appointment

The board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) unanimously voted to appoint owner/trainer Mark Glatt to fill a vacancy on the board created by the recent resignation of longtime board member Rick Gold. After studying at Western Washington University, Glatt began training Thoroughbreds in 1995, handling a second string for his father at Yakima Meadows. The following year, he moved to Golden Gate Fields in Northern California; and in 2000 he relocated to Southern California. He has amassed more than 1,200 wins and career earnings of over...

William Alempijevic has been named Chief Operating Officer of AmWager.com, according to AmWest Entertainment LLC Tuesday. As COO, Alempijevic will oversee AmWager.com's operational strategies with a focus on leveraging technology to enhance user experiences. He will also head business development by maintaining and building supportive relationships both within and outside the horse racing industry. With a career that spans over two decades in the industry, Alempijevic formerly served as Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and in various strategic positions within the New York Racing Association (NYRA)....

Tony Calo has been named the new track announcer at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Monday. The North California native, who replaces the departing Scott Shapiro, will continue to serve as the announcer at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming in addition to a handicapping analyst at Churchill Downs. Aside from his duties as an announcer, Calo will join Joe Kristufek, Kaitlin Free and, newly-promoted handicapping analyst, Kevin Kilroy on the Churchill Downs simulcast feed for the Spring, September and Fall Meets. "I'm honored to become the...

Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, has been named deputy executive director of The Jockey Club, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Jockey Club James L. Gagliano announced Wednesday. In this added role, Haydon, who will be responsible for industry engagement, will report to The Jockey Club Executive Vice President and Executive Director Matt Iuliano. Haydon will engage with the industry on initiatives of the company and foster collaboration among industry organizations on health, safety, and promotion of the Thoroughbred. Among his field duties, he will...

Frank Gabriel, who has served as the New York Racing Association's Sr. Vice President of Racing Operations since 2022, has resigned, effective Feb. 18, it was announced Thursday. Andrew Offerman will succeed Gabriel as NYRA's Sr. Vice President of Racing and Operations. "On behalf of NYRA and the broader racing community in New York, I thank Frank Gabriel for his many contributions to NYRA and to Thoroughbred racing," said David O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. "Because of Frank's hard work during a period of great transition, NYRA continues to be...

Kim Weir, former major gifts fundraiser at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, has joined Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (THS) as Director of Strategic Growth. Weir will work closely with Dr. Erin Sisk, Co-Founder of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, and the THS Board of Directors and staff to develop and implement a strategic growth plan for the Saratoga Springs-based impact sector organization. Weir duties will include development the THS fundraising strategy and expanding the engagement of the organization's herd of retired racehorses through therapy and program utilization "I am certain that our...

Former Ontario politician Monte McNaughton will join Woodbine Entertainment as Executive Vice President, Industry Relations and People Experience, it was announced Tuesday. McNaughton, who was most recently Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for the Province of Ontario, has served in public office for more than 15 years and was a Member of Provincial Parliament since 2011. "We have an opportunity to expand our business in a way that benefits Ontario's horse racing industry and the families depending on it. I believe Monte's expertise and leadership will guide...

Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors has appointed long-time executive in the horse racing industry Hugh Mitchell as Chair, effective immediately. Mitchell was appointed to the position during Woodbine Entertainment's Annual General Meeting earlier Friday. As Chair of the Board of Directors, Mitchell will provide leadership, guidance and governance as Woodbine Entertainment fulfills its mandate to sustain and grow horse racing in Ontario. This includes further strengthening the racing product at Woodbine and Woodbine Mohawk Park. Mitchell, who has been on Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors since 2018, was most recently...

Sean Tugel has joined Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners as the company's Vice President of Bloodstock. Tugel, whose responsibilities will be broad-based, as his role will encompass the day-to-day operation of the stable and partnership company, will also be tasked with expanding Eclipse's holdings into various sectors of the industry. "Sean brings to Eclipse an extraordinary depth of experience in all realms of the thoroughbred business" Eclipse President and Founder, Aron Wellman stated. "As Eclipse continues to grow domestically and abroad in Europe and Australia, it is essential that we continue to...

Bob Blackburn has been named the new track superintendent at Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack and Hotel. His previous stints include 15 years at Remington Park, 10 years overseeing track maintenance at an Ocala, Florida Thoroughbred Farm and track superintendent at Bandera Downs and Manor Downs in Texas. "I am blessed and excited for this new opportunity in Iowa working at Prairie Meadows," Blackburn said. "Working at racetracks has always been a love of mine, which started in Texas growing up around my dad's Quarter Horses to my experiences either at...

Andy Howard has been appointed Yearling Manager at Lane's End Farm. He will be taking over Peter Sheehan's role--Sheehan is now the stallion manager. "Andy has been a key part of our success with yearlings and will be an important asset on our team moving forward," said Bill Farish of Lane's End. "We are extremely confident in his ability to manage such a fundamental part of our operation." Howard worked as an assistant in the Versailles, Kentucky farm's yearling division since 2013. Notable yearlings he has helped raise are GI...

Jockey James Reveley has joined digital sale platform ThoroughBid as the company's National Hunt Consignment Agent in France. Based in France for the past 15 years, the 2016 French Champion National Hunt Jockey has won 11 Grade 1 races and has won the G1 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris three times (2016-18). Ross Alberto, Co-founder of ThoroughBid, said, "We're thrilled to have James Reveley working with us. His experience will prove invaluable in sourcing top-quality horses from across the Channel, and as we head into our second sale on Sunday, 24th,...