Bill Thomason, who took over as president and chief executive officer at Keeneland Sept. 1, has been named to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors.
The NTRA, based in Lexington, took the action at a Sept. 21 board meeting. The organization also unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing former Keeneland president and CEO Nick Nicholson, who retired from the job.
Nicholson was the first chief operating officer of the NTRA and served on its board for more than 10 years.
The NTRA board now has 10 members representing various associations and organizations: Reynolds Bell Jr., Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; Robert Clay, The Jockey Club; Dennis Drazin, Monmouth Park; Alan Foreman, Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association; Craig Fravel, Breeders' Cup; Ellen McClain, New York Racing Association; Satish Sanan, Breeders' Cup; Pablo Suarez, Thoroughbred Owners of California; Thomason of Keeneland; and Alex Waldrop, NTRA president and CEO.
The board reflects the continued absence of representatives from Churchill Downs Inc. and The Stronach Group, two of the largest racetrack companies in the United States, and the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. They terminated their memberships.
There also is no Western Region racetrack representative. Bob Elliston, formerly executive chairman of the NTRA board representing Turfway Park, left when he took a job as COO of Breeders' Cup earlier this year.