U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) led the Senate Monday night in passing the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which was included in the year-end government funding bill. The legislation now goes to President Trump's desk to become law. Senator McConnell introduced the bipartisan legislation in September, only days after the 146^th Kentucky Derby, to recognize a uniform, national standard for Thoroughbred racing.

“Kentucky's cherished horseracing traditions deserve to be protected. I'm proud the Senate agreed to my legislation to preserve our signature racing industry and the 24,000 workers who support it,” said Senator McConnell. “With the leadership of Congressman Andy Barr and the partnership of sport leaders, horse advocates, and fans, we're one step closer to promoting fairness and safety across Thoroughbred racing. As Majority Leader, I made this Kentucky-focused legislation a top priority in the Senate. I look forward to this major advancement for our beloved sport becoming law.”

The House of Representatives passed the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in September led by U.S. Congressmen Andy Barr (KY-06) and Paul Tonko (NY-20). U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) — Senators representing states with prominent racetracks — were original cosponsors in the Senate.

“With today's passage of HISA in Congress we are in the final stretch of achieving the most transformational and consequential reform of the Thoroughbred horseracing industry since enactment of the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978,” said Congressman Barr. “For almost a decade, I have worked with industry stakeholders and my Congressional colleagues to build consensus around reforms that will protect equine athletes and strengthen confidence and international competitiveness in the sport. I am proud to champion this historic, bipartisan legislation with Congressman Paul Tonko and Leader McConnell and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law.”

In August, Senator McConnell and Congressman Barr joined horseracing leaders in Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World, to announce an agreement years in the making to create national standards for the sport. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority will be an independent regulatory authority, similar to other professional sports, to set medication use and safety protocols.

The bipartisan legislation has earned broad support from trainers, breeders, jockeys, and other leaders of the Thoroughbred racing industry:

“Senator McConnell's leadership has been critical in bringing the Thoroughbred industry together and prioritizing the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act,” said Bill Carstanjen, chief executive officer, Churchill Downs Incorporated. “This is a pivotal moment for the future of horseracing, a sport that will now be governed by world class, uniform standards across the United States.”

“The passage of HISA is a landmark moment for the Thoroughbred racing community's ongoing efforts to ensure our horses are running under the safest and most transparent conditions possible and to protect the integrity of the sport for our athletes, horsemen and fans. The independent Authority established by HISA will bring a level of consistency and accountability that will improve our sport for years to come as they work to develop and implement uniform anti-doping, medication control and operational measures. Keeneland is honored to have been involved in this ground-breaking legislation,” said Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason jointly with president-elect Shannon Arvin.

“This marks the single most significant safety and integrity development in the history of Thoroughbred racing. This moment also demonstrates that great progress can be accomplished when the industry works together,” said Drew Fleming, president and CEO of Breeders' Cup. “We recognize that there is more to be done and we look forward to working with our counterparts to build on this momentum and further improve the sport for generations to come.

“Breeders' Cup thanks House and Senate leadership for their support and applauds Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for bringing the industry together to build consensus on meaningful reforms and regulations. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Martha McSally (R-AZ), along with Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) were also instrumental in this all-hands-on-deck effort to making racing safer and more transparent. HISA will increase public confidence in one of our country's oldest sports by creating uniform anti-doping and medication control and racing operations programs that will be developed and enforced by an independent Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (the Authority). Breeders' Cup is proud to have played a role in this effort.”

“I'd like to thank Senate Majority Leader McConnell for diligently focusing on getting this much-needed bill included in the must-pass Omnibus Appropriations Bill,” said Stuart S. Janney, III, chairman of The Jockey Club. “Leader McConnell has been a powerful force when it comes to promoting and supporting the Thoroughbred industry in Kentucky and throughout the nation. With the passage of this bill, we restore confidence with our fans that the competition is clean, the game is fair and the horse and rider are protected.”

“We thank Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for his pivotal role in the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) by the U.S. Senate,” said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA).“We look forward to President Trump signing the HISA into law and by doing so, commencing the establishment of an independent and well-informed central authority that will ensure the integrity of our sport and the safety of our human and equine athletes nationwide.”

