Matt Koch

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America has honored Dan Fick with its RTCA Community Service Award and David Pope with its RTCA White Horse Award. Fick has served in leadership positions with numerous organizations, including The Jockey Club, American Quarter Horse Association, various state racing commissions, Winners Federation, Groom Elite, Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, and many others. He was instrumental in establishing the Racing Officials Accreditation Program. With decades of service to the chaplaincy, Fick has helped to craft the organization. He served on the RTCA National Board as President...

One day after Kentucky's state senate adopted a resolution by voice vote to urge a review of the HISA funding methodology, the Kentucky House of Representatives did the same. House Resolution 98, "A resolution expressing concerns regarding the unintended consequences of the current funding methodology of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act," was adopted by a voice vote in the House. The resolution was sponsored by Republican representative Matthew Koch, and Democratic representative Al Gentry. The language is identical to that of its companion resolution in the Senate, contained...

by Sara Gordon and Katie Petrunyak Many of the nearly 250 people attending the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club's (KTFMC) monthly meeting, held Tuesday evening at the Keeneland sales pavilion, were unfamiliar with the unregulated and untaxed gaming machines known as "gray machines." The risk these gray machines pose to historical horse racing (HHR) gaming and the state's horse racing industry as a whole were the main topic of the meeting that included a discussion and Q and A session of Central Kentucky legislators. In a panel moderated by the...

by Matt Koch Editor's Note: In honor of Veterans Day and the 247th birthday of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), celebrated Nov. 11 and Nov. 10, respectively, we are honored to share this story from USMC Captain Matt Koch of Shawhan Place, a second-generation Marine following his father, longtime Claiborne Farm manager Robert "Gus" Koch. Matt, who will be honored next month as the 2022 Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC), is also the state representative of the 72nd district...

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC) has chosen Shawhan Place's Matthew Koch as the 2022 Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year. The honor is given annually to a farm manager "who has demonstrated quality and success in their management role; service to the community; involvement in the KTFMC; and industry leadership and dedication." "I am thrilled to hear Matthew has won this prestigious award," said Teddy Kuster, co-owner of Shawhan Place and the 1986 KTFMC Farm Manager of the Year. "The club has meant a lot to Matt's...

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) announced that it will host a horse industry advocacy event at Midway University Tuesday, Sept. 6, from 5-7 p.m. Participants in Kentucky's signature horse industry are invited to attend to learn about legislative issues that can impact their equine business, how to engage in the legislative process, and how to best communicate with lawmakers. In addition to representatives from KEEP and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, speakers include Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, Senate Minority Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas and Representative Matt Koch. Candidates...

As somebody remarked at the time, on seeing B. Wayne Hughes and M.V. Magnier deep in conversation one morning before the 2019 Breeders' Cup: "I'll give you 140 guesses what they're talking about."

A colt from the first crop of Grade I winner Cupid (Hip 3391) topped Wednesday's trade when selling for $200,000 to bloodstock agent Larry Zap, who was acting on behalf of Michael Mellen. The topper and the day's third-highest purchase, a son of fellow first-season sire American Freedom (Hip 3196), were both sold by Shawhan Place, who was the session's leading consignor by average. "Both of them are big, strong colts, especially the Cupid," said Shawhan's Matt Koch. "He is a good walking colt. We foaled and raised him at...