With the capabilities of drug-testing labs becoming ever more sensitive, a panel at the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association convention March 16 in New Orleans called for changes in rules, regulation, and on the backstretch.
The Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association supports state legislation that would make changes to its aftercare program that the organization believes will lead to greater participation.
As one tote company executive sees it, should expanded sports wagering soon become reality, horse racing needs to make sure those sports bettors place their wagers onsite at racetracks or online at advance-deposit wagering outlets.
Courses will be held at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Okla.
National HBPA Applauds Pari-Mutuel Withholding Changes
With a Kentucky judge agreeing with many concerns about equine medication and testing policies raised in recent years by horsemen, the industry group that shapes that policy—the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium—defended its approach.
A model rule that aims to ensure horses on a vet's list in one jurisdiction are unable to compete in another jurisdiction before being removed from the initial vet's list became reality April 20.
Nominations for the second Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, principally sponsored by Godolphin, open May 8. They can be submitted until Aug. 1.
Dr. Andy Roberts, speaking March 11 at the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's convention, said an out-of-competition rule approved by the Association of Racing Commissioners International could have unintended impact.
Racing's economic model was discussed as advance-deposit wagering continues to account for a larger share of pari-mutuel handle.
The company that launched the first betting exchange in the United States, Betfair US, believes its first year performance offers some encouraging trends for the industry.
The HBPA is the world's largest organization representing Thoroughbred owners and trainers, with close to 30,000 members across the United States and Canada.
The National HBPA Foundation and HBPA state affiliates are rallying to assist trainer Eric Reed and his wife, owner Kay Reed, after 23 horses in their care were killed in an early-morning barn fire Sunday.
Corey Johnsen, president and part-owner of Kentucky Downs, will give the keynote address at the National HBPA's 2017 convention March 8-11 at Las Vegas' South Point Hotel and Casino.
Tom Metzen Sr., a tireless worker for horsemen in Arizona, Minnesota, and across the country, died Aug. 10. He was 78.
Kentucky Downs and Laurel Park will host automatic qualifying races for this year's Claiming Crown, which is scheduled for Dec. 3 at Gulfstream Park.
Godolphin announced May 3 the launch of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, in partnership with the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and The Jockey Club.
The barn area at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., sustained extensive damage and two horses were injured when a tornado hit the area March 30.
Gulfstream Park, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), and National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) announced the Claiming Crown will continue to be held at Gulfstream through 2018.
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium Feb. 19 issued an overview of its procedures in setting withdrawal times and drug-testing threshold levels after the National HBPA said it would pursue its own research.
An organization formed to represent the interests of racetrack veterinarians has become proactive in the area of research into therapeutic medications and continues to make its case that vets should be part of drug reform.
The National HBPA Feb. 6 said it plans to help fund research to develop administration and testing guidelines that could be incorporated into the Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule.
Achieving true uniformity in equine medication and testing goes well beyond basic adoption of model rules, according to attorneys, horsemen, and veterinarians who picked apart the current system Feb. 5.
The ARCI plans an industry congress for the end of this year to develop consensus on equine medication and testing given its belief Congress won't be anywhere close to acting on legislation introduced last year.
The impact big bettors have on pari-mutuel handle and the resulting revenue, as well as the need to recognize that horse owners are bettors, too, was the focus of a Feb. 4 forum during the National HBPA convention in Florida.
Calls for unity in moving the horseracing industry forward kicked off the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association convention Feb. 4 in Clearwater Beach, Fla.
Medication, legislation, aftercare, and the importance of media awareness are among the topics to be discussed during the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association winter convention Feb. 3-7 in Florida.
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is the latest organization to endorse the American Horse Council's Welfare Code of Practice, the AHC reported Dec. 3.
Horsemen's groups are rallying to head off a move to decouple live racing from casino-style gambling at pari-mutuel facilities in Florida. Currently, tracks with slot machines must also offer live racing.
Thoroughbred Owners of California announced Oct. 20 that Nick Coukos has accepted the position of president.
The committee narrowed down three finalists, and ultimately selected St. Borealis as the inaugural Claiming Crown Horse of the Year.
Leroy Gessmann, president of the Iowa Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, was elected president of the National HBPA Aug. 9 when the board of directors met as part of the organization's summer convention.
When the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association meets Aug. 6-9 for its summer convention, equine medication will again be a major issue for the organization.
Gulfstream Park announced July 15 it will kick off its 2015-2016 Championship Meet Dec. 5 with the 17th running of the Claiming Crown, a slate of races with purses totaling $1.1 million.
The National HBPA, which has about 30 affiliate horsemen's groups and about 30,000 members, said May 29 said it has questions regarding a federal lawmaker's plan to introduce legislation to regulate drug rules and testing.
Industry organizations May 1 came out in opposition to legislation that would repeal the Interstate Horseracing Act because of alleged cheating in horse racing, with one group calling it a shameless publicity stunt.
The National HBPA announced Monday, April 20 that it had appointed Eric Hamelback as new chief executive officer beginning immediately. The former Adena Springs Kentucky general manager replaces Phil Hanrahan.
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association said Feb. 20 it has begun its search for a replacement for chief executive officer Phil Hanrahan, who stepped down effective Feb. 15.
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association ended its winter convention Feb. 8 with a new affiliate and a call for the organization to take more of a leadership role in the industry.
Though the Association of Racing Commissioners International remains a member of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, it intends to take the lead role in gathering the information needed to set medication policies.
The umbrella group for regulators in North America is examining a new approach to out-of-competition testing that would not only target blood doping and gene doping, but also identify horses at risk of catastrophic injury.
The Stronach Group remains optimistic about the future of the horse racing industry in North America and will continue to push for what it believes are fundamental structural changes needed to move the business forward.
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association will address a number of issues during its winter convention Feb. 4-8 in Carefree, Ariz., as well as hear from a key executive with The Stronach Group.
The Groom Elite Program is undergoing a restructuring to meet increased demand for its services, officials said Jan. 15.
While other concepts in the Thoroughbred business failed to come to fruition, and other racing events came, went, were scrapped, and are generally forgotten, the Claiming Crown survived and actually has grown.
The nomination deadline for horses for the eight Claiming Crown races scheduled for Dec. 6 at Gulfstream Park is Nov. 8, and the supplemental nomination deadline is Dec. 3, officials said.
The Claiming Crown has dropped its trainer nomination program and has altered the lineup for the eight-race series to be held Dec. 6 at Gulfstream Park.
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Foundation, in conjunction with the Kentucky HBPA, presented trainer Gerry Carwood with a check for $7,000 in emergency assistance aid May 22.
The National HBPA said April 11 it supports changes made by the Association of Racing Commissioners International in regard to uniform medication regulations.
When is a scientific study not a scientific study? That was a question posed by several panelists during a two-hour session on medication Jan. 25 during the National HBPA winter convention.