“This is a monumental step forward that will help secure the future of Thoroughbred racing in the United States,” said Dave O'Rourke, president & CEO of the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). “For the first time, the sport will have a unified set of national safety and integrity standards to replace an outdated system that relied on patchwork regulation. The HISA will achieve the type of reforms long supported and advanced by NYRA, including a national approach to medication control and strongest anti-doping authority the sport has ever seen. This legislation will further modernize horseracing and arrives at a critical juncture in its history. NYRA looks forward to the work that lies ahead.”

“This is the day that the members of the Water Hay Oats Alliance (WHOA) have long been waiting for,” said Staci Hancock, managing member of the Water Hay Oats Alliance. “Since 2012 our grassroots movement has supported the passage of federal legislation to prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs in horseracing. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) brings much needed drug and medication reform, as well as national track safety standards, to our sport. It is with great pride and complete satisfaction that WHOA celebrates the bill's passage. We thank Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House sponsors, Congressmen Andy Barr and Paul Tonko, for getting it across the finish line.”

Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, and Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund jointly stated:

“This is a blue ribbon moment in the history of American horseracing, and this well-crafted measure sets the bar high and is a reminder that goodwill is indispensable in our politics. Working together with stakeholders to get it across the finish line, Senator McConnell and other leaders have helped to put the industry on a strong path to positive reforms. With their success in brokering an agreement with disparate stakeholders, and their dedicated work in the stretch run, Majority Leader McConnell, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Dianne Feinstein and Martha McSally and Reps. Andy Barr and Paul Tonko have risen to the occasion, building a broad base of support for lasting and meaningful change.”

Additional comments from throughout the industry:

The post ‘A Pivotal Moment’: Industry Leaders Applaud Passage Of Horseracing Integrity And Safety Act appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Robert Devlin, Terry Finley, Brant Laue, Bernard McCormack, Charlie O'Connor and Garrett O'Rourke.

“I am honored to serve another term as chair with this board of trustees,” Laue said. “Our great sport has overcome many obstacles and difficulties in the past, and with their help and support we will again.”

The TOBA Board also approved the reappointment of Craig Bernick to the American Graded Stakes Committee. The 2020-2021 committee is comprised of TOBA members Everett Dobson (chair), Barbara Banke, Reynolds Bell, Jr., Craig Bernick, Walker Hancock, and J. Michael O'Farrell and racing officials Kevin Greely (Indiana Grand), Steve Lym (Santa Anita Park), Ben Huffman (Churchill Downs and Keeneland), Martin Panza (NYRA) and Thomas Robbins (Del Mar).

TOBA, based in Lexington, Ky., was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred breeders and owners. TOBA's mission is to improve the economics, integrity and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders. Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, Claiming Crown, Ownership Seminars, Breeding, Conformation & Pedigree Clinics, TOBA Owners Concierge and the Sales Integrity Program. TOBA, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, has also created a free information resource called OwnerView to provide pertinent information to new, prospective and current Thoroughbred owners. TOBA provides international representation for U.S. owners and breeders on the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee, International Cataloguing Standards Committee and International Breeders Federation. Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is the charitable arm of TOBA. TOBA Media Properties, a subsidiary of TOBA, owns The Horse magazine, Eclipse Press and is co-owner of The Blood-Horse LLC. TOBA is represented on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium as founding members.

The post TOBA Names Officers, Five New Trustees To Board appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Arvin, whose father and grandfather held important positions at Keeneland,  was interviewed recently by Paulick Report editor-in-chief Natalie Voss. She did not step back from the realization that her selection as Keeneland president can serve as an inspiration to other women throughout the industry. “It's not lost on me,” she said, “and I hope it does let women know that if you just get up every day and keep after it and be persistent, anything is possible.”

In this week's edition of the Friday Show, publisher Ray Paulick and Voss discuss the appointment of Arvin as Keeneland president and what her focus may be after she takes the reins of power.

They also review wagering data for American racing that suggests how – in this year of the coronavirus pandemic – the shift from on-track or OTB bets to advance-deposit wagering has not been a boon to purse money.

Watch the Friday Show below.

