Horse Racing | Horse Racing Free Tips

Alex Waldrop To Retire As NTRA President At End Of 2021

National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldrop announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of 2021 after 15 years at the helm of the organization.

Waldrop has had a distinguished career in the horse racing industry, serving as President of Churchill Downs and later as Chair of the equine, gaming, and entertainment practice group at the Kentucky-based law firm Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, where he served as the NTRA's general counsel before joining the organization full-time in his current role.

During Waldrop's tenure at the NTRA, the association transitioned from a member dues-driven organization into a self-sustaining, program-driven operation with more than 90 percent of the entity's revenues now derived from programs that support the industry.

Under Waldrop's leadership, the NTRA grew its footprint in Washington, D.C., solidifying its position as the industry's leading voice and the entity that represents all segments of the Thoroughbred industry on Capitol Hill. As the trade association for the Thoroughbred industry, the NTRA has focused its lobbying on legislation having a direct and material impact on its members and their business activities as they relate to horse racing, breeding and pari-mutuel wagering.

“My decision to step down at the end of this year is driven by the knowledge that the NTRA is now financially strong and strategically well positioned to lead on key issues affecting Thoroughbred racing,” said Waldrop. “It's the right time for new leadership to take the reins and lead the organization in new and exciting directions. While I will truly miss my colleagues at the NTRA, I am certain they are prepared to meet the challenges ahead. I also have great confidence in the NTRA Board to lead the organization through this time of transition.”

Throughout much of 2020, the NTRA worked to ensure that the industry was not left behind as federal lawmakers crafted numerous important pieces of economic stimulus legislation tied to COVID-19 relief. Another major focus of the NTRA over the past two years was the ultimate passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which became law in December 2020. The NTRA played a key role in bringing together various factions of the industry represented on the NTRA Board to find common ground in their support of HISA.

Support of and by horseplayers led to one of the biggest highlights during Waldrop's time at the NTRA when in 2017 the U.S. Treasury Department formally adopted modernized regulations regarding the withholding and reporting of winning pari-mutuel wagers. The new regulations were the culmination of nearly a decade of work on Capitol Hill by the NTRA, and overnight resulted in dramatically reduced reporting obligations for horseplayers and practically eliminated withholding on winning wagers, allowing horseplayers to retain more of their winnings and leading to higher pari-mutuel handle.

Waldrop also serves as President of NTRA Horse PAC®, the Federal Political Action Committee of the NTRA that has raised more than $5 million through voluntary contributions to support political parties and candidates for elective office at the federal level.

In 2008, Waldrop and the NTRA led an industry-wide effort that resulted in the creation of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, an entirely new program and self-regulatory body that for more than a decade has identified and implemented national safety and integrity standards at many of the nation's leading racetracks. Since its inception, the Alliance has helped spearhead reforms in the areas of improved medication and testing policies; guidelines for injury reporting and prevention; safety research; providing a safer racing environment; and post-racing care for retired race horses.

During Waldrop's tenure, the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship grew from an event offering just over $500,000 in prize money to one that now offers purses and awards totaling nearly $4 million.

The NTRA's group purchasing arm, NTRA Advantage, realized unparalleled success during Waldrop's tenure. Advantage surpassed $1 billion in sales to the equine industry in 2019 and has provided nearly $200 million in savings to industry participants. Longtime Advantage partner John Deere is among the industry's longest-running sponsors through its support of Churchill Downs, the Breeders' Cup and the Advantage program.

Earlier in Waldrop's career, as President of Churchill Downs racetrack, he led the effort to develop a master plan for renovation of the historic Churchill Downs, which led to a $126 million modernization of the facility and paved the way for future capital investments on the property that continue to this day.

“Alex was the right person at the time to lead the NTRA. He stabilized the organization, refocused its mission and core functions and produced results that have and will continue to benefit our industry in the future. He led the organization's unparalleled achievements in Washington, from modernizing the law governing withholding of winnings to benefit our horseplayers, to tax reform for our breeders and owners, pandemic relief for all stakeholders and safety, health and welfare standards for our equine athletes. Most importantly, through his quiet but tireless leadership, he was able to bring consensus among competing industry stakeholders for the industry's best interests during challenging times. He deserves our gratitude and respect.”

