michael p. ballezzi | Horse Racing Free Tips

Pennsylvania’s Michael P. Ballezzi Passes Away

Michael P. Ballezzi, who retired last year after 25 years as executive director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31.

“We've lost not only a great horseman, but also a great friend and leader,” said PTHA board of directors president Salvatore DeBunda. “Mike dedicated 25 years of his life to championing the well-being and care of equine athletes, as well as championing the interests of horsemen at Parx Racetrack and across Pennsylvania. When he retired, Mike left behind an incredible legacy at the PTHA.”

A graduate of Widener Law School, an attorney, and a District Justice in Pennsylvania, Ballezzi's contributions to Pennsylvania racing were extensive. He was instrumental in the passage of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, which legalized slot machines in the Commonwealth and set aside a percentage of the revenues for purses, breeding incentives, and health and pension benefits; advocated for Parx Racing backstretch improvements; and helped start Turning for Home, the non-profit track-based racehorse retirement program that has placed more than 3,200 horses. He also created The Granny Fund, which provides scholarships to Parx stable employees to continue their education in college and night classes.

Ballezzi had been a licensed Thoroughbred owner since 1973 and was also a former trainer. He served as a member of the national Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA) board of directors and was recognized in 2020 for outstanding service to the racing industry. He was honored in 2019 by Parx with the naming of the M.P. Ballezzi Appreciation Mile. Ballezzi was named 2008 PTHA Man of the Year and was inducted into the Parx Racing Hall of Fame in 2014.

“Mike Ballezzi's impact on Pennsylvania racing, horsemen, and our retired race horses will live on for many years to come,” said Jeffrey Matty, executive director of the PTHA. “But his impact extends far beyond the policies and programs he championed. He touched so many people on and off the track on a personal level, and that may be his greatest legacy.”

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Matty Named Executive Director Of Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), which represents the interests of horsemen at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., announced that Jeffrey A. Matty Jr. will serve as the organization's new executive director effective Jan. 1, 2022. Matty brings a diverse range of experience to the position, including serving as racing manager for Besecker Racing Stable, assistant stakes coordinator at Monmouth Park, and as a racing official with Parx Racing.

Matty will fill a vacancy left by Michael P. Ballezzi, who announced his retirement earlier this month after 25 years of leadership.

“We are thrilled to have Jeffrey Matty joining the PTHA as our new executive director,” said Salvatore DeBunda, president of the PTHA's Board of Directors. “He brings to the position a clear commitment to advocating for horsemen and a significant amount of passion and energy for our sport.”

“I'm an avid fan of racing, and being born and raised in Bensalem, I fell in love with the sport at Philadelphia Park,” said Matty. “I consider myself a Parx horseman, so, in many ways, this is like returning home. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with and advocate for the owners and trainers who make up the PTHA. I don't look at this position as a job, but as a responsibility — to do what's best for horsemen day in and day out.”

Matty has served as racing manager for Besecker Racing Stable in King of Prussia, Pa., since 2014. In his capacity, he managed more than one hundred horses at any given time that were part of the stable's portfolio, overseeing and managing results that consisted of more than 750 wins and $16.5 million in earnings. He also advised trainers on entries, nominations, and campaign outlooks, as well as assisted with purchasing broodmares, yearlings and 2-year-olds in training. In December 2019, he organized and executed the full Besecker dispersal at the Fasig-Tipton sale.

His first job in racing was as a racing official at Parx Racing, where he worked for two summers under Sal Sinatra and under the mentorship of Albert Ott. Matty then went on to work for two summers as an assistant stakes coordinator at Monmouth Park. He is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University, where he earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Management and Sports Marketing.

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PTHA’S Ballezzi Retires After 25 Years

After 25 years on the job, Michael P. Ballezzi is calling it quits as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. Since taking the reins in 1996 as executive director, Ballezzi has been a champion of the sport, its horsemen, and equine athletes while spearheading programs which would ultimately become the model for industry-wide change in equine aftercare. His most successful efforts include establishing the Horsemen's Purchasing Association, providing bedding, feed, supplements, and equipment at discounted prices on the backstretch at Parx; developing Turning for Home in May 2008, which garnered national acclaim thanks to an HBO feature on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel; and the creation of The Granny Fund, which provides scholarships to Parx stable employees to continue their education in college and night classes.

