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Colonial Downs, Jockeys’ Guild Join In Industry Partnership Agreement

The Jockeys' Guild and Colonial Downs Group announced today they have entered into a long-term industry partnership agreement. Under the terms of the multi-year deal, Colonial Downs® will contribute to the Guild to help subsidize health insurance, life insurance and temporary disability benefits for members who regularly ride at Colonial Downs®, as well as benefits for all jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild and ride in the United States.

Terry Meyocks, President & CEO of the Jockeys' Guild, said, “We truly appreciate our partnership with Colonial Downs® to assist in providing these important benefits for our members. Their on-going efforts to provide a safe racing environment for everyone, as well as this agreement, reinforces the commitment of Colonial Downs® to work together for the betterment of our sport.”

“We sincerely appreciate Colonial Downs® and their support of the Guild and its members,” said Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, Co-Chairman of the Jockeys' Guild. “They believe in a safe racing environment and our members recognize and appreciate these efforts.”

“The safety of both jockeys and equine athletes is a priority at Colonial Downs®,” said Jill Byrne, Vice-President of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs Racetrack. “Our riders continually compliment the integrity of our surfaces and our proven safety record. This partnership acknowledges and further solidifies our long-term commitment to the horse racing industry.”

“Horse racing is the centerpiece of our business in Virginia and the revival of it can only continue with the support of the industry participants, including the jockeys,” said John Marshall, Executive Vice President of Operations for Colonial Downs Group. “We are honored to have partnered with the Guild as we keep our commitment to building Colonial Downs® into one of the country's premier race meets. This agreement can be a shining example for those in the industry sharing the common interest of improving the integrity of horse racing.”

For more information on Colonial Downs® and the Jockeys' Guild visit:

https://www.colonialdowns.com/racing/

http://www.jockeysguild.com

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Williams Named Colonial Safety Officer

Rick Williams has been named Safety Officer for Colonial Downs, it was announced Tuesday. Williams will begin his role when the Colonial backside opens up July 5 ahead of its summer race meet, which kicks off July 19. Williams has a diverse racing background that includes stints as a groom, jockey agent, and in several front side departments including photo finish, mutuels and track maintenance. Before retiring in 2012, he spent his prior 15 years in a regulatory position with both the Ohio and Kentucky Racing Commissions and was involved in the Breed Development Fund in both states.

“I learned something at every stop along the way,” said Williams. “In regulatory roles, I served on a lot of committees that addressed rules, safety and medication issues. I really enjoyed that part of it–digging into the rule book and making changes that helped better the game. In Ohio for instance, we came up with a process of reviewing the rule book annually–to take a chapter each year and tear it apart. Of all the things l've done, that aspect made me feel best–the process itself of a project I was working on.”

Jill Byrne, Colonial's VP of Operations, said, “Rick will be another set of eyes, watching horses in the barns, on the track, and reporting to track management with something that may not look up to our standards, the safety and integrity and care of horses and the horsemen that we expect. He'll also work with Dr. Caruthers (VRC Equine Medical Director) in assisting her and her veterinary team as well as the stewards and racing office.”

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Nominations Open For Sixth Annual TIE Awards

Nominations for the 2021 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA) opened June 7 and will close Monday, Aug. 2.

Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin is the principal sponsor of the awards in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA), the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) and Breeders' Cup. Godolphin sponsors the Stud and Stable Staff Awards in England, Ireland, France and Australia.

While the 2020 TIE Awards ceremony took place virtually, a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year's ceremonies are planned as an in-person event in October hosted by Keeneland. Jill Byrne will serve as the master of ceremonies.

This year's award categories will reflect a few changes. First, there will now be one overall “Leadership Award,” combining the previously separated leadership awards in both breeding and racing. Second, a new category, the “Support Services Award,” has been added to reward an individual who works in any non-administrative, support service role in the Thoroughbred industry. Eligible candidates for this award include, but are not limited to: sales positions; auctioneers; gardeners; veterinary practices; farriers; starting gate crew; horse transport; grounds staff at sales companies, farms or racetracks; valets; horse dentists; physiotherapists; etc.

Churchill Downs, Hallway Feeds, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, I Am Horse Racing, along with Keeneland, will each be sponsoring an award this year.

This year's TIE Awards will offer total prize money of $122,000. The awards will be held in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion Friday, Oct. 15. For more information and to nominate online, please visit www.tiea.org.

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Colonial Downs Meet to Begin July 19

A total of 25 stakes races worth more than $2.7 million will be offered at the upcoming seven-week Thoroughbred racing season at Colonial Downs–from July 19 through Sept. 1–featuring a minimum $500,000 in average daily purses and the GIII $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby Aug. 31.

The 2021 meeting will be scheduled every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with daily first post time at 1:45 p.m. ET. All Colonial Downs races will be televised on TVG.

Colonial Downs welcomes back fans to this year's 21-day meeting with free admission.

“Since we announced our race dates and purse program for the 2021 season, response from horsemen across the country has been extremely positive,” said Jill Byrne, Vice President of Racing Operations. “Our lucrative daily purse structure, attractive horsemen incentives, two fantastic racing surfaces and a varied stakes program, are key ingredients to launching an exciting and successful race meet. We are also very excited that this year's meet is open again to fans, who can enjoy the thrill of the live racing experience.”

Frank Petramalo, Virginia HBPA Executive Director, added, “Virginia's horse owners and trainers are delighted to see an increase to seven weeks of racing with great purses. We can't wait to break out of the gate for a successful summer meet.”

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