The first quarter of 2025 has been nothing short of a tsunami for most of us in the industry. We entered the year with hopes of turning the page, making positive strides and setting the industry on the right path. Then came January 7. While the events of that date didn’t bring our industry [...]
Training at Gulfstream Park. (Eric Hamelback photo) The horsemen’s organization representing thoroughbred owners and trainers at Gulfstream Park is rejoining the National HBPA as an affiliate. The board of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, North America’s largest group representing thoroughbred owners and trainers, unanimously approved re-admitting the organization currently called the [...]
Sally Jane Mixon by Denis Blake/National HBPA The annual National HBPA Conference concluded its educational presentations Wednesday morning first with a session on how retired racehorses are transforming the lives of first responders and military members, as well as school children of backstretch workers. The final presentation showcased products using cutting edge technology to [...]
Equine attorney Jay Ingle. (Denis Blake/National HBPA) Two different panel discussions on Tuesday's opening day of the National HBPA Conference — one featuring lawyers and one with research veterinarians — recommended steps trainers can take to diminish the chances of a horse's post-race drug test coming up positive for an impermissible substance. [...]
Thayer delivering the keynote address at the National HBPA Conference (Photo by Denis Blake/National HBPA) Video of Thayer's keynote address Damon Thayer, who recently completed a 22-year tenure in the Kentucky State Senate, knows a thing or two about making a pitch from the pulpit. His theme when he delivered the keynote address [...]
Ocala Stud general manager David O'Farrell, president of the new Thoroughbred Racing Initiative The Thoroughbred Racing Initiative — an industry collaboration created to fight for live horse racing in Florida and elsewhere in the United States — officially launched today. The TRI’s immediate mission is to bring the Thoroughbred industry together to provide funding and [...]
Horsemen and racing enthusiasts who live in or have business interests in Florida, we need your help NOW! Take 30 seconds to send a message to Florida Senate that decoupling is a jobs and industry-killer. Even if you've already participated in one of our campaigns, this is a new one that sends a prepared letter to [...]
(Damon Thayer photo courtesy Kentucky Legislative Research Commission) As did Kentucky, Florida legislature should bet on live racing HB 105 would cripple industry's $3.24 billion impact, 33.5K jobs By Damon Thayer The Florida State Legislature is facing a crossroads similar to what we in Kentucky’s General Assembly faced in early 2021. At [...]
National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback (Photo by Gwen Davis) Horse racing is woven into the cultural and economic fabric of Florida as well as the United States. For generations, our sport has brought communities together, created jobs, served as the foundation for vibrant local economies and sparked an economic-driving industry. However, the proposed [...]
Conference registration and more information Q&A with Damon Thayer on HBPA.org Damon Thayer — who served as one of horse racing’s foremost champions during his 22-year tenure in the Kentucky General Assembly — will be the keynote speaker at the National HBPA Conference Feb. 25-27 in in Safety Harbor, Fla. Thayer will address the [...]