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Sheinman Named to Breeders' Cup Position

Drew Sheinman has been named to the position of senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Breeders' Cup Ltd.

AHC Forum to Focus on 'Healthy Horses'

The focus of this year's American Horse Council National Issues Forum will be "A Healthy Horse, A Healthy Industry," officials recently announced.

National Bus Tour Planned for Horse Racing

America's Best Racing will launch a national bus tour next year in an effort to heighten interest in Thoroughbred racing's biggest days.

Edwards Named Churchill VP of Marketing

At Churchill Downs, Edwards will oversee the development and implementation of marketing, branding, and social media strategies for Churchill Downs' live racing meets.

Jockey Club: Marketing Relies on Integrity

The Jockey Club intends to continue with its efforts to market Thoroughbred racing and develop new patrons, but the organization's leader said Aug. 12 those efforts must go hand in hand with medication and penalty reforms.

Portland Re-Brands for Summer/Fall Meet

Officials enlisted a local design agency to re-brand Portland Meadows, which will embark on summer racing July 15.

Deal Would Give Canterbury $75M for Purses

Canterbury Park Holding Corp. and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community struck a 10-year "cooperative marketing agreement" by which the tribe will funnel $75 million in purses to the Minnesota racetrack.

Breeders' Cup Unveils New Brand Campaign

The Breeders' Cup on May 29 unveiled its new brand campaign, The Best is Yet to Come, set to launch across all Breeders' Cup marketing platforms.

Breeders' Cup Hoping 'Best Is Yet to Come'

Breeders' Cup marketing will have new look in the lead up to the 2012 World Championships at Santa Anita Park.

Committee Will Examine Gural Slots Proposal

The United States Trotting Association has formed a committee to examine a proposal to use a small percentage of gaming revenue to support marketing and enhanced equine drug testing, but stopped short of endorsing the plan.

Youthful View: Racing Can Grow If It Adapts

Several of the younger racetrack executives in the United States and overseas believe horse racing isn't going away any time soon--if the industry can adapt.

Television on Agenda at Simulcast Conference

Racing on television will be the focus of the closing session during the Oct. 5 closing session of the 19th Annual Simulcast Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz.

It Pays to Advertise - By Jim Benton

Just study what advertising has done for basketball, football, baseball, and, yes, professional wrestling

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Pope: Reward Horses Generating Handle

Thoroughbred industry marketer Fred Pope outlines a plan to reward the owners of the most popular horses with bonus purse money.

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Racing, Promote Thyself - By Stacy Bearse

The consequences of ignoring a national marketing initiative won't be pretty.

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Firm Hired to Promote Derby, Oaks

Churchill Downs Inc. for the first time has hired a marketing and communications company to promote the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), it was announced Dec. 16.

NTRA: Reaching a New Generation

After a three-year hiatus, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Marketing Summit was brought to the forefront of a growing list of necessary steps toward creating a better industry. The three day conference, held Sept. 21-23 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, covered a variety of topics, from reaching new generations of fans, to discussing updates on several NTRA programs and initiatives.

British Bloodstock Marketing to Increase

British marketing of bloodstock will step up a gear to try and challenge the Irish and French dominance in this area. The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA), which represents the interests of breeders in the United Kingdom, has shifted resources to focus more on the promotion and marketing of the British bloodstock.

NTRA to Host Marketing Summit

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.

UPS Becomes Big Brown Marketing Partner

A recent agreement with IEAH Stables and jockey Kent Desormeaux has UPS serving as the exclusive marketing partner for Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Big Brown, the delivery company announced in a May 9 press release.

Industry Growth Said to Need Cooperation

Because lack of growth appears to be one of the many issues plaguing the horse industry, the Kentucky International Equine Summit in Lexington hosted an April 28 seminar to tackle the topic and seek solutions.

Monmouth Not Typical First-Time Breeders' Cup Host

The first two-day World Championships has created opportunities and challenges for Breeders' Cup and first-time host Monmouth Park.

Breeders' Cup Hires Chief Marketing Officer

Peter Land, former global managing director of the international public relations firm Edelman, has been named chief marketing officer of Breeders' Cup, officials announced Oct. 1.

Suffolk Downs Launches Local Marketing Campaign

Suffolk Downs has launched a comprehensive advertising campaign, including television and radio featuring local and national celebrities, as part of a significantly increased effort to market the Thoroughbred racetrack in Boston.

Arlington Names Kiehn VP of Sales, Marketing, and Guest Services

Arlington Park president Roy Arnold announced April 9 that Ken Kiehn has been named as vice president of sales, marketing and guest services for the Illinois track.

Marketing, Slots Getting Push in Maryland

The head of a new Maryland panel designed to better market horse racing said he expects the state legislature to reach consensus on slot-machine legislation next year.

