Amplify Horse Racing Launches Mentorship Program

Amplify Horse Racing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to amplify education and careers in the Thoroughbred industry, has launched a mentorship program aimed at pairing young adults with Thoroughbred industry professionals.

The objectives of the program are to improve accessibility into the Thoroughbred industry, and develop understanding of what it is like to work in the sport by leveraging the passion, knowledge and experience of current industry professionals.

The initial pilot program will facilitate 10 mentor-mentee pairings through two mentorship approaches:

  • In-Person: Five mentees based in Kentucky will be selected and paired with mentors who work in the state. This pilot will focus on in-person meetings and engagement.
  • Virtual: Five mentees will be selected from anywhere in the U.S. and paired with suitable mentors. These pairs will meet virtually, removing geographic or transportation barriers that could limit interested young adults from connecting with the Thoroughbred industry.

The Amplify Horse Racing Mentorship Program is open to individuals aged 18-22, who demonstrate a desire to learn and a strong interest in working in the Thoroughbred industry. There are no restrictions based on academic achievement or Thoroughbred industry experience.

The initial mentorship program, which Amplify Horse Racing is using as a pilot, will take place from August through October 2021. Upon completion of the program, feedback will be gathered from participants to assess the viability of offering the program multiple times annually and including youth mentees.

“Ever since Amplify Horse Racing started in 2019, the goal of its founders and early supporters has been to offer a mentorship program,” says Annise Montplaisir, president of Amplify Horse Racing and equine education coordinator for the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP). “Getting involved in the Thoroughbred industry can feel like a winding path without a clear first step. Throughout Amplify's growth and assessment of how best to recruit newcomers, it has become evident that mentorship has had an important role in getting many young professionals and industry leaders involved in the sport. We hope that through the creation of a formal program, we can make that process easier for others.”

Mentorship program applications are available at amplifyhorseracing.org/mentorship. For more information or to learn how you can become a mentor, contact Annise Montplaisir at info@amplifyhorseracing.org.

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Legislative Committee Formed To Assess Tax Structure Of Historical Horse Racing

Sen. Damon Thayer and Rep. Adam Koenig have been appointed co-chairs of the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force, which will study the taxes and rates related to horse racing, the impact that changing the rates would have, and the funds relating to the horse industry which receive historical horse racing tax receipts, eventually determining if any changes to those tax rates should be made.

Thayer is the Senate majority leader and a former racing executive, while Koenig sponsored the bill in the House clarifying the legal status of HHR machines.

Other members of the committee include: Julie Raque Adams, Christian McDaniel, Stephen West, Jonathan Dixon, Al Gentry, Matthew Koch, and Jason Petrie.

The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky's equine economic advocate, released the following statement on the appointment of the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force:

“The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) commends the appointment of the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force, the first step in ensuring an equitable tax rate for historical horse racing (HHR) that will result in increased revenue for the state and promote continued growth for Kentucky's nation-leading horse industry.

“During the legislative session when the preservation of HHR was discussed, Kentucky's horse industry pledged to work with the legislature to assess the tax structure of HHR, how those funds are allocated, what the impact would be on the industry and Kentucky's economy if the tax rates are changed, and determine if any changes should be made to the existing structure.

“KEEP stands ready to work with the Task Force and be part of the conversation on HHR to ensure that entire horse industry – all breeds and disciplines – continues to see benefit from HHR through incentive funds and other state programs. Additionally, it is paramount that changes to the tax structure of HHR are not detrimental to the horse industry's 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and its $6.5 billion impact on Kentucky's economy. KEEP looks forward to working closely with the Task Force to accomplish these goals.

“KEEP extends its gratitude to Representative Matt Koch and Representative Ruth Ann Palumbo for their legislative efforts to establish this Task Force.”

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Taxation Task Force to Look at HHR Rates

A Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force has been established in the Kentucky General Assembly to “study the taxes and rates related to horse racing, the impact that changing the rates would have, and the funds relating to the horse industry which receive historical horse racing tax receipts [and] determine if any changes should be made.” The task force will be co-chaired by Kentucky State Senator Damon Thayer and House of Representatives member Adam Koenig.

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) issued a statement in support of the action Tuesday:

“The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) commends the appointment of the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force, the first step in ensuring an equitable tax rate for historical horse racing (HHR) that will result in increased revenue for the state and promote continued growth for Kentucky's nation-leading horse industry.

“During the legislative session when the preservation of HHR was discussed, Kentucky's horse industry pledged to work with the legislature to assess the tax structure of HHR, how those funds are allocated, what the impact would be on the industry and Kentucky's economy if the tax rates are changed, and determine if any changes should be made to the existing structure.

“KEEP stands ready to work with the Task Force and be part of the conversation on HHR to ensure that entire horse industry – all breeds and disciplines – continues to see benefit from HHR through incentive funds and other state programs. Additionally, it is paramount that changes to the tax structure of HHR are not detrimental to the horse industry's 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and its $6.5 billion impact on Kentucky's economy. KEEP looks forward to working closely with the Task Force to accomplish these goals.

“KEEP extends its gratitude to Representative Matt Koch and Representative Ruth Ann Palumbo for their legislative efforts to establish this Task Force.”

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Case Clay, David Ingordo Added To Leadership Of Kentucky Equine Education Project

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), Kentucky's equine economic advocate, announced the new leadership of KEEP's Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors unanimously approved the promotion of Case Clay to become the Board's Chairman. David Ingordo was unanimously approved to become the Board's Vice Chairman. Clay and Ingordo replace Doug Cauthen and Ken Jackson, who will both continue serving on the KEEP Board. Additionally, Courtney Schneider was added to the Board of Directors.

Clay is the Chief Commercial Officer of Three Chimneys Farm. Ingordo is the owner of Ingordo Bloodstock. Schneider is the Director of Sales at Shawhan Place and is the current President of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club.

Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP's Executive Vice President who oversees the daily operations of the organization, commented, “I am thrilled to have Case and David taking on the leadership roles of the KEEP Board. Doug and Ken did an incredible job over the past three years, shepherding KEEP through an evolution that led to our investment in workforce development and our recent legislative successes in Frankfort. I know that Case and David will build on this success and take KEEP to even great heights.”

Clay added:: “I am very excited to continue working with the staff and the Board at KEEP and building on the momentum that we have at the moment as a result of tackling the challenges we recently faced with historical horse racing. I was encouraged to see the industry come together for the greater good in a short amount of time. I think we have opportunities ahead of us with regard to growing our relationships in Frankfort, as well as engaging and including all horse breeds and disciplines in the Commonwealth.”

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