In what is presumed to be the first hire of its kind, Little Red Feather Racing (LRF), California's largest horse racing syndicate, on Tuesday announced the hiring of an independent compliance consultant to oversee all aspects of its racing and sales divisions. The consultant will ensure that LRF's trainers, veterinarians, and staffs comply within regulatory rules as well as LRF's internal policies regarding training and medication.
“Many industries have compliance managers, why not horse ownership?” said LRF Managing Partner Gary Fenton. “We want our partners to have the utmost confidence and trust that our equine athletes receive world-class care.”
“It's time we take a long hard look at everything we provide to our equine athletes,” said LRF Founder and Managing Partner Billy Koch, “Current training practices need to evolve with changing times.”
Effective immediately, Tom McCrocklin will serve as compliance consultant for the LRF team and report directly to Fenton and Koch.
Born in Baton Rouge, La., McCrocklin has an undergraduate degree from LSU and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, specializing in equine from Louisiana Tech. McCrocklin trained at east coast race tracks until 1992 where he moved to Ocala, Fla., to commence a breaking/training/sales operation, representing some of the biggest names in the industry.
McCrocklin will review veterinarian and training bills as well as regularly visit each LRF barn. He will work alongside LRF's trainers and vets to create a universal set of protocols. “Since I am a trainer and understand the culture and mentality, I look forward to working with my colleagues to create a methodology that is positive for everyone,” said McCrocklin. “Most trainers want to learn and try less medications and supplements; they just need the educational and support tools to do so.”
“Too often we hear discussion about a problem in our industry, yet rarely is there a solution posed,” said Jim Gagliano, president of The Jockey Club. “Today is not that day. We applaud LRF for taking this innovative step and showing that owners can and will take measures to ensure best practices are being met within our industry.”
Formed in 2002, LRF and its sister company Solana Beach Sales (SBS) are California's largest syndicate, managing nearly 100 horses and over 300 active partners. LRF recently concluded a record breaking summer in 2020 with 11 wins at Del Mar from its managed partnerships, including wins in the G2 Del Mar Handicap – a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In race – with Red King, and the G2 John C Mabee Stakes with Raymundos Secret. LRF campaigned Breeders' Cup Winner Singletary and G1 winners Egg Drop, Secret Spice, Fault, Mirth and stallion Midnight Storm. SBS burst onto the sales scene in 2016 and graduates include G1 winners Instilled Regard, Bast and G1 placed Anneau D'Or who finished 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at the 2019 World Championships.
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