Racing & Gaming Symposium Agenda Announced

The University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program has announced its agenda for the 2006 Symposium on Racing & Gaming to be held Dec. 4-7 at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson.

Youbet.com, Louisiana Downs Have Marketing Agreement

Youbet.com and Harrah's Louisiana Downs have joined forces on a multi-year program that will make the online wagering company the official wagering provider for the Bossier City, La., racetrack.

Cullen to Head Adena Springs Marketing Efforts

Jim Cullen, president of Cullen Bloodstock in Lexington, has been hired as director of marketing for Adena Springs Farm.

Tampa Bay Management Duo Promoted

Tampa Bay Downs announced Monday that Margo Flynn has been promoted to vice president of marketing and publicity and Greg Gelyon has been named vice president of finance.

Ray Joins Ellis Park as Marketing Director

Jennifer Ray has been appointed director of marketing at Ellis Park. Ray, who held the same position at Louisiana Downs for the past 17 years, replaces Bob Cunningham, who recently resigned due to relocation.

Change Looms for NTRA, Breeders' Cup Moving Forward

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Breeders' Cup are well under way in mapping out a long-range strategy that apparently will bring changes in programs and goals as they seek a larger share of the entertainment, sports, and gambling marketplaces.

Santa Anita Park Gets New Marketing Executive

Michael Gilligan has been hired as the new vice president of marketing and sales for Santa Anita Park, parent company Magna Entertainment Corp. announced Sept. 7.

Another Churchill Project: Marketing the New Suites

The fall meet at Churchill Downs may not begin until Oct. 26, but track officials having been wooing prospective occupants for the recently completed fifth- and sixth-floors of the new Jockey Club suites, which officially opened Sept. 8.

Kentucky Marketing Horse Industry to Russia

Four agriculture officials from Russia toured horse farms, racetracks, and veterinary clinics the week of Oct. 18 at the invitation of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Youbet.com Hires Exec Away from Disney

Youbet.com has hired Gary Sproule, a former Disney executive, as its chief financial officer. The California online racing and wagering company also announced a marketing agreement with California fairs.

Youbet.com and Maryland Jockey Club Sign Marketing Pact

Youbet.com notched its second leg of the Triple Crown Monday when it signed a two-year marketing and content agreement with the Maryland Jockey Club.

Hitting the Target

By Ray Paulick -- Good news and bad news came out of consumer research made public during the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's fourth annual Marketing Summit recently.

New NTRA TV Ads to Feature Music of ZZ Top, Cyndi Lauper

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association will have another music-based advertising campaign beginning April 1, with an increased emphasis on marketing the sport to women.

Smith Outlines Strategic Goals for NTRA's Phase Two

NTRA commissioner Tim Smith said horse racing's national office will narrow its focus as it enters the initial stages of "phase two," which has new strategic goals.

Smith Outlines New Strategic Goals for NTRA's 'Phase Two'

NTRA commissioner Tim Smith said horse racing's national office will narrow its focus as it enters the initial stages of "phase two," which has new strategic goals.

Poll Shows Increased Interest in Horse Racing

A poll conducted by TNS Research and ESPN indicates the number of people in the United States who said they have an interest in horse racing increased for the second consecutive year.

Sex Sells, But Ad Campaign Was a Quickie

A British Columbia Standardbred track piqued the community's interest with radio advertisements that parodied phone sex, but the campaign won't be back next season. That's not to say the campaign wasn't successful, though.

Policy, Finances Reduce 'America's Day' Numbers

Policy issues and financial considerations have reduced the number of tracks participating in America's Day at the Races, which will be held Labor Day. The event, first held in 1997, could be retooled in the future, a National Thoroughbred Racing Association official said.

Seeing Red

By Evan I. Hammonds -- As it approaches its 18th running, and on the heels of record television numbers from this year's Triple Crown, now is the best time to risk taking the World Thoroughbred Championships out of the art house and into the neighborhood multiplex.

Shaping Opinion

By Mel Moser -- Since the Triple Crown TV ratings were announced, everyone has been offering their opinion on what the ratings really mean. While the significant increases are welcome, they are only tangentially related to the real question.

Horsemen, Track Embark on Marketing Initiative

The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and Ellis Park have embarked on a joint marketing initiative that could lay the groundwork for projects at the state's other racetracks.

California Offers Rebates to Players

The California Marketing Committee, a group of the state's leading racing executives, established a rebate system March 1 that rewards patrons based on their play at California racetracks and offtrack facilities.

NTRA Outlines 2001 Promotional Efforts

At its membership meeting in Lexington, Ky., the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) unveiled plans for its 2001 national consumer promotions.

Marketing Plan for British Racing

Organizers of the first major marketing effort to boost horse racing and encourage betting in Great Britain will spend £10 million over next three years in an attempt to increase racetrack attendance by about one million people, raise off-track betting handle, and increase sponsorships.