The following letter from Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella is in reference to the investigation of California Horse Racing Board equine medical director Dr. Jeff Blea by the California Veterinary Medical Board and Blea being placed on administrative leave by the CHRB pending a Jan. 21 hearing.
I have known Jeff Blea for over 20 years. He became my main veterinarian, I believe in 2006, when Rick Arthur retired. I have trained racehorses since 1974 and I'm fortunate enough to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
I believe I've had some of the best veterinarians work for me starting with Jack Robbins, Rick Arthur and Joe Cannon. As they retired, Jeff Blea was next in line. I would say that Jeff is one of the best I have ever met. However that would be an afterthought compared to his integrity, honesty and desire to make racing a safer and better place.
Dr. Blea remains an outstanding ambassador to the sport. Jeff is highly educated, well experienced, honorable, and has always conducted himself so his actions align with the best interests of equine athletes. He was President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and The Southern California Equine Foundation. He has served on numerous boards, committees, aftercare programs and research foundations.
Dr. Blea always discussed and made sure I understood the plan when deciding medication, treatment or procedures with the horse's best interest in mind. This is not like small animal vets that see the patients once or occasionally. The veterinarians are here every day as well as the trainers and assistant trainers and they know the horses very well.
In a 2015 interview on I Am An Equine Veterinarian, Dr Blea said – “There's an inordinate amount of trust between a human being and a horse. I love being around horses, being outside, working with them, and working on them. The racetrack is a unique environment, and the people are what make that community so enjoyable… When I retire and look back on my career, I'd like to say I was ethical. I was honest. I did not tolerate lying. I was a good father. I was a good friend. I was a good human being…”
I would say the man I know lives this statement. He didn't just make it up.
Dr. Blea is thorough, thoughtful, scientific and ethical in his medical approach. His honor and exceptional care for equine welfare should not be in question or carelessly attacked. For a man to overcome his injuries (his left arm and hand were paralyzed from a training accident while he was a jockey in his teens) and to have the career that Jeff Blea has had, he deserves an award of some kind instead of trashing the man's life, not just his career.
– Richard Mandella, Hall of Fame trainer, Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, Calif.
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