Alan M. Foreman, Chairman of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA) and the NTRA's longest serving Director.

“On behalf of the Breeders' Cup, we want to thank Alex for his time and dedication to the NTRA and the overall Thoroughbred industry, including his commitment to equine safety through the Safety and Integrity Alliance and support for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.”

Drew Fleming, President and Chief Executive Officer, Breeders' Cup and NTRA Board Director

“Under Alex's leadership, Del Mar has been a longtime supporter of all of the major NTRA programs—the Safety and Integrity Alliance, NTRA Advantage, the National Horseplayers Championship ― and the NTRA's federal legislative activities in Washington that are so vital to all segments of the horse racing industry. Each of these programs has realized sustained growth while providing ongoing value to members like Del Mar.”

Josh Rubinstein, President of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and NTRA Board Director.

The NTRA board of directors has begun a formal transition process and is conducting a search for Waldrop's successor. Interested candidates are invited to send their resume to CEOposition@NTRA.com.

The post Alex Waldrop To Retire As NTRA President At End Of 2021 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Hank Zeitlin Named Interim Executive Director Of Horseracing Integrity And Safety Authority

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (“the Authority”) board of directors announced Wednesday that Henry “Hank” A. Zeitlin will serve as Interim Executive Director of the Authority through the remainder of 2021. The board reached this decision after interviewing multiple qualified candidates nominated by racing constituencies and interested parties.

The Authority is also in the process of selecting an executive search firm to assist in undertaking a nationwide search for a permanent Executive Director to begin serving next year. Under Zeitlin's leadership, the Authority's anti-doping and medication control and racetrack safety standing committees will begin their work to establish uniform anti-doping, medication control, operational and accountability measures governing all 38 racing jurisdictions in the U.S. These proposed measures will be subject to the oversight and approval of the Federal Trade Commission.

“Hank Zeitlin's extensive background across multiple facets of the racing industry makes him an excellent addition to the Authority as we work toward a better and safer sport for all,” said Board Chair Charles Scheeler. “As we seek to engage both industry and external stakeholders for their insights and expertise on the various components of the racetrack safety and anti-doping and medication control programs, it is clear that Hank is the right fit for the role given his in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.”

Zeitlin currently serves as the executive vice president and a member of the board of directors at Thoroughbred Racing Associations, Inc., the trade association for racetracks in North America. He also serves as president and member of the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, Inc., which provides integrity services for Thoroughbred racing and wagering. Previously, Zeitlin worked at Equibase for 18 years as Executive Vice President, then President. More recently, Zeitlin served as the chief facilitator for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's (NTRA) comprehensive update to and expansion of the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance's Code of Standards. His critical role in this effort involved leading three teams of experts in establishing best practices in anti-doping and medication control, racing safety and racetrack surface maintenance.

“I'm looking forward to being a part of this exceedingly important effort to develop industry-wide safety and integrity reforms at a time when those inside and outside the industry are looking for greater transparency, increased accountability and stronger enforcement mechanisms,” said Zeitlin. “We have a lot of work to do ahead of the July 2022 program effective date, but thanks to the excellent efforts of the nominating committee and the strong baseline standards laid out in HISA, we are hitting the ground running.”

“On behalf of the Authority, I'd like to thank Hank Zeitlin for agreeing to take on this role,” said vice chair of the board of directors and former Governor of Kentucky Steve Beshear. “An effort of this magnitude requires experienced and dedicated leadership at every level, starting at the top.”

Further questions and/or interview requests can be submitted to HISAuthorityUS@gmail.com.

The post Hank Zeitlin Named Interim Executive Director Of Horseracing Integrity And Safety Authority appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Denise Martin, Co-Owner Of California Chrome, Dies At Age 61

It is with great sadness that Martin Racing announces the passing of Denise Martin, the co-founder, and heart, of Martin Racing, a Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding and racing organization based in Alpine, Wyo., with global equine holdings. The accomplished chemist, business leader, horse owner and mother to two died on June 14 at age 61.

With her husband and co-founder Perry serving as the public voice and operations manager for Martin Racing, Denise took on the critical role of managing all communications and behind-the-scenes business needs for the small, family-owned organization, which was founded in 2016.