The post The Friday Show Presented By Woodbine: An Inspirational Choice At Keeneland appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Arvin will also be carrying on family tradition — her grandfather W.T. “Bish” Bishop was the track's first general manager, and her father grew up in an apartment next to the track's clubhouse. She is the first woman in Keeneland's history to serve as its president.

We sat down with Arvin to find out more about her outlook on her new role. 

PR: Was your new position as president of Keeneland something you've always aspired to, or did it just sort of evolve organically?

SA: I have been working as a lawyer in the Thoroughbred industry for 18 years and have been lucky to work with a lot of great clients. My relationships at Keeneland have kept me close throughout my time there. I don't know that I can say it was my aspiration, but it's more of, 'I wake up every day and do the best I can for this institution, for which I have so much passion.' I couldn't be more excited to have ended up in this spot.

You obviously have a long family tradition of working in racing, going back a couple of generations. What made you want to stay in the racing business yourself?

SA: My dad and I were very close, but it's funny – I think he would have been just as happy if I'd been a school teacher or a chef as he was for me to be a lawyer and practice with him. He just wanted me to do the kind of work that made me happy. In fact, when I started practicing law, he suggested estate planning, because he knew I wanted a family at some point and that might be a nice area of the law where you could be a little more flexible. I did in fact pursue that as well, but the relationships just kept taking me back to the equine business. That's such a relationship business. My friends have been my clients, and my clients have been my friends, so my personal and professional worlds have always collided in such a way it has kept me really close to the industry.

Your grandfather was the first general manager of Keeneland; does the family association with Keeneland place a unique kind of pressure on you in this new role?

SA: I think it makes me excited more than anything. My dad was always careful not to apply that pressure to me. Of course I remember my grandfather, but I was pretty young when he passed away and it was before I recognized his professional contributions.

My dad was always careful to make sure I was doing what I was doing because I was passionate about it and it's what I wanted to do. He passed away from cancer, which is a horrible illness, but one of the benefits of it is you have a little foresight and the ability to plan. So I have all these letters from my dad which I'll keep forever, and one of them said, 'If this is ever too much for you or not what you want to do, please don't feel any pressure from me or anybody else to continue.' That's helped me a lot since 2008, to be sure I'm doing what I am because I feel confident about my contributions and happy.

Of course, you're the first woman to have held this position. How do you feel about being the very first?

SA: You know, I have sat in a lot of boardrooms with a lot of men over the years and I don't feel uncomfortable at all in that position. I feel like I haven't let that get in my way, and I've been fortunate to work with people through the years who haven't let it get in the way either. I think that leading for men or women is similar in that you set a vision, you have goals and strategies, you have a great team and you have to make tough calls.

It's not lost on me and I hope it does let women know that if you just get up every day and keep after it and be persistent, anything is possible. I have two young daughters who are nine and ten, and that's been a really fun part of this too, watching their minds work. When I told them I was taking this job they said, 'Mom, you already work at Keeneland.' But as time has gone on, I think it's evolved, especially for my 10-year-old, that this is a big deal. And I'm excited about that.

What are your long and short term visions for what you want to do in this position?

SA: Short term, we have got to operate in a way that protects the health of the industry during a global pandemic and that means working as hard as we can and doing all things possible to have safe sales this fall, a safe race meet, a safe Breeders' Cup. We need to protect the health of our athletes and our industry participants.

Keeneland is such a unique organization because we've had the same mission for 80 plus years. We're a model racetrack, a leading auction company, and we're guided by the best of the traditions of our sport. I think a really important part of that that will be a challenge is maintaining the best of those traditions and innovating in a way that enhances safety and integrity and attracts new owners and fans.

What areas of racing and sales do you think Keeneland has done really well to this point, and where are the areas of improvement you're hoping to work on?

SA: On the racing side, it's hard to think of anything more important than safety and integrity. I think Keeneland has done a great job of being a leader on that front, as a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, and even before that. We put so many resources into making this the absolute safest track that it can be. Certainly, as you've seen, we haven't done that perfectly. There's room for improvement on that and we'll continue to do that.