On a larger scale, Ballezzi played an integral role in shaping Pennsylvania's horse racing industry through fierce advocation for the passing of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. The legislation legalized slot machines and provided a percentage of the revenue to bolster racing purses and breeding incentives. Following the legalization of slot machines, he played an instrumental role in negotiations with Parx management that culminated with the track rebuilding all existing barns, and renovating all existing dorm rooms with heat and A/C, new wiring, and secured windows and doors. Ballezzi prioritized strong health insurance policies for eligible horsemen including emergency room visits, hospitalization, doctor's visits, a prescription plan, vision and dental care, and life insurance.

“Mike Ballezzi has had an immense impact on Parx and Pennsylvania racing, and he has created a legacy that will benefit horsemen, backstretch workers, and our equine athletes for years to come,” said Salvatore DeBunda, President of the PTHA Board of Directors. “Mike dedicated the past 25 years of his life to championing the interests of those who work in our industry and fighting to create a fair and level playing field for all horsemen. On behalf of the PTHA Board and the horsemen at Parx, I thank Mike Ballezzi for his unwavering commitment to horsemen and his leadership in our industry.”

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Longtime PTHA Executive Director, Aftercare Advocate Ballezzi To Step Down

Michael P. Ballezzi will be stepping down at the end of the year as executive director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, which represents the interests of horsemen at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa. Although he is retiring as executive director after 25 years of leadership, Ballezzi will continue to serve as a consultant to the PTHA.

Since becoming executive director of the PTHA in February 1996, Ballezzi has played an integral role in shaping Pennsylvania's horse racing industry. He, along with PTHA president Salvatore DeBunda, were fierce advocates for passage of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 71 of 2004). The legislation legalized slot machines in the Commonwealth and set aside a percentage of the revenues to bolster racing purses and breeding incentives, as well as provide health and pension benefits to individuals in the racing industry.

Driven by the enormous respect he holds for race horses, Ballezzi championed the creation of Turning for Home in May 2008, a non-profit program that has provided more than 3,200 former Parx race horses with new homes and careers after their racing careers have ended. The program was featured on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel as an alternative to slaughter and earned widespread recognition as a model program for the industry. The goal of Turning for Home has been a personal priority for Ballezzi and, after it was founded, the PTHA implemented a zero-tolerance policy toward former Parx horses being sold at slaughter auctions.

“We owe it to these horses to help them find new careers and new purpose after they leave the sport of racing,” said Ballezzi.

Ballezzi's legacy will long be remembered at Parx as well. He created the Horsemen's Purchasing Association that provides horsemen with bedding, feed, supplements and equipment at supply-discounted prices on the backstretch of the track. In 2000, he spearheaded the creation of The Granny Fund — named in honor of Catherine “Granny” Youmans, the mother of PTHA office manager and long-time personal secretary to Ballezzi, Connie Youmans – which provides scholarships to Parx stable employees to continue their education in college and night classes.

Following the legalization of slot machines, Ballezzi played an instrumental role in negotiations with Parx Racing management regarding increased capital investments in the backstretch that included rebuilding all of the existing barns and renovating all existing dorm rooms with heat and A/C, new wiring, and secured windows and doors. He also prioritized putting in place strong health insurance policies for eligible horsemen that include emergency room visits, hospitalization, doctor's visits, prescription plan, vision and dental care, and life insurance.

“Mike Ballezzi has had an immense impact on Parx and Pennsylvania racing, and he has created a legacy that will benefit horsemen, backstretch workers, and our equine athletes for years to come,” said DeBunda. “The Turning for Home Program he created showed incredible vision and a commitment to the health and well-being of our retired racehorses. Mike dedicated the past 25 years of his life to championing the interests of those who work in our industry and fighting to create a fair and level playing field for all horsemen. On behalf of the PTHA Board and the horsemen at Parx, I thank Mike Ballezzi for his unwavering commitment to horsemen and his leadership in our industry.”

A graduate of Widener Law School, Ballezzi is an attorney and previously served as a District Justice in Delaware County, Pa., from 1983-1998. He has been a licensed Thoroughbred owner since 1973, is a former trainer, and currently races under the name of Balmora Farm. He was named 2008 PTHA Man of the Year and he was inducted into the Parx Racing Hall of Fame in 2014.

Ballezzi not only served as executive director of the PTHA but also was elected nine times as owner/director of the PTHA Board of Directors. He also served as a member of the national THA Board of Directors and was recognized in 2020 by the national Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association for outstanding service to the racing industry. He also is a member of the Parx Mortality Review Board. He was honored in 2019 by Parx when they named the M.P. Ballezzi Appreciation Mile in recognition of his service to all horsemen and women who are Parx racing.

The PTHA will be interviewing potential candidates for the executive director position over the course of the next few weeks.

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