Response to Jason Litt From KTA President Braxton Lynch

(Editor's note: the following is a response to the letter to the editor sent to the TDN by Jason Litt)

The KTA is run by a volunteer board of industry professionals. To become a director of the KTA you have to be chosen by your peers and voted in by the likes of those same peers. Obviously Jason Litt did just that, and we are all thankful for his time served on the KTA Board of Directors. Jason's 'why' has never been in question. He is a tremendous judge of horses and has made a career of helping his clients reach the pinnacles of racing. We wish him nothing but the best and continued success for him and his team. In fact, that is our 'why' at the KTA. Our board of directors work tirelessly to ensure that there is an industry for us all to participate in. Our actions are based on a collective consensus of the board as a whole, and not on the thoughts of any one individual board member. We will continue to work with the coalition that is fighting to keep HHR in Kentucky.

Braxton Lynch, President, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association

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Jason Litt: Why I Left the KTA

It's no secret the horse industry is struggling. But like any good optimist, I'm always open to new ideas. I recently read Simon Sinek's book, Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. The oversimplified concept of the book is how understanding your 'why' can contribute to your success.

This is my 'why' I chose a career in horse racing.

I love horses. From the unbelievable softness of a newborn foal to the rippling musculature of a stallion, they are majestic.

As an agent, breeder and owner, I enjoy being a custodian of the breed–a breed of horse that's over 300 years old, a breed that is noble, intelligent, honest and highly competitive. I often remind myself that it's a privilege, not a right, to be a part of the Thoroughbred horse racing industry. I've been fortunate over the last 20 years to work with amazingly talented horses, including some champions. I love the notion that 50 years from now, some of the horses I've been involved with may continue to have an impact on the breed.

I love competition. In 1999, I visited Keeneland for the first time for the September yearling sale with my father, Howard Litt. My father loved the sport. He loved the Damon Runyon-style characters that exist in every racetrack ecosystem, and he loved the mental gymnastics required in handicapping and athleticism of the horses. He sparked my competitive spirit when he made the statement as we were watching horses go through the ring, “Wouldn't it be cool if out of all of these horses you could pick a good one?”

Simply put, horse racing is hard. The lows of the game can deflate the most optimistic of individuals. We've all experienced hot nails, quarter cracks, spiked temps, colic, skin disease and failed fence jumpers, yet we are all bound by our persistence, determination and staying power. There is nothing more gratifying and fulfilling than winning a race and sharing that sense of accomplishment with a group of owners, friends and colleagues. Watching the replay on a continuous loop and recapping every nuance of the race with anyone that will listen isn't bad, either.

I hope you have an understanding of my 'why.' When I joined the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association three years ago, I was open-minded and excited about making a difference. Unfortunately, the gap between my 'why' and that of the KTA is too large to bridge, and therefore I am stepping down as a Director and making my reasons public. It's never too late to learn from our mistakes, hold people accountable for their actions or lack thereof and to embrace bold ideas.

Unfortunately, the recent events regarding HHR show how unprepared the organization has been to address an issue that has been working through the courts for over seven years. There is no disputing how important the revenue from HHR has become to the health of our industry. It is the KTA's role that all members in the assembly understand and appreciate the importance of our industry to both Kentucky's economy and image. The fact that there has never been a successfully organized KTA effort to educate legislators or develop a plan to support the election of legislators that will have a favorable perception of our industry is shocking.

I can no longer in good faith be associated with an organization that has been caught so unprepared to take a stand to protect the Kentucky Thoroughbred and all the jobs associated with this industry.

Sincerely,

Jason Litt

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Letters to the Editor: Shannon B. Arvin

To our loyal horsemen, partners, employees and fans,

On behalf of Keeneland and the broader Kentucky equine community, we are reaching out to you today to ask for your help.

Historical horse racing (HHR) fuels Kentucky's signature horse industry, strengthens purse money for racing, provides valuable jobs and generates millions in tax revenue to benefit investments across the Commonwealth.

A recent Kentucky Supreme Court ruling has put the future of historical horse racing, and therefore the health of Kentucky's equine industry, in jeopardy, causing Keeneland and Red Mile to temporarily close the historical horse racing operations at Red Mile Gaming & Racing.

We are hopeful the Kentucky legislature will provide a remedy to save the many jobs and millions in tax revenue and purse enhancements, but we need your help for this solution to become a reality.

You can assist our efforts by reaching out to your representatives in the Kentucky legislature and urging them to support the engine that drives the Commonwealth's economy: the horse industry.

Here's How to Help:

1. Contact your representative by clicking this link.

2. Ask them to keep HHR in Kentucky to protect valuable jobs and our signature equine industry.

3. Encourage them to make regulatory changes that allow HHR facilities to continue operations.

4. Let them know what Keeneland means to you!

Keeneland is grateful for your support and action in saving historical horse racing.

Shannon B. Arvin
Keeneland President & CEO

Editor's Note: This letter was issued as a press release on behalf of Keeneland.

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Letters to the Editor: Despite COVID, British Racing’s Success

There is much to be negative about with British racing but occasionally we should acknowledge and celebrate success. During this terrible year of Covid, racing’s rulers should be celebrated for what they have achieved and what has been saved.

Our great sport was back behind closed doors and handled the health implications effectively. The stud season took place with mares covered and the business uninterrupted.

The icing on the cake must surely be the remarkable resilience of the Tattersalls sales which ran in Newmarket on their original dates. To the best of our knowledge the December Sales ran without any outbreak of covid amongst the participants.

We should applaud Tattersalls for going the extra mile, the Maktoum family for their support, Government for recognising our importance as an international business as well as a great sport, but most of all our hard-working staff who kept the show on the road.

Well done ITV on spreading the message and pleasures of British Horse Racing. Let us hope that in 2021 the BHA can finally persuade Government that a properly funded industry can be for the benefit of all including bookmakers and the taxpayer.

Yours sincerely,

The Hon Peter Stanley      &      Simon Marsh
Manager, New England Stud    General Manager, Watership Down & Kiltinan Castle Studs

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