Sales, there are some silver linings of the pandemic and one of them is speeding up some projects that we already had underway, in terms of permitting online bidding promoting digital sales. We've got areas of bidding for those who are physically on the grounds so they can be socially distanced and safe. We've working on that innovation in the sales arena.

Hospitality has been such an important part of the way Keeneland has advanced in the last few years and I think that's going to look different, too. We're not going to be having big parties for a while, we're going to be having smaller, more intimate get-togethers and find creative ways to let people feel a part of what we have here and be energized by that.

Do you have a vision for how to attract new owners once we get beyond COVID?

SA: I think it's conducting our sport well, and that goes back to innovation. I don't have the magic answer that's going to attract new fans, but I think we can do things that will make our sport more attractive to the general public – have broadcasting conducted in a way that shows the inside of the business. Horse Country, I think, has been a great advancement in terms of letting people see the horse at an early age. There's no animal more majestic than the horse and I'm sure you feel the same way. Working to find ways to connect owners better with the horse. If you're in Ireland and you're sitting in a pub, it feels like everyone owns the leg of a racehorse. That's a great way to expose people to the excitement of our sport, let them catch the fever and have the fun of owning a leg or an ear of a horse in a way that shows them it's not just for the uber wealthy. There are all kinds of ways to be involved in our sport and I think we have to do a better job of bringing people to that.

Even if they just own a whisker and aren't in a position to be an owner for a period of time, we still want them to be fans.

How do you plan to address the ethical environment at sales? We hear sometimes about kickbacks and other arrangements that take place at the sales grounds; how do you envision addressing those kinds of things?

SA: I think it's education. I think sometimes in the horse business we've seen situations where really successful people come into the business and they don't necessarily do the same due diligence in the horse business that they have in their other businesses. I think it's education and getting to know the people they're doing business with and making sure they're comfortable with them. I'm a lawyer by training and I know horsemen and horsewomen tend not to like agreements but here are ways you can have agreements that are short and concise and don't bog down a transaction and still protects people.

Diversity has been a big topic in racing, and something Keeneland has committed itself to improving. Do you have an idea of how you will go about improving the diversity of your company?

SA: I think not just our industry, but our world, and particularly our country, are struggling right now to find a better balance. I think a silver lining in some of the strife we're seeing is that people are more cognizant and working harder to achieve better diversity. We all have work to do; our company has work to do, our community has work to do, and we're committed to doing that. And that's the first step.

We're going to do an assessment of where we are and where we need to go. I've been involved in hiring for a number of years too, and I've learned that to improve diversity it's not enough to say, 'Well the candidates aren't there.' You need to do outreach and work with the community to find diverse candidates, and work to attract diverse candidates to our company and to our industry. We're definitely committed to doing that.

The post In New Role As Keeneland President, Safety Will Be A Central Focus For Arvin appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

“Bill Thomason has led Keeneland with passion and integrity and with a commitment to its customers and a devotion to the Keeneland team,” Keeneland Trustee Everett Dobson said. “People who care as much as Bill are what makes Keeneland so incredibly special. He leaves a tremendous legacy of service to Keeneland, the horse industry and the community, and his accomplishments have indelibly shaped the future of our sport.”

“I've never met anyone who has more love for Keeneland or more respect for its traditions than Bill Thomason,” Keeneland Trustee Bill Lear said. “He has demonstrated both qualities in everything he has done as President, and we take this opportunity to thank him for serving Keeneland so well.”

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to be part of the Keeneland family,” Thomason said. “I feel privileged to work alongside people who share a commitment to always put the best interest of the horse first and to exceed our customer's expectations. Keeneland was founded upon these principles, which continue to guide our operations to this day. Shannon's life and work experiences intertwine with that philosophy, and I look forward to her leadership of Keeneland for years to come.”

The appointment of Arvin was a unanimous decision by the Keeneland Trustees.

