The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), which represents the interests of horsemen at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., announced that Jeffrey A. Matty Jr. will serve as the organization's new executive director effective Jan. 1, 2022. Matty brings a diverse range of experience to the position, including serving as racing manager for Besecker Racing Stable, assistant stakes coordinator at Monmouth Park, and as a racing official with Parx Racing.
Matty will fill a vacancy left by Michael P. Ballezzi, who announced his retirement earlier this month after 25 years of leadership.
“We are thrilled to have Jeffrey Matty joining the PTHA as our new executive director,” said Salvatore DeBunda, president of the PTHA's Board of Directors. “He brings to the position a clear commitment to advocating for horsemen and a significant amount of passion and energy for our sport.”
“I'm an avid fan of racing, and being born and raised in Bensalem, I fell in love with the sport at Philadelphia Park,” said Matty. “I consider myself a Parx horseman, so, in many ways, this is like returning home. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with and advocate for the owners and trainers who make up the PTHA. I don't look at this position as a job, but as a responsibility — to do what's best for horsemen day in and day out.”
Matty has served as racing manager for Besecker Racing Stable in King of Prussia, Pa., since 2014. In his capacity, he managed more than one hundred horses at any given time that were part of the stable's portfolio, overseeing and managing results that consisted of more than 750 wins and $16.5 million in earnings. He also advised trainers on entries, nominations, and campaign outlooks, as well as assisted with purchasing broodmares, yearlings and 2-year-olds in training. In December 2019, he organized and executed the full Besecker dispersal at the Fasig-Tipton sale.
His first job in racing was as a racing official at Parx Racing, where he worked for two summers under Sal Sinatra and under the mentorship of Albert Ott. Matty then went on to work for two summers as an assistant stakes coordinator at Monmouth Park. He is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University, where he earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Management and Sports Marketing.
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