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Racing Executive Tony Chamblin Dies

Tony Chamblin, a longtime horse racing industry executive and ambassador for the industry, passed away peacefully Sunday at his home in Lexington, Ky. He was 81.

Chamblin played an instrumental role in the passage of the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 and the Pari-Mutual Licensing Simplification Act of 1988, and later became an early supporter of federal legislation intended to align U.S. equine medication policies with International standards. He served in a number of executive capacities during his nearly 50-year career in the horse racing industry

As chief executive of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) from 1965-1983, Chamblin oversaw the only horsemen’s organization of its kind in North America. While headquartered near Washington, D.C., Chamblin played an instrumental role in the passage of the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, a bill that has generated billions of dollars in purse money for owners and trainers and racetrack operators over the past 42 years.

From 1983-86 and at the urging of local horsemen, Chamblin took the helm at Finger Lakes Racetrack in New York. During his tenure, Finger Lakes became one of the first racetracks in the nation to introduce whole card simulcasting. Chamblin also introduced twilight racing and Pick Six wagering to Finger Lakes.

From 1986-2001, Chamblin served as the chief executive of the Association of Racing Commissioners’ International (ARCI) and along the way, traveled the world promoting U.S. horse racing interests. His work took him to more than 100 racetracks in the United States and Canada. As an ambassador for racing, Chamblin was asked to speak on the industry in the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Mexico, France, the Middle East, Australia, South America, South Africa and Russia, among other countries.

Born May 15, 1939 in Flora, Illinois, Chamblin graduated from Milliken University in Decatur, Ill. before becoming the youngest sports editor in the country of a paper with over 100,000 in circulation (Evansville Courier & Press). During his early career as a sports writer and editor Chamblin won the U.S. Basketball Writers award, U.S. Football Writers award, and wrote for Sports Illustrated and Newsweek. He has written and edited four books, and also wrote the History of Thoroughbred Racing for World Book Encyclopedia.

Chamblin, who died of congestive heart failure, is survived by his wife of 31 years, Debbie; two daughters, Margaret McClintock (Tampa) and Kaitlin Chamblin (Lexington); a son, Keith (Lexington) and six grandchildren. A celebration of Chamblin’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm (www.oldfriendsequine.org).

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Retired Trainer Matt Chew To Build Equine Therapy Program For Individuals With Special Needs

Matt Chew, a third-generation horseman, bid goodbye to more than four decades as a trainer on Labor Day.

The 60-year-old grew up in the shadow of storied Santa Anita, where his father, Richard, earned his spurs. Grandfather William trained primarily in New York. Chew took out his trainer's license in 1982 on his 18th birthday and trained primarily in the Bay Area early in his career.

Now Matt hopes the future has something perhaps even more fulfilling than conditioning a Thoroughbred to win a race: helping those with special needs through programs he plans to develop.

One of countless everyday trainers who are the backbone of racing, not with abundant stakes winners but with mid-level campaigners, Chew never waivered in his philosophy: do what's right by the horse.

Matt and his wife of 35 years, Candace, purchased a home on 18 acres in Idaho north of Coeur d'Alene, about seven years ago. It has been a work in progress, and after the completion of the barn and indoor ring this fall, they will relocate their five OTTBs (off the track Thoroughbreds) and three Weimaraners to the new location overlooking Hayden Lake.

Matt's game plan is to have a safe haven for those with special needs who can benefit from the emotionally therapeutic environment the horses provide those with whom they're in contact. Additionally, there will be room for a few more retired racehorses to thrive.

One local episode graphically reveals such a healing process.

Matt tells the tale: “Pete Siberell (Director of Special Services and Community Projects) arranged for a group from Pasadena called Ability First that aided the developmentally disabled to come visit Santa Anita.

“Candie and I brought the park's mascot, Fred (one of the equine stand-ins for Seabiscuit in the movie of the same name) to the paddock one morning and we saw this young boy, maybe 11 or 12, looking at him real hard.

“I went over and handed him the shank. He took it and started walking with the horse, talking to him, telling him how pretty he was and what a great horse he was; he was having a conversation with him.

“Candie meanwhile looks over and sees three adults in the middle of the walking ring and their jaws are dropped; they look almost horrified. She realizes they are with the boy and begins to apologize.

“'I'm sorry,' she says. “My husband does these kinds of things. We really should have asked permission before he gave him the horse.'

“One of the women—it turned out to be the boy's mother—was sobbing. She finally told Candie that Austin (her son) doesn't talk. He was technically what they call non-verbal autistic.

“He had been through a traumatic incident several years back and since had not said a word—until that day.

“So winning races is great, of course, but witnessing something like this is beyond special.”

Candie is Santa Anita's dedicated and gifted Director of Print and Graphics. Both she and The Great Race Place have flourished under her astute guidance now going on three decades. Her most popular creation is the Wall Calendar, a traditional staple given to fans every Dec. 26.

The good news is, while Matt is retiring, Candie is not. “I will be working for Santa Anita as long as they will have me,” she says, “partially from Idaho, but at Santa Anita as much as I need to be.”

Candie also is President of the Board for CARMA (California Retirement Management Account), a program that has facilitated the successful efforts of the state to retrain and retire thousands of race horses in new homes. “I'm going to continue working at Santa Anita, but Matt will spearhead the operation in Idaho,” she said.