“Bill notified us last year of his wish to spend more time with his family and his plans for retirement,” Keeneland Trustee Seth Hancock said. “We are grateful to have had ample time to thoughtfully select his successor. We have all known Shannon for years through her service to Keeneland and numerous boards in the racing industry. We approached her to see if there was an interest on her part, and I am happy to say there was. Our wide-ranging discussions with her that followed confirmed our initial judgement: Shannon's leadership, professionalism, the respect she has earned within the horse industry, her intimate knowledge of Keeneland's core businesses and her vision for Keeneland's future made her the clear choice to become the next President.”

Through her work with SKO's Lexington office, where she has practiced since 2002, Arvin has represented Thoroughbred owners and prominent industry organizations in Kentucky and around the world, among them Keeneland, Breeders' Cup Ltd., Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. She also serves on the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of The Jockey Club.

“I have had the honor of working with Shannon for many years, and her expertise and knowledge of the Thoroughbred industry and her impressive leadership abilities make her a great choice for Keeneland,” Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming said. “Breeders' Cup has a long-standing bond with Keeneland, and we look forward to working with Shannon, Bill and their entire team to not only make the Breeders' Cup World Championships a resounding success in 2020 but also to innovate and grow our sport going forward. Today's announcement is a major win for the future of racing.”

Arvin brings to her new role a unique perspective of Keeneland's rich history and what the iconic track means to horsemen, fans and Central Kentucky. Her grandfather W.T. “Bish” Bishop was the first General Manager of Keeneland when the track opened in 1936. Her father, the late William T. “Buddy” Bishop III, grew up at Keeneland, living in an apartment next to the Clubhouse. Buddy Bishop's lifelong service to Keeneland included positions as Director, Secretary, Trustee and Counsel. He was also a partner at SKO and worked with his daughter at the firm until his passing in 2008.

“Through her legal career at SKO and her service on numerous industry boards and community organizations, Shannon has earned international respect for her wise counsel and love of the Thoroughbred industry,” Dobson said. “Her deep roots with Keeneland and appreciation for its mission will allow her to lead with the same integrity and enthusiasm she has brought to every organization she has served.”

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as President and CEO of Keeneland,” Arvin said. “I am also thankful for my experience at Stoll Keenon Ogden these past 18 years. I appreciate the trust and confidence placed in me by my clients and my law partners, and I look forward to continuing to work with them in a different capacity.

“I have a deep love and passion for Keeneland and it is a tremendous honor to lead this organization and work alongside this amazing team,” she said. “By building on the foundation laid by Bill Thomason and those who came before him, and with a continued focus on integrity, innovation and safety, we will further the mission of Keeneland and ensure the future of this sport.”

Thomason's legacy one of advancement and innovation at Keeneland and within the horse industry

Bill Thomason navigated Keeneland through a decade of substantial growth and change in the Thoroughbred industry. Keeneland successfully hosted the 2015 Breeders' Cup which generated a nearly $70 million economic impact for Lexington, and he negotiated the event's return to Keeneland in 2020. Keeneland achieved record Spring and Fall Meet attendance and handle, highlighted by the more than $25 million wagered on last year's Toyota Blue Grass Day and the more than $160 million wagered during the 2019 Fall Meet. The Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) and Toyota Blue Grass (G2) were elevated to $1 million stakes. On the sales front, Keeneland further expanded its global outreach, resulting in gross sales of more than $627 million last year; launched the Keeneland Digital Sales Ring, the first online sales auction in North America; and undertook a multimillion-dollar renovation of the barn area to better showcase offerings for Keeneland auctions.

Under Thomason's leadership, Keeneland was a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition. As a passionate leader in the area of equine safety and welfare, Thomason was integral in initiating the hiring of an Equine Safety Director at Keeneland and championing race track surfaces research and testing, racing and sales medication reforms and industry initiatives to promote the betterment of the sport. He has served as chairman of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, a member of The Jockey Club, on the board of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Foundation and University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Advisory Board. Like Keeneland, each of these organizations has realized the benefits of Thomason's leadership, integrity and his undeniable devotion to the safety of the horse and the future of the Thoroughbred industry.

“Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry have been very fortunate to have Bill Thomason as President and CEO of Keeneland for the past eight years,” Fleming of Breeders' Cup said. “Under Bill's leadership, Keeneland implemented numerous significant initiatives that will leave a lasting positive impact on the Thoroughbred business, including Keeneland's hosting of the groundbreaking 2015 Breeders' Cup and being a co-founder of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition. It has been a real pleasure to work closely with Bill, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.”

