Donald Valpredo was elected president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association by the organization's board of directors meeting in Berkeley Feb. 10.
Other executive officers selected by the CTBA board were Harris Auerbach as vice president, Tim Cohen as treasurer, and Sue Greene as secretary.
It was also announced at the meeting that John Barr, Leigh Ann Howard, and Jane Johnson were re-elected to board seats and Edward Freeman won election as the newest member of the board.
Greene had been president for the previous three years but was termed out per association bylaws.
"We have some outstanding and energetic newcomers on the board and one or two old-timers," Valpredo said in a statement released by the CTBA. "To encourage and facilitate the learning process of some younger directors, I inherited the position of once again serving as the president of the CTBA.
"I'm looking forward to the year ahead in working with new members on the executive committee and in implementing some new and directed actions," he added. "This is a big year ahead of us at every level in California breeding and racing with changes in our racing calendar, the realization at the track of the first year of runners from a decline in the foal crop, and many important legislative issues before us."
A native Californian, Valpredo is a lifelong horseman and rancher from Bakersfield, where he partnered with his father, John, on Dimaggio. Valpredo later co-bred California Horse of the Year Soviet Problem with fellow CTBA board member John Harris.
Valpredo served three earlier one-year terms as CTBA president from 1986-88. He is credited with helping conceive the California Cup. He also has served on the California Horse Racing Board, the Breeders' Cup, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, and is a member of The Jockey's Club.
Freeman, a native of England, has trained since 1990 and a breeder in partnership for 20 years. He oversees Paul Reddam's breeding operation at Vessels Stallion Farm.
Donald Valpredo
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