Marketing and promotions, legislative advocacy, NTRA Advantage purchasing program, and the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance are among the topics at this year's National Thoroughbred Racing Association�fs Annual Meeting and Marketing Summit.
Friday, September 18, 2009
A survey of sports fans and "core" horse racing fans indicates impressions have improved following a rough 2008, but nowhere near enough for industry officials to proclaim a turnaround.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
As officials in Maryland work to achieve full accreditation for Pimlico Race Course through the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, the New York Racing Association is anticipating alliance approval for Belmont Park before the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Churchill Downs Inc. has renewed its membership in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association for 2009, an official with the NTRA confirmed Jan. 30.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Defending champion Richard Goodall heads a record field of 301 horseplayers who will gather at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa on Jan. 23-24 to vie for horse racing's official title of "Handicapper of the Year" and a first-place prize of $500,000 in the $1 million Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC).
Friday, January 16, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Daily Racing Form announced Dec. 4 that signups for the 2009 NHC Tour are now being accepted at www.ntra.com/nhctour.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association will unveil its Safety and Integrity Initiative Oct. 15 and fully expects broad industry cooperation given progress made thus far, officials said Oct. 1.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Blogging and other Web-related topics were given some of the highest priority during the Sept. 22 sessions of the well-attended National Thoroughbred Racing Association Marketing Summit at Las Vegas' Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced July 10 it will host a Marketing Summit from Sept. 21-23 at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Jockeys honored the memory of Eight Belles by wearing stickers on their boots or mud pants May 16 and 17 at Pimlico, which was hosting the 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and a variety of other graded races.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
About 25 supporters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals staged a quiet demonstration outside the gates of Pimlico Race Course May 17, but horseracing enthusiasts -- and fans of the Preakness experience -- weren't as reserved.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
In the wake of the fatal breakdown of the filly Eight Belles in the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), The Jockey Club has commissioned a seven-member Thoroughbred Safety Committee, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors has scheduled a special meeting May 9 to discuss a course of action.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Top three finishers earn an automatic berth in the championship in Las Vegas next year.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced that registration for the newly-created National Handicapping Championship Tour, a year-long bonus series offering additional prize money and qualifying berths to the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, will open Feb. 15 at www.ntra.com/nhctour.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association and
Daily Racing Form have announced a National Handicapping Championship Tour that will offer additional prize money and qualifying births to the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, and have launched a coalition that will target legislation related to pari-mutuel wagering.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Breeders' Cup officials are in talks with John Deere, which gained entitlement rights to the Breeders' Cup Turf Division in 2001, to continue its sponsorship.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Joe Morris is leaving his job as president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's group purchasing division.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Filly and mare sprinters will be running for their own Eclipse Award beginning in 2007.
Friday, February 16, 2007
"Wire to Wire," horse racing's weekly recap show hosted by Randy Moss, will shift to an Internet-based video platform on www.ntra.com and www.espn.com beginning Jan.18, when the program will make its 2007 debut. Moss will continue as host.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Video replays of all graded stakes in North America - starting with the races of Dec. 26, 2006 - will be archived and available free of charge at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Web site.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association will place more emphasis on federal legislative activities and public relations, the board of directors announced after a Dec. 13 meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Breeders' Cup officials are working with Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to ensure wagering on this year's World Championships is available at two Indiana off-track betting parlors near the Kentucky border.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Aug. 8 that vouchers worth nearly $2 million, including a $1 million grand prize, had been mailed to more than 325,000 consumers as part of the NTRA Mystery Mutuel Voucher promotion Aug. 12. The voucher giveaway is the NTRA's 12th such promotion dating back to August 2000. The vouchers are redeemable for cash Aug. 12 at participating racetracks and OTBs.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Keith Chamblin, formerly the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's senior vice president for marketing and industry relations, has assumed the new position of senior vice president in charge of communications, the NTRA announced Dec. 21.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Arapahoe Park, the only Thoroughbred racing facility in Colorado, has joined the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). This will mark the first time that the Aurora, Colo., racetrack has participated in the national organization.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
With 2006 a little more than three months away, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association continues to push for membership renewals and seek new members in advance of its annual meeting, scheduled for Oct. 10-12 in Lexington.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced that vouchers worth $2.1 million, including a $1 million grand prize, have been mailed to more than 360,000 consumers as part of this Saturday's NTRA Mystery Mutuel Voucher promotion.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has announced it is now accepting registrations for its 2005 annual meeting and marketing summit, which will take place Oct. 10-12 at The Marriott Griffin Gate in Lexington, Ky.