Keeneland's outreach during Thomason's tenure expanded beyond traditional business lines, most significantly with the track's historic partnerships with Red Mile and Churchill Downs on historical gaming and simulcasting facilities. Keeneland Hospitality was developed to elevate the on-site culinary experience for patrons and to deliver top-class special events. Retail operations branched out to include online sales, a remodel of The Keeneland Shop and the opening of Keeneland Mercantile to establish a presence for Thoroughbred racing in downtown Lexington. Customer service reached new levels with construction of a Welcome Center, creation of a Keeneland Tour Program and participation in the formation of the popular Horse Country.

Keeneland also focused on its philanthropic mission by boosting such special events as Make-A-Wish Day and College Scholarship Day, expanding the charitable aspects of the Keeneland Kids Club, launching Keeneland Library's Oral History Project and strengthening its partnership with Maker's Mark on a commemorative bottle series that has generated millions of dollars for Central Kentucky organizations and the horse industry. Keeneland collaborated with Cross Gate Gallery to create the Sporting Art Auction to benefit the Keeneland Foundation and with AC Entertainment to inaugurate the Railbird music festival.

During this period, Keeneland also was named among the best places to work by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management.

Arvin brings years of service to the Lexington community and the Thoroughbred industry

A Lexington native, Arvin has deep ties to the Central Kentucky community and the horse industry.

In addition to her aforementioned affiliations, Arvin currently serves as Secretary of Horse Country, Director of Kentucky Bank and Director of The Lexington School; is Chair and Director of Bluegrass Care Navigators (formerly Hospice of the Bluegrass) and is Past President of the Thoroughbred Club of America.

“Shannon is all in for Keeneland and for Lexington; she has a tremendous knowledge of and love for the community,” Juddmonte Farms General Manager Garrett O'Rourke said. “In my early days at Juddmonte, I worked very closely with her Dad, who I loved. She and her Dad are very much alike, both wise and smart, and that is the biggest compliment I could give her. But more than anything else, her history and her roots in Keeneland are what make it the absolute glove fit. It couldn't be a more obvious or perfect choice, and I am delighted for her and for Keeneland.”

Arvin graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a B.A. in Political Science, International Studies, with High Honors. She graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2002.

Arvin and her husband, Will, have two daughters, Bishop and McCutchen.

The post Bill Thomason To Retire As Keeneland President, CEO; Shannon Bishop Arvin Named Successor appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Arvin, a partner at the Lexington law firm Stoll Keenon Ogden (SKO), has served as corporate counsel to Keeneland since 2008 and as Secretary and Advisory Member of Keeneland’s Board of Directors since 2015. She will serve as the incoming President-elect beginning Sept. 1 and will officially transition to President and CEO on Jan. 1, 2021. She becomes Keeneland’s eighth President and the first woman in that position, joining Belinda Stronach (Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Gulfstream and the Maryland Jockey Club) and Stella Thayer (Tampa Bay Downs) as women currently serving as the head of a North American racetrack.

Thomason retires after a decade with Keeneland, including eight years in the top spot.

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as President and CEO of Keeneland,” Arvin said. “I am also thankful for my experience at Stoll Keenon Ogden these past 18 years. I appreciate the trust and confidence placed in me by my clients and my law partners, and I look forward to continuing to work with them in a different capacity.

A Lexington native, Arvin has deep ties to the Central Kentucky community and the horse industry. She graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a B.A. in Political Science, International Studies, with High Honors, and from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2002.

Arvin brings to her new role a unique perspective of Keeneland’s rich history and what the iconic track means to horsemen, fans and Central Kentucky. Her grandfather W.T. “Bish” Bishop was the first General Manager of Keeneland when the track opened in 1936. Her father, the late William T. “Buddy” Bishop III, grew up at Keeneland, living in an apartment next to the clubhouse. Buddy Bishop’s lifelong service to Keeneland included positions as Director, Secretary, Trustee and Counsel. He was also a partner at SKO and worked with his daughter at the firm until his passing in 2008.

