William S. Farish Jr. will return as the chairman of the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Political Action Committee, the NTRA announced Feb. 11.Other returning "Horse PAC" board members are Case Clay, Terry Finley, Ben Haggin, Lucy Young Hamilton, John C. Harris, and F. Jack Liebau Jr. New to the board are Jerry Shields, Bob Elliston, and Terry Meyocks. NTRA Commissioner D. G. Van Clief Jr. serves as an ex-officio director. Gregory C. Avioli, NTRA executive vice president of legislative and corporate planning, is the PAC president. "After just two years, the NTRA's political action committee is in the top 10 percent of all federal PACs," said Van Clief. "We are pleased with the progress we have made in growing horse racing's power base in Washington, D.C." "The Horse PAC Board is an outstanding group of seasoned fundraisers," said Avioli. "The board members have demonstrated skills at building relationships with members of Congress and their industry peers who support proactive legislation for Thoroughbred racing and breeding." The 2005 Horse PAC Board convened for the first time on Feb. 3 in Lexington, Ky.
Horse PAC makes targeted contributions to federal political candidates who support lower taxes for horse owners, breeders, and players and protection of account and Internet wagering for horse racing. During the 2003/2004 election cycle, Horse PAC raised more than $725,000. Fifty-six of 58 PAC-supported candidates were re-elected in 2004.