Tag: The Biz

Revolutionary Racing, which revived Thoroughbred racing at Virginia's Colonial Downs in 2019, is proposing to build a Quarter horse track and Historical Horse Racing casino in the eastern Kentucky city of Ashland in Boyd County.

Larry Lucas, chairman of Revolutionary Racing, was joined by several others in making a presentation to the Kentucky Horse Racing Board at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Revolutionary Racing plans to seek the final racetrack license available in the state and it would be the only Quarter horse track.

While few details about the casino were discussed, Lucas said Revolutionary Racing plans to spend $55 million on the project and that it would create 200 full-time jobs in addition to short-term construction jobs.

“We believe a racing license is a privilege and not a right,” Lucas said before outlining the alliances his company has built with the Kentucky Quarter Horse Racing Association and community leaders in Ashland, part of the Tristate Area that borders Ohio and West Virginia and has a combined population of approximately 350,000.

Prentice Salter, president and CEO of Revolutionary Racing Kentucky,  estimated the track and HHR facility would handle $500 million annually (all but $4.5 million to $6 million of which would be wagered on slots-like HHR machines). From that, Salter estimated the company would generate $50 million in revenue, $10 million in earnings and contribute $1 million in tax revenue.

Racing would be conducted on 2,300-foot  straightaway that would accommodate races up to 660 yards over a 100-foot-wide surface. Plans call for construction of barns and on-track facilities over two phases and the track would eventually build a show horse arena.

Revolutionary Racing officials would not commit to a specific number of racing dates or races per year, saying it would depend on the available inventory of Quarter horses.

Lucas and Revolutionary Racing led a revival of Virginia Thoroughbred racing with their $20-million purchase in partnership with Peninsula Pacific of Colonial Downs. The purchase was made at the same time the Virginia lawmakers passed enabling legislation for Historical Horse Racing machines at Colonial Downs and an OTB network throughout the state. Peninsula Pacific eventually bought out Revolutionary Racing and Colonial Downs was sold earlier this year as part of a package to Churchill Downs Inc. for $2.5 billion.

Historical Horse Racing would be the key component to building an Ashland track, though few details on that part of the business were discussed during the informational presentation to the KHRC.

The post Former Colonial Downs Owner Proposes New Eastern Kentucky Quarter Horse Track appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The first of two Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) Livestock Investigation Trainings (LIT) is slated to take place July 11-13, 2022. Registration for all county and state officials, including animal control officers, sheriffs, police officers and other law enforcement officials and prosecutors in Kentucky, is free; registration for equine rescue and adoption organization employees is $150 for the three-day training.

REGISTER HERE

Developed by the KHC in partnership with the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association (KCA) with input from experienced enforcement officers, veterinarians and livestock producers, this course is tailored to the needs of the Commonwealth. During these trainings, officials will learn how to safely and strategically manage horses, cattle and other livestock running at large, as well as how to identify at-risk animals.

LIT attendees will be hosted at the Secretariat Center, a Thoroughbred reschooling facility located at the Kentucky Horse Park, and the Blue Grass Stockyards. There they will learn how to handle horses and cattle, assess body condition score in both species, identify situations that need intervention, and apply Kentucky statutes to animal-associated court cases. Attendees will also practice handling and evaluating live horses and cattle, as well as examining Kentucky statutes and enforcement procedures.

“We are excited to offer two Livestock Investigation Trainings in 2022,” said Sarah Coleman, Kentucky Horse Council executive director. “These trainings provide vital education on animal abuse and neglect to our Kentucky peace officers and rescue personnel. We are deeply grateful to the Secretariat Center and Blue Grass Stockyards for consistently supporting the KHC in our mission to protect horses and other livestock in the Commonwealth by providing a good understanding of livestock handling and husbandry, which increases the likelihood of positive outcomes for loose animals or those found in neglectful situations.”

Sponsorship of this program allows the Kentucky Horse Council to provide free training registration to county and state officials, including animal control officers, police, sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel. Download the sponsor packet here.

The KHC has educated over 260 officers from 60 Kentucky counties since the inception of the trainings in 2008. The fall Livestock Investigation Training I will take place October 24-26 in Lexington. This course is open to out-of-state officials and equine enthusiasts for a fee of $250 per person. Register for the course here.

For more information, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org or contact the Kentucky Horse Council at 859-367-0509 or info@kentuckyhorse.org

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Woodbine Entertainment is proud to announce that it is partnering with the You Can Play Project (YCP) to increase the level of inclusion for everyone who participates in the sport of horse racing. This includes 2SLGBTQ+ athletes, administrators, horse people, and fans.

​Woodbine Entertainment is the first horse racing organization in all of North America to partner with the YCP.

​“This partnership is a reflection of our determination and commitment to do more to break down barriers and make our sport more inclusive,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, of Woodbine Entertainment. “Horse racing has a rich history throughout the world, but we see an opportunity to be more inclusive, and to be allies to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.”

​YCP works to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans. Celebrating their 10^th anniversary this year, YCP provides support, education and outreach to ensure the 2SLGBTQ+ community is safe and welcomed in sport, and athletes and participants are judged on their skill, talent and contribution and not their sexuality or gender identity.

​“Woodbine has made inclusion a priority across their organization, so this is not just as a June effort during Pride month,” explained Denis Vachon, Head of Canadian Partnerships for You Can Play. “Their commitment to these initiatives has been impressive, and the first of its kind within horse racing. Our partnership will be showcased through both front-facing visuals to evidence a welcoming environment, as well as behind-the-scenes education, to provide a race experience for every participant and fan.”

​The partnership kicks of this June during Pride month with various initiatives planned over the next year including inclusivity training for Woodbine Entertainment staff, jockeys, drivers, trainers, and other horse racing participants. Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park will also host You Can Play themed race days in 2023 to raise awareness and 50/50 fundraising draws to support the You Can Play Project.

​“Diversity, equality, inclusivity and belonging has been a focus for us over the past few years and this partnership is a part of those efforts,” added Lawson. “We are the first to admit we can be better in this area. There is so much opportunity to be more inclusive throughout society, and especially in professional sports, and we are proud to be leaders in inclusivity in the sport of horse racing.”

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The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced Monday that the 37th annual TOBA National Awards Dinner will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

“Keeneland is honored to host the TOBA National Awards Dinner two days before the start of our world-famous September Yearling Sale,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Keeneland and TOBA not only share a mission to advance Thoroughbred racing but also have a noteworthy historical connection. TOBA's origins lie in part in the Thoroughbred Horse Association, co-founded in 1916 by Hal Price Headley two decades before he became the driving force in the creation of Keeneland.”

The National Awards Dinner honors owners and breeders from 21 states and Canada. Also recognized are the National Owner of the Year and National Owner Finalists, National Breeder of the Year, National Breeder of the Year Finalists, Small Breeder of the Year, Broodmare of the Year, Cot Campbell Racing Partnership of the Year, TOBA Industry Service Award, Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year, National HBPA Claiming Crown Horse of the Year and recipient of the Robert N. Clay Award.

“We are thrilled to be able to celebrate the achievements of racing's breeders and owners at Keeneland, which is one of our sport's most iconic venues,” said Dan Metzger, president of TOBA. “We are grateful for Keeneland's support in hosting the TOBA National Awards Dinner and we look forward to recognizing the outstanding individuals and horses of 2021 on the eve of the world's leading yearling sale.”

Tickets for the National Awards Dinner will go on sale in July and will be available online at toba.org. For sponsorship opportunities call Samantha Smith at (859) 276-6793.

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