Jason Wilson

I write today after reading the thoughtful letter from Jason Wilson regarding diversity in the Keeneland Sales ring. I'm reminded of a question I first asked sometime during the early 1980's: Why aren't grooms included in the Hall of Fame? This came to mind when I noticed that a yearling my employer (EMO Stables) had pinhooked at the time--Secretary General (by Foolish Pleasure out of Sippican, by Stage Door Johnny)--was running in the first-ever Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 1984. That race was won by Chief's Crown, trained by Roger Laurin...

I am writing with respect to the September 22, 2021 article New Face in the Keeneland Sales Ring. The article invoked the same feelings that I had the first time I went to one of the sales. In the days leading up to this first foray, my colleagues talked up the sales and the good times that they had watching horses sell for more than seven figures and attending the ancillary events that were part of the experience. I went into the arena on that day with high expectations, but...

The University of Louisville Equine Industry Program (EIP), in conjunction with Horse Racing Nation, released its free Fall 2021 speaker series, which will be held in person this year on the UofL campus. The series includes panel discussions on the "Super Card" trend in racing and growing racing through diversity and inclusion. The final event in the series will be an interview with Houston business owner, philanthropist and horse owner Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale. The events will be held from 5:30-6:45p.m., and will be broadcast live on the Horse Racing...

1/ST CONTENT, the operating group for all of 1/ST's media and content companies, announced the appointment of Jason Wilson as Chief Operating Officer. Wilson will work directly with Aidan Butler, President, 1/ST CONTENT, to further develop and align the company's North American and international content businesses. He will focus on innovating Thoroughbred racing content programs and building competitive customer platforms. "I am thrilled to have Jason, a well-known and knowledgeable industry executive who shares our vision for the future of our sport, as part of the 1/ST team," said Butler....

Despite a press release in late August from Equibase in which the company announced it would be conducting an "extensive analysis" of its Gmax timing system, the technology has continued to produce a number of inaccurate times at the racetracks it services. The TDN has found recent examples from Del Mar, Tampa Bay Downs and Penn National that show there were problems with the Gmax timing of the races. Gmax, which is operated in the U.S. by Equibase, relies on Global Positioning System (GPS) to record times, as well as...

As many people in the United States and around the world question their personal views on diversity and racial inclusion, we decided to look inwardly on our industry, and we found it wanting. So we asked a tough question to several industry members- How do we make racing at its highest level more diverse? JASON WILSON, President and COO of Equibase  I am keenly aware that I am the only African-American in the executive ranks of horse racing. I used to joke that Equibase's advertising meeting was the most diverse...

I am writing in response to the Open Letter to the Industry by the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation (TDN, April 18) : This has been a challenging time for horse racing and the country as a whole. As sports shut down last month, Equibase examined what it could do to help support efforts to promote horse racing. With expanded television coverage on FOX Sports and NBC Sports, potential new fans are being exposed to horse racing in unprecedented ways. We have been working with NYRA to provide free past performance products...

Officials at Equibase Company LLC have announced that it has Axcis Information Inc. (TrackMaster), a wholly owned subsidiary, has entered into an agreement with American Teletimer Corporation (ATC) to acquire the latter's timing assets. ATC is a leading provider of timing, photo finish and video content for Thoroughbred, Standardbred and Greyhound racing and the company will retain the photo finish and television production segments of their business. TrackMaster will take over ATC's timing operations at 52 Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks in the U.S. The deal is expected to close this...