The Martins were thrust into worldwide fame in 2014, when their wildly popular and charismatic colt California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby and the first of his two Eclipse Award titles as North America's Horse of the Year. The California-bred superstar, whom the Martins co-bred and initially raced in partnership with Steve and Carolyn Coburn under the stable name Dumb Ass Partners, also won the 2016 Dubai World Cup and eight additional graded stakes races before he retired in 2017 with earnings of $14,752,650 — a North American record at the time.

California Chrome's storybook success enabled Martin Racing to expand internationally. In addition to supporting their first homebred via stallion syndicate participation, originally in Kentucky and now in Japan, the Martins currently stand Thoroughbred stallions in California, Louisiana and Wyoming, and the Hambletonian-winning Standardbred sire Trixton in Canada.

Their homebred colt Mo Mosa won Lone Star Park's Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile Stakes on May 31.

“Denise greatly enjoyed interacting with racing fans, whether she communicated with them in person or through California Chrome's official social media channels,” said Perry Martin. “She also was solely responsible for all of Martin Racing's charitable giving endeavors.”

A trained chemist and California State University graduate, Denise was CEO of Martin Testing Labs in Sacramento, Calif., from its creation in 2000 to its sale in June 2020. She previously worked for the United States Air Force as a civilian employee at McClellan Air Force Base.

In semi-retirement, the Chicago native served her adopted Wyoming community on the North Alpine Water District Board of Directors. She also recently began taking online university courses on Astronomy, and was building a telescope to view the clear Wyoming night sky.

Denise is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Perry, her daughter Kelly Martin, her son Perry Martin Jr., her brothers Andrew Brudniak and Richard Brudniak, her Golden Retriever Tizzy, 76 Thoroughbred horses and seven Standardbred horses.

The post Denise Martin, Co-Owner Of California Chrome, Dies At Age 61 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Fasig-Tipton Adds Broodmare Dispersal To Upcoming July Sales; Will Accept Additional Breeding Stock Entries

Fasig-Tipton has added a breeding stock dispersal to its upcoming July sales schedule in Lexington, Kentucky.

The company will offer 18 mares as part of the Far From Over/Fountain of Youth Dispersal, with consignor Stuart Morris acting as agent for the dispersal.

The group of mares are property of a partnership supporting young stallion Far From Over. The graded stakes-winning son of Blame, out of Alchemist, had been standing at stud in California before suffering a pelvis injury early in this year's breeding season that took him out of service for 2021. The remainder of the mares that were not bred to him were then shipped back to Kentucky and bred to Kentucky stallions, and due to the circumstances, the partnership has opted to disperse all its of holdings.

All mares offered are in foal to Connect, Far From Over, or Violence. They will be sold with their 2021 foals at their sides, which are by Catalina Cruiser, Enticed, Good Magic, Honor Code, Laoban, Oscar Performance, Violence, and Yoshida. All foals were born in Kentucky or California.

With the addition of this dispersal, Fasig-Tipton will now accept additional approved broodmares and broodmare prospects. The dispersal and additional breeding stock entries will be offered in a separate session and catalog – named July Breeding Stock – prior to the start of the July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale on Monday, July 12.

Fasig-Tipton will accept breeding stock entries over the next few weeks. The catalog will go online and in the equineline sales catalogue app on July 1. Print catalogs will be available on-site at Fasig-Tipton at sale time.

“This dispersal offers buyers a quality group of mares, with well-bred foals at foot,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “It also allows us to open up broodmare and broodmare prospect entries to other prospective sellers that may prefer to sell now, instead of waiting for the fall breeding stock sales. It creates a unique mid-summer buying opportunity for breeders.”

Browning continued: “We have considered adding a breeding stock element to July for many years, and this year's session will be a good barometer to see if there is viable market for broodmares in July going forward.”

The mares and foals will sell on Monday, July 12, prior to the start of the July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale which will also be conducted that day. The next day, on Tuesday, July 13, Fasig-Tipton will conduct The July Sale of Selected Yearlings.

The post Fasig-Tipton Adds Broodmare Dispersal To Upcoming July Sales; Will Accept Additional Breeding Stock Entries appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post