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Del Giudice Retires from NYRA Board; Holliday Named Interim Chair

Michael Del Giudice, the New York Racing Association (NYRA)'s Chairman of the Board of Directors, has retired from his post, NYRA announced Wednesday. The board's executive committee has appointed Marc Holiday to serve as interim chair until a full meeting of the NYRA board set for Dec. 16.

Del Giudice joined the NYRA board in 2003 and has served as its Chairman since 2017. He was also Chairman of the NYRA Reorganization Board of Directors from 2015 to 2017.

According to a release from NYRA, “During [Del Giudice's] tenure, NYRA returned to sound financial footing and improved the quality, safety, and integrity of its racing operations. Under the leadership of Mr. Del Giudice, NYRA completed a series of significant capital improvement projects to improve the fan experience and modernize racing, training and backstretch facilities at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.”

Holliday, a prominent owner/breeder and founder of Blue Devil Racing Stable, joined the NYRA Board in 2014. He has chaired the Equine Safety Committee since 2015. Holliday is also Chairman and CEO of SL Green Realty Corp, New York City's largest owner of office properties.

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Sherman to Retire From Training

Trainer Art Sherman, best known for conditioning dual Classic winner California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit), plans to retire at the end of the year. The story was originally published by the Blood-Horse.

Upon his retirement, the 84-year-old's horses will likely be split between his sons Steve and Alan. In addition to traveling and spending time with his family, the elder Sherman will do a little bloodstock work.

Sherman was an exercise rider and jockey prior to taking up training. He was the regular exercise rider of Hall of Famer Swaps.

Sherman's first Grade I winner was Siren Lure (Joyeux Danseur), a horse he claimed for $50,000. His other top-level scorers, aside from California Chrome, are Ultra Bend (Richly Blended), Haimish Hy (Ecton Park) and Lang Field (Langfuhr).

Sherman became the oldest trainer to win the Kentucky Derby at age 77 when California Chrome took the 2014 renewal. The Cal-bred followed with a win in the GI Preakness S. and GI Hollywood Derby that season, clenching the Eclipse Award for top 3-year-old male and Horse of the Year. Capturing the 2016 G1 Dubai World Cup, the chestnut also took that year's GI Pacific Classic and GI Awesome Again S., but was run down by Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. He took home champion older horse and Horse of the Year that season.

As of Nov. 24, Sherman has saddled 2,261 winners with earnings of $45,312,331.

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Cox Wins Big Sport of Turfdom Award

Brad Cox has won the 2021 Big Sport of Turfdom award, which recognizes a person or group of people who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists, the Turf Publicists of America announced Wednesday.

“What a year it's been for Brad Cox. Whenever there was a big race to cover, it was odds-on that a horse from his barn would be one to talk about,” TPA President Wendy Davis said. “Brad's generosity with his time, allowing his story, as well as his horses' stories to be shared with the fans of our sport is the epitome of what the award stands for. We congratulate Brad on his incredible 2021 racing season that includes the victory by Knicks Go in the Breeders' Cup Classic as well as being chosen by the members of the Turf Publicists of America as the Big Sport of Turfdom.”

The Big Sport of Turfdom award will be presented to Cox at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's annual awards luncheon Dec. 7. As there was no Symposium held in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions, 2020 Big Sport winner, trainer Tom Amoss, will be honored at the same time

“I am honored to receive this award,” Cox said. “It is especially meaningful given the list of previous winners.”

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Roytz to Step Back from RRP

After serving for four years as Retired Racehorse Project's executive director and five years prior to that as a board member, Jen Roytz will be stepping down from her leadership role at the end of the year. Longtime staff member and current managing director, Kirsten Green, will serve as interim executive director while the organization conducts a national search for the role.

Under Roytz's leadership the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has expanded in both size and scope. The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium has become the largest and most lucrative retraining competition for off-track Thoroughbreds in the world.

“It has been one of my life's greatest honors to head up an organization that is making such a profound difference in how Thoroughbreds are received and repurposed by the equestrian community. In my opinion, the RRP's focus on expanding the market of equestrians who are willing and able to transition racehorses to sport horses is a critical part of the aftercare equation,” said Roytz. “As someone who is active in both the racing and equestrian worlds, this organization is close to my heart, and its mission speaks to my soul. I look forward to staying engaged with the organization and its leadership team and supporting them in whatever ways I can.”

In addition to serving as the executive director for the RRP, Roytz is a partner in Topline Communications, a marketing and communications agency based in Lexington, Kentucky. She and her fiancee also own and operate Brownstead Farm, where they focus on Thoroughbred breeding, selling, breaking of young horses and post-racing retraining. Roytz's board affiliations include the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's Advisory Board, the Kentucky Horse Council, the National HBPA's Aftercare Committee and Saddle Up Safely, among others.

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