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Stronach Group Bans Embattled Trainer Amber Cobb From Its Racetracks

Embattled trainer Amber Cobb, already suspended by the Delaware Racing Commission for her mistreatment of a filly in her barn, has been banned from training and racing at the five racetracks owned by the Stronach Group and 1/ST Racing.

Paulick Report has covered Cobb and the allegations of mistreatment since July. Read more about the Delaware Racing Commission's first hearing regarding the incident here and about the ensuing summary suspension by the Delaware Park stewards as the Commission considers additional violations here.

The Stronach Group and 1/ST Racing issued a statement this week regarding Amber Cobb on Friday:

“In August, 1/ST RACING reviewed the video of the abhorrent conduct of Amber Cobb as presented to the Delaware Stewards and we immediately elected to permanently ban her from training and racing at our facilities. Cobb's actions are completely reprehensible and are totally out of line with 1/ST's commitment to safety, integrity, and accountability. 1/ST RACING believes that the care and safety of horses is the duty of all industry stakeholders. Individuals who abuse horses have no place in racing and certainly have no place at any 1/ST RACING venue.”

The five racetracks owned by the Stronach Group include Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco, Calif., Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., and Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md.

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Gregg Colvin Named CEO Of 1/ST Content

1/ST Content, the innovative operating group for 1/ST's media and content companies, announced the appointment of senior media executive Gregg Colvin as chief executive officer.

As CEO of 1/ST Content, Gregg Colvin will work with chief operating officer Jason Wilson to further develop and support the ongoing transformation of the 1/ST Content brands into a modern and cohesive entity to attract and retain a new group of consumers.

Colvin will collaborate with Craig Fravel, Aidan Butler and the 1/ST Racing team along with Paul Williams and the 1/ST Technology team on an integrated strategy to produce and deliver new content offerings, enhanced quality of production and new simulcast distribution platforms for the company's Thoroughbred horse racing and wagering products while continuing to build competitive platforms to service customers in dynamic new ways.

“Gregg Colvin's announcement as chief executive officer of the 1/ST Content group reflects our company's on-going commitment to build forward-thinking, innovative and successful sports-anchored digital, wagering, media and entertainment companies,” said Belinda Stronach, chairman, chief executive officer and president, 1/ST. “Gregg's passion for entrepreneurship, media, commerce and technology, along with his wealth of experience in managing day-to-day operations for billion-dollar media companies and directing media strategy for Fortune 100 companies, will bring deep expertise to strengthen our content offerings as we solidify our position as North America's premier Thoroughbred horse racing content company.”

Colvin is a respected senior media executive who has served in leadership roles at leading global companies such as Fox and Universal McCann. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of 421 Media, an innovative social media firm that owns and operates hundreds of channels across Instagram and TikTok with a global audience of more than 275 million viewers. Colvin has executed ground-breaking streaming deals and led omni-channel innovations for consumer-focused brands like Sony and Fox.

Aidan Butler, who previously served as president of the 1/ST Content business unit, will continue to be involved to drive and support the synchronization and alignment of the company's horse racing and content platforms in collaboration with Colvin.

“To have Gregg, a seasoned and accomplished media executive who shares our vision for growth and innovation, as part of the 1/ST team is a huge advantage,” said Aidan Butler, chief operating officer, 1/ST Racing. “I see significant opportunities ahead and look forward to working closely with Gregg and the 1/ST Content team to reenergize our existing Thoroughbred horse racing platforms and develop the content assets of the future.”

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“I am thrilled to work with Belinda Stronach, Aidan Butler and the entire 1/ST team to establish the 1/ST Content division as the future of content platforms for Thoroughbred horse racing,” said Colvin. “This amazing team shares my passion for innovation; I'm excited to build on the company's forward-thinking approach to sports-anchored entertainment and to reimagine our content offerings as a competitive sports product for a new generation of customers and fans.”

In addition, Colvin will collaborate with Jimmy Vargas and the 1/ST Experience team to support the broadcast production and strategic execution for 1/ST's marquee events, including the Preakness Stakes and the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series.

The post Gregg Colvin Named CEO Of 1/ST Content appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Stronach Group To Ban Owners And Trainers Who Ship Horses Via Cargo Ship, Citing Welfare Concerns

1/ST Racing Chief Operating Officer Aidan Butler distributed the following letter to racing connections at facilities owned by The Stronach Group on Aug. 17. The movement of horses via cargo ship has recently become a topic of discussion in the equine welfare community, as it has been the chosen method of transport for some entities moving horses from the mainland United States to Puerto Rico.

To Our Valued Owners, Trainers and Connections,

At 1/ST RACING, one of our top priorities is to protect the welfare and safety of horses that train and race at our venues. We believe this duty of care extends to horses during their racing careers and beyond, as they leave our facilities to race and train elsewhere or to retire.

As part of 1/ST RACING's ongoing and steadfast commitment to achieving the highest standard of horse care and safety in Thoroughbred racing, we reviewed the shipment of horses via cargo ship to race and train in other parts of the world. In consultation with our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Dionne Benson, we have determined that the conditions in which these horses are transported via cargo ship are inappropriate, inhumane and represent a significant risk to their health and welfare.

Accordingly, effective immediately, any trainer or owner who is associated with shipping horses via cargo ship will no longer be welcome at any of our training or racing facilities. Trainers and owners shipping horses are responsible for performing the required due diligence to ensure horses in their care are transported in safety by humane methods.

Failure to prevent the shipping of horses via cargo ship will result in the immediate removal of the associated owner or trainer's horses from any, and all, 1/ST RACING venues.

I have communicated with the horsemen's groups in each of our jurisdictions in California, Florida and Maryland and have received their full support on this issue. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please connect with me directly via email at aidan.butler@1st.com. As industry stakeholders, it is our collective responsibility to protect these amazing athletes and we thank you for your joint commitment to their health and welfare.

–Aidan Butler

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Cargo Ship Users Banned at 1/ST Racing Venues

Aidan Butler, COO of 1/ST RACING, released a public letter to owners, trainers, and any other connections who use any 1/ST facilities, including Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, warning of a zero-tolerance policy regarding shipping horses via cargo ships. Anyone who is associated with shipping a horse in this manner will not be welcome at any 1/ST racing or training locations, with an immediate removal of all of that person's horses from 1/ST venues.

“In consultation with our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Dionne Benson,” wrote Butler, “we have determined that the conditions in which these horses are transported via cargo ship are inappropriate, inhumane and represent a significant risk to their health and welfare.”

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