A Message to Consignors and Sale Participants

For those of you I haven’t had the opportunity to meet, I joined the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) as President and CEO 18 months ago. In that time I’ve attended many major races, toured many farms and breeding operations across the country, and attended several sales – some where I have sold my own horses. I’m a small owner and breeder myself, having grown up peripherally in the industry. My family business is sports, but we also own and operate Shamrock Farm, a breeding operation in Carroll County, Maryland. I’ve been on the Board of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association for many years and my enthusiasm for the sport continues to grow.

It’s been a challenging few months for Thoroughbred racing, and we’ve heard from many of you. I understand the frustrations many of you have expressed, especially with all the negativity that was swirling in the national media. I also understand how these issues can greatly impact your business. I want you to know that the NTRA is working to stand up for all the good things in racing, to change the narrative as much as possible, and to focus on the positives and draw attention to them.

One of these positives we’ve been amplifying is the great story of Jena Antonucci’s success as the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race. I’ve known Jena for a long time and she trains my horses in Florida. She embodies much of what we do right in racing. She cares passionately for her horses. She monitors every aspect of their health, nutrition, and exercise. She treats them with care and caution, as exhibited by her patient handling of Arcangelo, the striking gray who had only raced four times prior to his Belmont win. And it’s stories like Jena’s that we as an industry need to tell.

We also have to push out the facts, much of which does not get covered in the mainstream media. Our sport has reduced the incidence of fatal injuries to its lowest point in the 14-year history of The Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database, 1.25 per 1,000 starts, including a 25% decrease in the last five years. This steady progress will only improve with the continued implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).

The NTRA is here to serve as a voice for the industry, as your voice on a national stage. In the midst of the iconic meets at Del Mar and Saratoga, and as we look ahead to the Breeders’ Cup, we need to present a united front of positive messaging to highlight all the good in Thoroughbred racing. I’m here to do that for you and the rest of the sport. Should you have any input or additional thoughts on the matter, please reach out to me directly.

 

Keep the faith,

 

Tom Rooney

President and CEO

National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA)