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(Gwen Davis/Davis Innovation photo of Hamelback) From National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback: The recent article in The Seattle Times detailing the potential closure of Emerald Downs by 2026 should provide a stark warning to everyone in horse racing of the detrimental impact that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and its enforcement [...]
from the Spring 2025 issue of The Horsemen's Journal By Hannah Hamelback Photos by John Engelhardt Precarious Man fit the popular Thoroughbred look: dark bay, with a black mane and tail, a chiseled head on a long neck and a lean body with deep, muscular shoulders. On the morning of February 3, 1988, Precarious [...]
The interactive, electronic version of The Horsemen’s Journal’s Spring 2025 issue is now available online. It is an enhanced version of the printed magazine, which is currently being mailed. To view it, click here. Features in the issue include: The Backbone of the Stable Award-winning Turf writer, publicist Jennie Rees continues to advocate for horses [...]
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 [...]