...

From TOBA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 9, 2023) — The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced Aug. 9 the election of David O’Farrell as chairman of its board of trustees. Also joining O’Farrell on the board to serve three-year terms as new members are Joe Appelbaum, Michael Banahan, Everett Dobson, Mandy Pope, and R. Glenn Sikura. Re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Shannon Arvin, Jeffrey Bloom, Marette Farrell, Brant Laue, Garrett O’Rourke, and Stephen Screnci. “It’s an honor and a privilege to lead an organization that deeply cares about the economics and integrity of horse racing on behalf of owners and breeders,” O’Farrell said. O’Farrell serves as manager for his family’s Ocala Stud, the oldest active Thoroughbred farm in Florida and one of the leading stallion, breeding, and training operations in the country.  Following its annual members meeting, the TOBA Board of Trustees met to elect officers for the association. Officers named for 2023-2024 are David O’Farrell, chairman; Everett Dobson, vice-chairman; Dan Metzger, president; Doug Cauthen, secretary; and Garrett O’Rourke, treasurer. The... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 7, 2023) — Terry Finley has been elected to the board of stewards of The Jockey Club, filling the expired position of Vinnie Viola. Ian D. Highet, a steward of The Jockey Club, was reelected to the board. Finley has been a member of The Jockey Club since 2019. He is the president and chief executive officer of West Point Thoroughbreds. Horses campaigned by the West Point partnership include 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, and grade 1 winners Awesome Gem, Flashy Bull, Macho Again, Ring Weekend, and Twilight Eclipse. Finley is chairman of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy and is on the board of directors for the Thoroughbred Charities of America and New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and on the board of trustees for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. In addition to Finley and Highet, the board of stewards consists of Barbara Banke, Dr. Larry Bramlage, Louis A. Cella, William S. Farish Jr., Stuart S.... ...

From TOC FERNDALE, Calif. (July 28, 2023) — The Thoroughbred Owners of California will hold a panel discussion titled “Essentials of Thoroughbred Ownership” at the Ferndale Fairgrounds on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 12:30 p.m. After the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A. Light snacks & beverages will be provided. Topics: Ownership Experience Acquiring Thoroughbreds Race Day Insights Horse Conformation Tips Q&A Prospective and existing owners welcome, TOC membership encouraged but not required. Parking and admission free with a CHRB license. If you have any questions, please contact Wayne Atwell at watwell@toconline.com. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 25, 2023) — Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has added two new members to its Board of Directors, it has been announced.  They are Bill Strauss, a business executive and horse owner who calls Del Mar home, and Bret Jones, the head of Airdrie Stud, a major 2,500-acre breeding operation in Midway, Ky. The pair are the first additions to the Del Mar board since three new members were brought on board in 2018. The current board consists of nine members headed by chairman David Batchelder. The two additions raised that number to 11 when they were voted in at a board meeting at Del Mar on Saturday, July 22. “We’ve made ourselves better and stronger with the addition of these two fine gentlemen,” said board member and Del Mar CEO Joe Harper. “When you can pick up a pair of individuals who love racing and have rich histories in the game like they do, it was easy to get a unanimous vote to... ...