“I have a deep love and passion for Keeneland and it is a tremendous honor to lead this organization and work alongside this amazing team,” she said. “By building on the foundation laid by Bill Thomason and those who came before him, and with a continued focus on integrity, innovation and safety, we will further the mission of Keeneland and ensure the future of this sport.”

At her law firm’s Lexington office, where she has practiced since 2002, Arvin has represented Thoroughbred owners and prominent industry organizations in Kentucky and around the world, among them Keeneland, Breeders’ Cup Ltd., Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. She also serves on the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of The Jockey Club. She also currently serves as Secretary of Horse Country, Director of Kentucky Bank and Director of The Lexington School; is Chair and Director of Bluegrass Care Navigators (formerly Hospice of the Bluegrass) and is Past President of the Thoroughbred Club of America.

“I have had the honor of working with Shannon for many years, and her expertise and knowledge of the Thoroughbred industry and her impressive leadership abilities make her a great choice for Keeneland,” Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming said. “Breeders’ Cup has a long-standing bond with Keeneland, and we look forward to working with Shannon, Bill and their entire team to not only make the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a resounding success in 2020 but also to innovate and grow our sport going forward. Today’s announcement is a major win for the future of racing.”

“Shannon is all-in for Keeneland and for Lexington; she has a tremendous knowledge of and love for the community,” Juddmonte Farms General Manager Garrett O’Rourke said. “In my early days at Juddmonte, I worked very closely with her dad, who I loved. She and her dad are very much alike, both wise and smart, and that is the biggest compliment I could give her. But more than anything else, her history and her roots in Keeneland are what make it the absolute glove fit. It couldn’t be a more obvious or perfect choice, and I am delighted for her and for Keeneland.”
The appointment of Arvin was a unanimous decision by the Keeneland Trustees.

“Bill notified us last year of his wish to spend more time with his family and his plans for retirement,” Keeneland Trustee Seth Hancock said. “We are grateful to have had ample time to thoughtfully select his successor. We have all known Shannon for years through her service to Keeneland and numerous boards in the racing industry. We approached her to see if there was an interest on her part, and I am happy to say there was. Our wide-ranging discussions with her that followed confirmed our initial judgement: Shannon’s leadership, professionalism, the respect she has earned within the horse industry, her intimate knowledge of Keeneland’s core businesses and her vision for Keeneland’s future made her the clear choice to become the next president.”

Bill Thomason | Keeneland photo

Thomason retires after a busy 10 years at the company.

Under his leadership, Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup for the first time in 2015, which generated a nearly $70 million economic impact for Lexington. He negotiated the event’s return to Keeneland in 2020. He also led Keeneland to become a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition. Thomason was integral in initiating the hiring of an Equine Safety Director at Keeneland and championed racing and sales medication reforms, among other industry initiatives. He has served as chairman of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, a member of The Jockey Club, on the board of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Foundation and University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Advisory Board.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to be part of the Keeneland family,” Thomason said. “I feel privileged to work alongside people who share a commitment to always put the best interest of the horse first and to exceed our customer’s expectations. Keeneland was founded upon these principles, which continue to guide our operations to this day. Shannon’s life and work experiences intertwine with that philosophy, and I look forward to her leadership of Keeneland for years to come.”

Keeneland’s outreach during Thomason’s tenure expanded beyond traditional business lines, most significantly with the track’s historic partnerships with Red Mile and Churchill Downs on historical gaming and simulcasting facilities. Keeneland Hospitality was developed to elevate the on-site culinary experience for patrons and to deliver top-class special events. Retail operations branched out to include online sales, a remodel of The Keeneland Shop and the opening of Keeneland Mercantile to establish a presence for Thoroughbred racing in downtown Lexington. Customer service was also a focus of Thomason’s, and programs included construction of a Welcome Center, creation of a Keeneland Tour Program and participation in the formation of the popular Horse Country.

During this period, Keeneland also was named among the best places to work by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management.

The post Shannon Arvin to Succeed Thomason at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post