Today, on the heels of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-03), Rep. Don Davis (NC-01), and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA), a bipartisan, bicameral effort to deliver a constitutional solution to safety regulation in the horse racing industry. The legislation is backed by [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
(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 [...]
Spikezone winning Parx's $75,000 Let's Give Thanks Stakes on Nov. 27 under Mychel Sanchez (Photo by Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO) Spikezone, who overcame a second round of knee surgery to go 11 for 14 as a 5-year-old, has been named the National HBPA’s National Claiming Horse of the Year for 2024. The gelding’s 11 wins [...]
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) finds it necessary to address a recent press release picked up by several media outlets regarding decoupling from live racing. The press release from Gulfstream Park ("1/ST") contains inaccuracies pertaining to the Gulfstream horsemen and their affiliation. The NHBPA wishes to clarify that the Gulfstream horsemen’s association is [...]
The interactive, electronic version of The Horsemen’s Journal’s Winter 2024 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: Back to the Bluegrass The Claiming Crown returned to Kentucky for a successful 26th renewal at [...]