Monday, August 01, 2005
A blue ribbon panel to study and resolve jockey insurance issues in Kentucky entertained opinions from industry representatives, including jockey and owners, Thursday about what form jockeys' insurance should take in the Commonwealth and who should pay for it.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Fans may now register for the 2005 Claiming Crown Handicapping Contest keyed to the July 16 Claiming Crown at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn. The online contest challenges handicappers to pick one horse in each of the 11 live races run that day.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced the Eclipse Awards, honoring Thoroughbred horse racing's human and equine champions, would be held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, Calif., in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association's co-op radio advertising campaign won a Gold Lion Award at this past week's 52nd International Advertising Festival in Cannes, France. The award is one of the highest honors handed out at the international awards competition.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Emirates Airline, in conjunction with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, announced June 20 the "Emirates Airline Racing Around the World Sweepstakes."
Monday, June 20, 2005
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association's strategic plan for the next five years clearly reflects a shift in priorities for the organization, though many of the core focus areas remain intact from its first business plan issued in 1997.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association took no action June 9 on a proposed contract with the Thoroughbred Championship Tour, a proposed series of big-event racing days scheduled to commence in 2006.
Friday, June 10, 2005
The Thoroughbred Owners of California has renewed its membership in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association for the next five years in a move one NTRA official said bodes well for the overall membership renewal process.
Friday, June 03, 2005
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association's strategic plan for 2006-10 calls for a 25% reduction in membership dues, said NTRA officials who hope to have the renewal process completed this summer.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced today that vouchers worth a total $2.2 million, including a $1 million grand prize, have been mailed to more than 420,000 consumers as part of next week's NTRA Mystery Mutuel Voucher promotion. The vouchers are redeemable for cash April 9 at participating racetracks and OTBs. The voucher giveaway is the NTRA's 10th such promotion since August 2000.
Monday, April 04, 2005
The board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association continued to hammer out a long-range strategic plan during a March 3 meeting, but the plan isn't yet ready for a rollout before the general membership.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Though racing companies and racetracks in major jurisdictions have taken steps to increase minimum insurance benefits for jockeys injured on track, an industry working group continues to look for long-term solutions and expand the coverage to all tracks.
Friday, February 25, 2005
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which has called 2005 a pivotal year, is working on a revised dues formula that would generate the same amount of money, if not more, yet be more equitable in light of changes in the industry since the organization launched in 1997.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
D. G. Van Clief Jr., commissioner of the National Thoroughbred Association, said the NTRA will move forward with three goals: to make racing a Top 10 sport in America, grow handle to specific target levels, and to act as a convening authority.
Friday, December 10, 2004
A top official with the Jockeys' Guild has questioned the purpose of a new task force on insurance and indicated a resolution wouldn't be reached until the industry recognizes it must deal with Dr. Wayne Gertmenian, president and chief executive officer of the Guild.
Saturday, November 20, 2004
A few racetracks have adopted recommendations made last year by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Players' Panel, but NTRA officials and panel members said Sept. 28 the response generally has been sparse if not disappointing.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
The 2005
Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship will return to Bally's Las Vegas with more prize money and a follow-up television special on ESPN.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced Wednesday that vouchers worth $2.69 million--including a $1-million grand prize--have been mailed to more than 540,000 racing fans as part of this week's NTRA Mystery Mutuel Voucher promotion.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Smarty Jones and just about anyone or anything connected to him have proven hot commodities in anticipation of a Visa Triple Crown Challenge bid June 5 at Belmont Park.
Friday, May 28, 2004
Merchandise featuring the image of dual classic winner Smarty Jones, including t-shirts and caps, will be available at racetracks across the country on Belmont Stakes (gr. I) day under a deal reached between the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the undefeated colt's owners, Roy and Patricia Chapman.
Friday, May 21, 2004
Don Imus, host of the nationally syndicated "Imus in the Morning" radio program, will again join forces with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association as a partner in an ongoing Visa Triple Crown promotion.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association will soon announce that a high-profile sponsor will kick in funds to supplement purses on state-bred championship days, officials said Feb. 2.
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
