ftha

The Gulfstream-based Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (FTHA) awarded 16 college scholarships to children of qualified Florida-licensed backstretch employees and trainers Tuesday, the organization announced. To date, the FTHA, which aims to "foster, promote and improve business conditions in the racing industry", has given more than $400,000 in scholarships through the Kent Stirling Scholarship Program. "This is a fitting tribute to Kent, who devoted his life to our industry and to its people," said FTHA President Joe Orseno. "He was diligent in his efforts on behalf of the owners and trainers,...

Officials at the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association have announced the results of the Board of Directors election, which were finalized Mar. 14. Elections are held annually, and the term of all Directors is three years. The Board is elected by the Association members via secret ballot. A Board of no fewer than 11 and no more than 15 Directors supervises the FTHA and each year, five positions are filled on a rotating basis. For 2024, Incumbent Owner/Directors Chester Bishop, Jonathan Green, and Teresa Palmer were re-elected.  Incumbent Trainer/Director Ron Spatz...

Overnight purses for the upcoming Spring/Summer Meet at Gulfstream Park will be increased in all categories from open handicaps to $6,250 claiming races with conditions. Open handicap purses will rise from $60,000 last season to $74,000; $6,250 claiming races with conditions will jump from $17,000 to $20,000; open allowances will be $10,000 higher than 2023 levels, ranging from $61,000 to $63,000; entry-level allowances for Florida-breds will increase from $43,000 to $48,000; maiden special weight races will increase by $10,000 to $60,000; maiden special weight races for Florida-breds will go up...

The Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (FTHA)'s Kent Stirling Scholarship Program will award $44,500 in grants to 13 students for the 2023-24 academic year. The students are Luis Agudelo, Juan Chavez, Helen Collazo, Liseli Coy, Ronald Coy, Wilkenson Eugene, Natalie Fawkes, Jessica Flores, Vanesa Hernandez, Justin Morales, Joli Russo, Ana Ruiz, and Isabel Ruiz. They will be studying for various degrees, including in business, law, medicine, computer science, culinary arts, drama, and forensic science. "We are delighted to be awarding FTHA Kent Stirling Scholarships to 13 students--the most ever," said Kathy...

Florida lawmakers passed a tax package May 5 that includes significant support for the state's Thoroughbred industry. With the support of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo; Senator Blaise Ingoglia, the Finance and Tax Chair; and Senator Jason Pizzo; House Speaker Paul Renner; Representative Stan McClain, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee; and Representative Lawrence McClure, chair of the State Affairs Committee; as well as Wilton Simpson, Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture, the package includes $27.5 million annually for two years to bolster purses and racing awards at Gulfstream Park and...

In an effort to further enhance the 2-year-old program in the state of Florida, 1/ST RACING, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA), Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (FTHA) have announced that $1.75 million in Florida-bred racing incentives will be offered at Gulfstream Park in 2023. The renewed Florida-Bred Incentive Fund (FBIF) will pay out a total of $450,000 in bonus money to 2-year-old maiden winners. The FBIF program offers Florida-bred two-year-old open maiden winners a minimum bonus of $2,500 for maiden-claiming races and up to $10,000 for a Florida-bred...

A total of seven candidates have been nominated for the upcoming 2023 FTHA Election, to be held Mar. 15, 2023. Nominations were submitted during the FTHA's annual General Nominating Meeting and Awards Dinner at Gulfstream Jan. 7. The seven candidates are: OWNERS Gerardo Amado Tom Cannell David Geofroy Jeffrey Siskin TRAINERS Patrick Biancone Jorge Delgado David Fawkes The Florida THA is supervised and managed by a Board between 11 to 15 Directors. Six seats are reserved for Owner/Directors, and six seats are reserved for Trainer/Directors. Three Directors may be either...

The Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association held its annual General Nominating Meeting and Awards Dinner Jan. 7 at Gulfstream Park, hosting more than 100 guests at Ten Palms. FTHA President Joe Orseno, completing his first term in the role, provided the assemblage with a look back at an eventful 2022. The culmination of the evening was the presentation of the 2022 FTHA Awards. Host Ron Nicoletti announced the winners in 11 categories, including the newly added Champion Tapeta Horse and Champion Tapeta Filly/Mare. Raina Gunderson was chosen as the 2022 "Person...

To help the exercise riders at Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows comply with HISA regulations, the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (FTHA) and 1S/T Racing have joined forces to launch the Safety Equipment Voucher Program. The program will provide a $200 voucher toward the purchase of each helmet and a $200 voucher toward the purchase of each vest that is defective or not up to code to offset the cost of replacing equipment. Under HISA regulations, safety equipment is subject to inspection, and all helmets must meet one of the following...