From TOC DEL MAR, Calif. (July 23, 2023) – Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) invites all members to the Southern California Annual Meeting, to be held in the Veranda Café at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Saturday, Aug. 12, at 8:30 a.m. The general business meeting will allow directors an opportunity to bring the membership up to date on important issues and will include a question-and-answer session. Award presentations will also be made to the winners of the Chairman’s Award, annual Owner Awards, and a complimentary buffet breakfast will be served. On Sunday, Aug. 13, TOC and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club invite licensed owners to join us for an Owner Appreciation reception from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon with fellow owners, music, and food at the Plaza de Mexico Fountain (stretch run side of the grandstand) at Del Mar Racetrack. We welcome you to bring one guest. ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 30, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri and Brenda Washington Davis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: In his report to the Board, Dr. Jeff Blea, the CHRB equine medical director, advised that equine fatalities due to musculoskeletal injuries have declined by a third in FY 2022-23 (which concludes today) from the previous fiscal year. He reported on several new rules going into effect to protect horses – the latest in a long list of safety initiatives – and he credited those rules and procedures introduced at California racetracks with the decline in racing and training injuries. (The CHRB will be providing more details on FY 2022-23 fatalities in an upcoming news release.) The Board approved the license for Pacific Racing Association to run a... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 27, 2023) – The $75,000-guaranteed E.B. Johnston Stakes at one mile for California-breds or -sireds on Saturday, Sept. 16, is one of four stakes to be run during the upcoming September Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. The six-day meet is scheduled to begin Friday, Sept. 15 and continue through Sunday, Sept. 24. Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday both weeks (Sept. 15-17 and Sept. 22-24). Post time will be 1 p.m. Fillies and mares (3-year-olds & up) will get together Sunday, Sept. 17, in the $75,000-guaranteed Dark Mirage at the same distance as the Johnston. The remaining pair will be offered the final weekend. Three-year-olds & up will compete in the $75,000-guaranteed Los Alamitos Special at 1 1/16 miles Saturday, Sept. 23 and the closing day program Sunday, Sept. 24 will be headlined by the $75,000-guaranteed Capote for 2-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs. ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (June 22, 2023) – TOC’s membership elected Gary Barber, Gary Fenton, Terry Lovingier, Tim Cohen and Matt Dohman to its Board of Directors. All five were elected to three-year terms. The new board officially takes office on July 1st. A total of 5,956 ballots were mailed out to eligible voters, and 1,161 qualifying ballots were received. The complete vote tally is available for viewing on TOC’s web site at www.toconline.com. As members recognized, due to an unfortunate error, this year’s election ballots failed to designate the “incumbent” candidates in possible violation of TOC guidelines and California election laws which ensure the accurate designation of candidates in order that an informed electorate may intelligently elect one or more of the candidates. Staff and the TOC board discussed the issue with outside counsel and alerted the candidates of the error in an attempt to resolve the matter in an equitable fashion to all candidates. When no unanimous resolution could be reached between the candidates, the TOC board decided that... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (June 15, 2023) — Mike Pegram has been selected by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) to receive the 2022 Ed Friendly Industry Service Award, also known as the Chairman’s Award. The award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions and service in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Among former recipients are some of the most prominent names in California racing, including Mace Siegel, John Harris, Bob and Beverly Lewis, Jerry and Ann Moss, and Clement Hirsch.   Pegram served on the TOC board from 2010 to 2019 and as Chairman of the Board from 2012 to 2016. During his tenure as chairman, he successfully steered the organization through tumultuous times, leaving TOC in a strong operational and financial position. He was incredibly committed to the future of our racetracks, our purse structure, and the health of our sport.   In 2010, TOC successfully supported passage of SB 1072, which provided for a takeout increase with all of the additional revenue going to purses. Over the next several... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 8, 2023) — In addition to the quarterly update to its Online Fact Book, The Jockey Club today announced two new pages to the Fact Book breeding section: Number of Unique Sires by Position in the Pedigree Top Line and Percent of Mares Bred Categorized by Stallion Book Size.   “As the Thoroughbred breed registry for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, The Jockey Club strives to provide statistics that are valuable and that help shine a light on what is happening in our industry, especially with respect to breeding,” said Matt Iuliano, executive vice president and executive director of The Jockey Club.   The unique sires by position table shows the number of unique sires by position within the top line of the pedigree and enables users to drill down by year and generation. Those links provide stallion names and the number of registered Thoroughbreds for that generation’s sires on the top sire line pedigree for the registered foals of the specific year.   The... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 25, 2023) — The meeting of the California Horse Racing Board originally scheduled for June 15 in Pleasanton has been rescheduled for June 29 at Cal Expo in Sacramento. The Board meeting that was scheduled for July 13 in Sacramento has been canceled. The June 29 meeting at Cal Expo is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. The agenda and package of materials for this meeting will be posted on the CHRB website the week preceding the meeting. ...