ST Publishing announced Monday the formation of The Times, a new publication that will focus on the equestrian sports of steeplechase racing and eventing. The move combines ST's two publications Steeplechase and Eventing Times, and will take effect at the start of the 2006 publishing season in March.The Times will have a combined circulation of 10,000, including a base of paid subscribers plus free distribution at steeplechase race meets, three-day events, racetracks, tack shops, restaurants, hotels and other points. The distribution area centers primarily on the Mid-Atlantic states and the East Coast, but will include other areas of the country that follow both sports. The first edition will be out in early March with subsequent editions dated April 14, May 5, May 19, June 16, July 14, September 15, October 13, October 27, November 10, November 24 and December 15."The change gives ST Publishing greater flexibility and a better product for readers and advertisers," said Sean Clancy, ST's publisher along with his brother Joe. "We are excited about reaching out to a bigger readership and to providing the editorial coverage our readers have come to appreciate."
American steeplechase racing includes 35 one-day race meets and visits to some of the country's finest racetracks. The National Steeplechase Association sanctions the racing, which features annual purses in excess of $5 million. Eventing combines the disciplines of dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping. Highlights of the American eventing season include Rolex Kentucky in Lexington, Ky. and the Fair Hill International in Maryland. Internationally, eventers compete in the Olympics and other world competitions. ST Publishing began in 1994 with the launch of Steeplechase Times as a part-time venture for Clancy and his brother Joe. Sean was a steeplechase jockey at the time, while Joe was a freelance writer and the sports editor of a daily newspaper in Elkton, Md. The recipient of recognition from the American Horse Publications, Steeplechase Times in turn spawned other publishing projects. The company is based in Fair Hill, Md. near the headquarters of the National Steeplechase Association, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, Fasig-Tipton Midlantic and the Fair Hill equestrian center.In addition to The Times, ST Publishing is responsible for The Saratoga Special, a daily newspaper about Thoroughbred racing in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; the Thoroughbred Racing Calendar, a full-color wall calendar featuring the stars of Thoroughbred racing; "Saratoga Days", a book by Sean Clancy; "American Steeplechasing", an annual hard-cover book about U.S. jump racing; as well as public-relations consulting and various other ventures.