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KY Horse Industry Cites Chamber's Support

Representatives of Kentucky's horse industry said a strong endorsement of a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Feb. 9 indicates broad support for a statewide vote on the issue.

Equine Savings Adds Four Partner Companies

Equine Savings said Feb. 7 it has launched 2012 with four new partner programs geared toward the horse racing and breeding industry.

Kentucky Panel Approves New Medication Rules

An advisory panel to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has given final approval to regulatory changes that include permitting an owner to void the claim of a horse that tested positive.

KTA/KTOB Announces Results of Recent Election

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders announced Sept. 28 the results of its election for 2011-12 officers and directors.

KTA/KTOBA Leader Supports Medication Changes

David Switzer, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association, is the latest industry leader to support changes in medication policies.

KTA Supports, NTRA Discusses, Drug Phase-Out

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, which operate as one entity, issued a statement April 12 saying it supports a call by RCI to phase out race-day medication.

Losing Jockeys' Mount Fees Increased in KY

The Jockeys' Guild and representatives of Kentucky's horsemen's groups have agreed to increase how much jockeys are paid for losing mounts at the state's tracks.

KTA Discusses Ways to Increase Purses

Several Thoroughbred industry officials met in Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 14 to discuss a 2011 legislative plan for increasing purses and breed development funds.

KHRC Pledges to Consider Input on Testing

Kentucky Horse Racing Commission officials acknowledged concerns about aspects of the proposed out-of-competition testing of racehorses and pledged Aug. 25 to consider the input before the regulations are approved.

Jockey Derby Advertising Again at Issue

The annual controversy over advertising on jockeys' pants at the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) resurfaced May 11 during two meetings of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Younger Set: 'Time for Change' in Industry

Members of the Kentucky group Vision 20/20 told state regulators April 14 what they'd like to see as Thoroughbred industry participants and potential future leaders in the business.

Vision 20/20 Group Getting Industry Educated

A Thoroughbred leadership group called Vision 20/20 has been formed by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders in order to strengthen the industry.

Equine Lending's Stormy Climate

The lingering economic recession has forced banks to become very conservative lenders. In this climate, Thoroughbred horsemen nationwide are struggling with credit lines drying up and loans being called in.

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Thayer Delays Committee Vote on Gaming Bill

Saying his bill for a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling in the state is gaining support from some members of the Kentucky horse industry, Republican Sen. Damon Thayer put action on the bill on hold Jan. 13.

Kentucky VLTs, Gaming: More Talk Than Action

A hot topic when the Kentucky General Assembly convened Jan. 5, expanded gaming and racetrack video lottery terminals generated much talk but no action during the first week of the legislative session.

KY Farm Tour Web Site to be Launched

In an effort to promote the local Thoroughbred industry, a recently formed company called Horse Capital Productions will launch a Web site Jan. 15 to serve as a bridge between farms and tour companies in the Bluegrass.

New Churchill Contract About More Than Money

Churchill Downs and Kentucky horsemen have reached a three-year agreement that sets purse payments, establishes purse supplements and ends a legal dispute that began in the spring of 2008.

KY Senators Seek Public Vote on Gaming

During a presentation to members of the horse industry at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 20, Kentucky Senate President David Williams and Sen. Damon Thayer, both Republicans, proposed constitutional amendments regarding the future of the state's horse industry.

Racetrack Gaming Bill Headed to KY House

The Kentucky House Appropriations and Revenue Committee June 18 sent racetrack gaming legislation to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

KY Horse Industry Plans Rally at Capitol

The Kentucky Equine Education Project is organizing a rally June 17 in the Capitol Rotunda to drum up support for legislation that would financially assist the horse industry.

Loans to be Offered for Ice Storm Relief

Kentucky Thoroughbred farms seeking financial aid to cover their immense repair efforts for damages caused by an ice storm the week of Jan. 25 could soon receive some federal relief in the form of a loan.

Kentucky Jockeys Seek Higher Mount Fees

Jockeys riding in Kentucky are seeking an increase in losing mount fees â€" those paid for finishing fourth or worse in a race â€" and have been unable to reach an agreement with horsemen, according to representatives of the Jockeys' Guild who attended the monthly Kentucky Horse Racing Commission meeting Jan. 6.

CDI Lawsuit Active Despite Agreement

While a signal deal has been struck between Churchill Downs Inc. and Kentucky horsemen for the Churchill Downs spring meet, still unresolved are claims and counter-claims in federal antitrust lawsuit featuring many of the principal parties.

Churchill, Horsemen Reach ADW Agreement

Churchill Downs has announced it has come to terms with horsemen over advance deposit wagering splits for the 2009 spring meeting at the Louisville, Ky., racetrack. The meet begins April 25.

Churchill ADW Signal Still in Limbo

Churchill Downs said Oct. 24 it has not yet received consent from horsemen to distribute its racing signal to national advance deposit wagering sites for its fall meet, which starts Oct. 26.

Churchill ADW Agreement Off the Table?

An agreement has reportedly fallen apart for signal distribution of the upcoming Churchill Downs fall meet to advance deposit wagering entities, according to horsemen representatives involved in the negotiations.

