Owner and trainer William E. "Billy" Morey had been added to the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, filling a vacancy created recently by the resignation of Ron McAnally.
The Northern California-based Morey was elected to the board by unanimous vote from the other directors. Morey, 38, is the son of trainer William J. Morey Jr., for whom he was an assistant before opening his own public stable in 2001.
TOC is the official organization of owners in the state.
With a barn of 30 to 50 horses, Morey has enjoyed significant success throughout California. He was leading trainer for the 2008 Golden Gate Fields fall meet. In 2010, he became one of the youngest trainers to hit the 1,000-win mark. His stakes winners include Trapper, Penny Ante, Don Jaun Con, Stone Rain, Press Camp, Scrumpy, Hudson Landing, and Positive Response. A native of Redwood City, Calif., Morey resides in Point Richmond with his wife, Elizabeth.
“We are very pleased to welcome Billy Morey, and feel that, with his involvement and experience as a trainer in both the north and the south, he can offer a unique perspective to the TOC board,” said chairman Mike Pegram. “Billy will be at our next board meeting in December, and I’m certain he will get quickly up to speed.”
“I am excited to join the TOC board,” said Morey. “And I am looking forward to helping in whatever way I can to improve racing in both Northern and Southern California.”