MEDIA INQUIRIES

Thoroughbred racing has several media contacts and experts on any issue available to assist in your coverage of our sport and industry.

NTRA Communications

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 horse racing interests charged with increasing the popularity, welfare and integrity of Thoroughbred racing.

NTRA Communications is here to assist media reporting on Thoroughbred racing and the Thoroughbred industry with interviews, background, facts, leads, data and more. In addition to arranging interviews with NTRA executives, we regularly provide journalists with recommendations for other appropriate experts throughout the industry available for comment on a wide range of topics.

Triple Crown racetracks

Churchill Downs: Darren Rogers, Senior Director, Communications and Media Services, darren.rogers@kyderby.com

Pimlico Race Course: David Joseph, Vice President of Communications/Media Relations, david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com

Belmont Park: Pat McKenna, Director of Communications and Media Relations, New York Racing Association

Breeders’ Cup World Championships

Breeders’ Cup Ltd.: Jim Gluckson, jim@breederscup.com

Santa Anita Park (2016 host site): Mike Willman, Director of Publicity

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (2017 host site): Mac McBride, Director of Media, mac@dmtc.com

Turf Publicists of America

The Turf Publicists of America (TPA) is comprised of Thoroughbred racing publicists and marketing executives at racetracks, breeding farms and industry organizations throughout North America with the shared goal of promoting the sport of Thoroughbred racing. Contact the TPA for help identifying an appropriate publicist for any matter related to the Thoroughbred industry, local or national.

MEDIA RESOURCES

Below please find links to trustworthy resources on several matters we are contacted about most frequently.

Racing Statistics

Equibase is the industry-owned database of racing statistics. This is the only official source for information such as entries, results, charts, as well as annual and all-time leaders among horses, owners, trainers and jockeys.

Equineline is the industry’s premiere source for Thoroughbred pedigrees, race records, mare produce records and sire reports.

Information from Equibase and Equineline requiring a subscription for access can often be provided to media free of charge by contacting NTRA Communications.

Industry Statistics

The annual Fact Book is a guide to the Thoroughbred industry in North America compiled by The Jockey Club, the official Thoroughbred registry for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Fact Book is the only reliable source for comprehensive, industry-wide statistics such as foals bred, races run, field sizes, pari-mutuel handle and sales results.

Medication

The Racing Medication & Testing Consortium develops and promotes uniform rules, policies and testing standards at the national level.

Racehorse Injuries and Fatalities

The NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance establishes standards and practices to promote safety and integrity in horseracing and secures their implementation. The Alliance’s full Code of Standards is available here. Thomas J. Rooney, President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, is always available for comment on matters pertaining to the safety of human and equine athletes, as well as the integrity of the sport.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ On Call program makes media-trained equine veterinarians available to answer questions about veterinary medicine and respond to crisis situations. The On Call program is offered during all live-broadcast racing events, including the Triple Crown races and the Breeders’ Cup, and arena events such as the AQHA World Championship Show.

The Equine Injury Database is the industry’s national database of racing injuries and includes comparable annual fatality rates dating back to 2009.

Thoroughbred Aftercare (Racehorse Retirement)

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is an industry-supported nonprofit that accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbred racehorses.

Adjudication and Governance

The Racing Officials Accreditation Program accredits and provides continuing education to racing officials, stewards and judges in the horse racing industry.

Wagering Security

The Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau is a national investigative agency charged with exposing and investigating all activity prejudicial to horse racing and to maintain public confidence in the sport of Thoroughbred racing.