“He is excited about it. We have been planning this for a while, but it got moved up when it seemed the right time was sooner rather than later.

“Matt has a lot more experience with special needs kids than I do. He volunteered for a group in the Bay Area that had a riding program (Hippotherapy) for kids with cerebral palsy and that was a game changer.

“It gave him a new perspective and led us to eventually having a means of 'giving back.' Our plan is to have retired Thoroughbreds, with a program for PTSD-stricken vets to start, then explore what the community needs for other groups seeking equine-assisted therapy.

“It will require a lot of research and development, but it seems like the right thing to do.”

Amen.

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British Champions Day To Be Held Behind Closed Doors; Delay Of Public’s Return A ‘Serious Threat’ To Racing

Following on from the Government announcements on Tuesday, the British Champions Series is extremely disappointed to confirm that it will not be able to welcome customers to QIPCO British Champions Day on Oct. 17 as planned; this year's event will unfortunately be held behind closed doors in line with the new government policy.

All those with tickets for the day will be entitled to a full refund or the chance to roll over their ticket until QIPCO British Champions Day 2021.

The British Horseracing Authority released the following statement about the government's decision:

The delay to the public's return to sporting events is a serious blow to the horseracing industry and to the people and communities who depend upon it for their living. Our sport has worked hard with public health officials to return safely and carry out pilot events.

The exemplary response from the spectators in following the measures we put in place has shown that organised events can be run safely. We look forward to a full evaluation of the pilots and for the evidence to be used to inform future decisions about sporting events.

Despite all those efforts, our industry is now facing a severe threat. We are the second most attended spectator sport in the country. Without the millions of people who normally enjoy a day at the races, many people's jobs are at serious risk, as are the businesses they work in.

We know this is recognized from the regular discussions we have had with ministers and we thank them for their strong support in these difficult times.

We have kept the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments updated on the financial impact of COVID and the effects on the rural economies in which so many of our racing staff live and work.

We have told the UK government our racecourses were facing a loss of £250 to £300 million (approximately US$292 to US$351 million) of revenues this year, which in turn means less prize money flowing through to our participants and our owners.

We will be conducting a further economic impact assessment and will work with government to put in place financial assistance to protect livelihoods and rural communities. We were pleased to hear the Prime Minister say that the Chancellor and the Culture Secretary are working urgently to do what they can to support our sector. The Chief Executive of the BHA, Nick Rust, will attend a meeting with the Culture Secretary this afternoon.

We have worked closely with the betting industry during our safe return from lockdown.

Responsible betting is part of the fun of racing. It benefits both industries, flowing back into racing to create jobs and fund the care of horses. But British racing does not benefit to the extent of our European counterparts for structural reasons. We have seen growing signs that our best horses are being lured elsewhere by the promise of greater financial rewards. We believe the case for urgent reform has been made. This will be part of the assessment we share with government.

The Chief Executive of the BHA, Nick Rust, said today: “Racing's leaders are responding to this crisis by working together like never before. We are working to a recovery plan, but today's announcement will set back our progress. We will urge the government to provide financial support, as they have indicated they are considering, and to accept the case for urgent reform of the Levy.

“Our loyal owners and our key international investors have stood by us and we ask government to work with us to maintain that confidence in racing and in Britain.”

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Multiple Grade I Winner Bast to Be Offered at Fasig-Tipton November

Three-time Grade I winner Bast (Uncle Mo), in foal to Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy), will be offered at this year’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale through Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, who will consign the 3-year-old bay on behalf of owner Charles Chu’s Baoma Corporation.

The only three-time Grade I winning filly of her crop in the U.S., she is also the only Grade I-winning juvenile filly of that crop to add a graded stakes victory at three. Trained throughout her career by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, she established herself as the West Coast’s leading 2-year-old filly in 2019 with a powerful 8 3/4-length victory in the GI Del Mar Debutante and a wire-to-wire score in the GI Chandelier S. She was then third after setting swift fractions over a tiring Santa Anita racetrack in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Bast would conclude her two-year-old campaign with a victory in the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos, going gate to wire over off going. She then kicked off her sophomore campaign with another triumph in the seven-furlong GII Santa Ynez S. in January at Santa Anita. She retired with a record of 6-4-1-1 and $852,200 in earnings.

“Bast’s tremendous ability and gorgeous looks should make her an outstanding broodmare,” said Baffert. “I have only seen five yearling fillies at the sales that were a ‘must buy’ in my life, and she is one them. She is that beautiful.”

Bast was purchased by Baffert and agent Donato Lanni on behalf of Baoma Corporation for $500,000 at Fasig-Tipton’s 2018 Saratoga Selected Yearling Sale.

“Bast was a fantastic racemare,” said John Sikura of consignor Hill ‘n’ Dale. “Selected and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, in foal to Triple crown winner Justify, and by leading sire Uncle Mo. She is without fault and has everything a breeder desires–class, performance, and pedigree at the highest levels.”

Added Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning: “Bast is another tremendous racehorse campaigned by Charles and Susan Chu. Her brilliance on the racetrack and impeccable pedigree make her a broodmare with unlimited potential.”

For further information, contact Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm at (859) 255-8290.

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