Churchill Makes Deep Cut in Fall Stakes

Blaming a decline in purse money earned earned from wagering sources during its 2008 spring meet, Churchill Downs Racetrack has slashed its stakes program for the upcoming fall meet by $975,000 through purse reductions in 11 stakes races and the elimination of two others.

KHBPA Files Counterclaim in CDI Lawsuit

The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has formally filed a counterclaim in the federal antitrust lawsuit brought by Churchill Downs Inc. and affiliates, and has joined with other defendants asking for their dismissal from the case.

Handle, Purses Drop at Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs' 52-day spring meet closed July 6 with steep declines in handle and purses, likely results of a well-publicized clash between track officials and horsemen over wagering revenue.

CDI Includes Kentucky Horsemen in Suit

Churchill Downs Inc. has amended its lawsuit against Florida horsemen and the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group to include certain Kentucky horsemen associations and officers, an action in which all defendants are charged with violating federal antitrust laws.

KTA Upset with Churchill Dealings

The head of a Kentucky horsemen's association said his group withheld approval for the Churchill Downs signal to go out to a pair of offshore rebate shops for the undercards of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and is aggravated that the track is blaming horsemen for a decline in handle on the two programs.

Horsemen Pitch ADW plan for Derby, Oaks

Horsemen at odds with TrackNet Media Group over advance deposit wagering revenue sharing plans are suggesting a plan that would allow all ADWs to carry programs of both the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Derby, Oaks Signal Rights Debated

Horsemen at odds with TrackNet Media Group over advance deposit wagering revenue sharing plans are proposing an arrangement that would allow all ADWs to carry programs of both the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Horsemen Won't OK Churchill ADW Signal

Consider this chilling scenario: Customers of several advance deposit wagering companies - and possibly some large off-shore rebate shops - won't be able to place wagers on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) through those entities.

KEEP Plans Rally for Casino Bill

In an attempt to recruit people to support the proposed constitutional amendment for expanded gaming, the Kentucky Equine Education Project urged its members to attend a Feb. 26 committee meeting hearing for the bill, as well as a horse trailer caravan "rally" the same day in Frankfort.

KTA and Turfway Park Award Scholarships

Ten college and university students got lucky at the races Sept. 30, each winning $1,000 in scholarship funds from Turfway Park and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. The scholarship giveaway was part of Turfway's Kentucky Cup Day of Champions.

Ellis Park/KTA Scholarship Day Announced

Ellis Park and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association will sponsor a Scholarship Day Aug. 6th at the Western Kentucky oval.

Farmer Honored with William T. Young Humanitarian Award

Tracy Farmer has received the third annual William T. Young Humanitarian Award from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders. The award was established in 2003 to recognize a person in the thoroughbred industry "who recognizes and promotes the human endeavor," was presented at the annual Kentucky Derby trainers' dinner Tuesday night.

Casner to Farm Managers: In-State Breeder Awards Make Sense

WinStar Farm co-owner Bill Casner, speaking to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Manager's Club Nov. 1, spelled out his support for a breeders' incentive program that would reward Kentucky-bred horses for winning races solely at tracks in the state.

Landes to Head KTA/KTOB; Five Newcomers on Board

William L.S. Landes III will take over as president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders for 2005-06.

KEEP Endorses Initial In-State Breed Incentive Program

The board of directors of the Kentucky Equine Education Project has opted to endorse an in-state Thoroughbred breed development program that could eventually offer awards to horses that race out of state or in other countries.

Kentucky Farm Managers Favor International Incentive Plan

Members of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club overwhelmingly favor a state breeders' incentive program that would reward breeders of Kentucky-bred and Kentucky-foaled horses that win anywhere in the world.

Kentucky Sets Town Meeting on Incentive Fund

Thoroughbred organizations in Kentucky have scheduled a town hall meeting May 18 to discuss implementation of the new Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund, revenue for which will begin to accrue July 1.

Keeneland/KTA Host College Scholarship Day

Keeneland and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association are teaming up to present College Scholarship Day on spring meet opening day, April 8, in which college students can win $1,000 toward their education, as well as additional gift certificates to local Lexington businesses.

Jones Tells Farm Managers Common Sense Will Work

Former Kentucky governor and Airdrie Stud owner Brereton Jones told the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club Jan. 4 that a common sense approach and a united front would get things accomplished in Frankfort, including the creation of breeders' rewards program.

Churchill: $2-Million Derby Purse 'Magic Number'

The Derby is the Derby. But Churchill Downs doesn't want to take any chances with what it considers the signature event in Thoroughbred racing.

Keeneland Scholarship Day Oct. 15

The annual Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Keeneland Association Scholarship day is set for Oct. 15. College students can register to win one-of- 10-$1,000 scholarships to be used toward their education.

Keeneland, KTA Partner to Giveaway 10 $1,000 College Scholarships

College students can win $1,000 toward their education in a scholarship program co-presented by Keeneland and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association at Keeneland's College Day, Friday, Oct. 15.

KTA/KTOB Announces Results of Election

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders has completed its election for directors for 2004-2005.

KTA Contributes $100,000 to Support KEEP

The Kentucky Equine Education Project received another vote of confidence June 4 when the board of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders contributed $100,000 to KEEP, which was launched in early May.