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‘Truth To Power’: Racing Biz Launches Virtual Series On Race, Social Justice In Thoroughbred Industry

The Racing Biz, LLC, a media company focused on Thoroughbred racing and breeding in the mid-Atlantic region, has partnered with freelance journalist Teresa Genaro and NTRA Director of Communications Alicia Hughes to launch a series of digital panel discussions designed to tackle issues of diversity and inclusion within the Thoroughbred industry.

The series, titled “Truth to Power,” will bring together various participants within the racing realm to share their perspectives on racial, gender, and social inequality and how it impacts the sport as a whole. In addition to featuring industry stakeholders, the multi-part series will also seek out diversity experts from other sports to help illustrate why greater inclusion is crucial for any business seeking sustainable growth.

The first panel will take place on February 24 at 5 p.m. ET and is set to feature noted bloodstock agent Greg Harbut, a third-generation horseman, and his business partner, Lexington-based entrepreneur Ray Daniels, to discuss their experience as Black owners in the racing and their non-profit the Ed Brown Society, which is working to create opportunities for people of color in the Thoroughbred industry through scholarships, internships, and apprenticeships.

“As a biracial female working in the Thoroughbred industry, the issue of diversity – specifically the lack thereof in this sport – is a deeply personal one for me,” Hughes said. “I am hoping we can further enlighten aspiring allies while holding industry leaders accountable to have their practices match their statements denouncing systemic injustice.”

In addition to Harbut and Daniels, the panel will also feature an interview with Rose Grissell, head of Diversity and Inclusion for the British Horseracing Authority, which has had a Diversity in Racing Action plan in place since 2018.

“With each passing year, the United States becomes a more multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural society,” said Frank Vespe, owner and publisher of The Racing Biz. “The future of the Thoroughbred industry here will depend in no small part on its ability to adapt to that changing landscape and to speak to, and most importantly, listen to, people of all races and ethnicities.”

“The racing industry has been slow to become more inclusive and equitable,” Genaro said. “The sport could not survive without the labor of people of color, yet their voices are seldom part of the big conversations about its future. Increasing the participation of people of color and of women, on boards, in offices, and as customers, is an essential step in the industry's growth.”

The panel will be streamed on both The Racing Biz website (www.theracingbiz.com) and social media platforms @TheRacingBiz as well as on the NTRA's Twitter account @NTRA.

Tentative dates for future panels include March 17 and April 7, both at 5 p.m. ET.

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Can Foals With Septic Arthritis Go On To Successful Racing Careers?

Drs. Thomas O'Brien, Sarah Rosanowski, Keith Mitchell, Joan Carrick, Troy Butt and Angus Adkins completed a retrospective study of 114 Thoroughbred foals that had septic arthritis and compared them to their maternal siblings.

Foals involved with the study had undergone treatments for septic arthritis over a 6-year period. These treatments included arthroscopic, cannulae or through-and-through needle lavage. The stifle joint was the most affected (35 percent of foals), with hocks (20 percent affected) not far behind.

In total, 130 synovial fluid samples were cultured; bacterial growth was detected in 80 percent of samples. Thirty-nine of the foals needed repeat lavage of the synovial joint structure to clear the infection.

Overall, 90 foals were discharged alive (78 percent). Foals that were less than 26 days old when they were admitted were five times less likely to be discharged alive. Foals that were also afflicted with multisystemic disease were six times less likely to be discharged alive.

The researchers found that 67 percent of foals discharged alive started in one or more races; there was no difference in the proportion of foals that started or in racing performance between foals that had been treated for septic arthritis and their maternal siblings.

The scientists conclude that the prognosis for the survival of foals with septic arthritis is good and that future racing performance does not seem to be affected by this infection.

Read the published piece here.

NTWAB Pleges $5,000 To Diversity-Focused Legacy Equine Academy

The National Turf Writers And Broadcasters pledged $5,000 to the Lexington, Ky.-based Legacy Equine Academy Inc., a unique program that allows African American and racially diverse Middle and High School students the unique opportunity to build life skills while learning horsemanship through exposure to the many opportunities on farms and in the horse racing industry.

The donation comes in light of the NTWAB's decision to cancel what would have been the 61st annual Awards Dinner held in advance of the upcoming Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course.

The NTWAB annually makes donations of a similar cumulative amounts to charities in the names of its award winners and encourages other industry organizations and stakeholders to support the Legacy Equine Academy, which has already partnered with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Dean's office, Kentucky Community and Technical College, Midway College, Fayette County Public Schools along with many other equine related enthusiasts in the corporate community.

“The NTWAB officers and board voted unanimously in the spring and gained the support of its general membership at our meeting prior to the Kentucky Derby to make a significant, one-time donation to a group that benefits both the industry and the community,” said Tom Law, NTWAB President and Managing Editor of ST Publishing Inc. “We hope this donation helps and can open doors to a segment of the community that is not only underrepresented in the racing industry but also in possession of great potential to improve the game on many levels. We could not be more proud to support an organization like the Legacy Equine Academy.”

Through its relationship with Fayette County Public Schools, the Legacy Equine Academy recruits students who are then tagged as a “Legacy Leaders” at the Middle School level. Academy members then identify the targeted students interested in the equine industry and works to ensure their candidacy for Locust Trace multi-level curriculum during their High School years, creating a pipeline toward developing future farm and racing industry professionals.

“We are so appreciative of the NTWAB for its support and advocacy of our mission,” said Ron Mack, founder and director of the Legacy Equine Academy. “We look to continue to create a pathway and a pipeline for young people into the equine industry.”

The NTWAB, which consists of more than 180 professional racing journalists, plans to resume celebrating the industry and its participants at its 61st Awards Dinner prior to the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

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‘Poise and Stride’ Published by Joe Osborne

Poise and Stride, a book of 41 short essays based on Joe Osborne’s observations from business, entertainment and sport during his 40-year career, has been published by Osborne, Managing Director of Godolphin Ireland. Originally written as contributions to the Godolphin Flying Start quarterly newsletter ‘Time Flies’, all proceeds from the sale of this book will go to Racing Academy & Centre of Education (RACE) in Kildare Town. The academy, a registered charity, was established by Joe’s father Michael Osborne in 1973 with Stan Cosgrove and Derek O’Sullivan. The forward is written by RACE graduate, former champion jockey turned trainer Johnny Murtagh, with illustrations by Declan Considine. The book is available for €20 (plus postage) by emailing RACE at poiseandstride@racingacademy.ie or by contacting their office at +353 45 522468.

“This project has been a labour of love and a welcome distraction during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Osborne. “The essays cover a diverse range of topics and I hope that the core messages in them will resonate with readers. My family has a longstanding link with RACE, so this is an opportunity to support the academy and to highlight the great work they are doing.”

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