TOBA

Edited Press Release The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association has announced the re-election of Brant Laue as Chairman of its Board of Trustees. Joining Laue on the Board of Trustees is Shannon Bishop Arvin, Jeffrey Bloom, Marette Farrell, Dr. J. David Richardson and Stephen Screnci. Re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Robert Devlin, Terry Finley, Brant Laue, Bernard McCormack, Charlie O'Connor and Garrett O'Rourke. "I am honored to serve another term as chair with this board of trustees," Laue said. "Our great sport has overcome many obstacles and difficulties...

The Sept. 2 With Anticipation S., rained off the turf at Saratoga and onto the main track, was immediately downgraded from Grade III status and to listed status per the policy of the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owner and Breeders Association. Upon review of the race, the AGSC has determined that the original Grade III status of the With Anticipation will not be reinstated for this renewal. The victorious Fire At Will (Declaration of War) is therefore credited with a listed victory, while Blame The Booze (Blame)...

The American Graded Stakes Committee has ruled that the Aug. 27 Smart N Fancy S. at Saratoga and Monmouth Park's GIII Eatontown S., contested Aug. 29, will remain downgraded for 2020 after both events were taken off the turf and moved to the main tracks last week. The Smart N Fancy was automatically downgraded to a non-listed black-type, while the Eatontown became a listed race after its removal from the turf. All races that are originally scheduled for the turf but subsequently moved to the dirt are automatically downgraded, however,...

Breeders' Cup in conjunction with The Jockey Club announced Thursday a new national advertising campaign called 'Still. Running. Strong.' to promote Thoroughbred racing as spectator-free racing resumes in various markets around the country during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. KTA and TOBA issued the following joint statement late Thursday evening. "KTA and TOBA have made contributions to support to a newly created national advertising campaign titled "Still. Running. Strong." The campaign was announced [Thursday] by The Jockey Club and Breeders' Cup Limited. As representatives of Thoroughbred owners and breeders...

Breeders' Cup in conjunction with The Jockey Club are launching a new national advertising campaign called 'Still. Running. Strong." to promote Thoroughbred racing as spectator-free racing resumes in various markets around the country during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. "As more of our major venues get back to live racing and with people at home seeking diversion and entertainment, we wanted to be proactive about promoting the sport to a broader audience," said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of the Breeders' Cup. "Horse racing has a unique opportunity to...

Ken Wilkins got it right: "The challenge is to identify and solve the real problem--we do not have enough people that want to own racehorses. More owners will create more demand for our breeding product, period. Conversely, less demand will exacerbate all our problems. It has already impacted us and we are experiencing a slow and sure gradual shrinking of our business. What can each of us do to achieve the outcome of increasing ownership? Let us start with asking the right question. How can we increase demand for our...

DAN METZGER, PRESIDENT, TOBA The top priority for our sport in 2020 is the enhancement of equine health and safety. We are facing other important challenges, but none nearly as critical as the health and safety of the Thoroughbred racehorse. We must reduce the number of fatal injuries of horses at the racetrack and demonstrate that the industry can work together to implement the needed reforms. We need to embrace new and existing technologies and policies that will significantly reduce the number of equine injuries on the racetrack.

Officials at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association have announced the election of Brant Laue as chairman of the TOBA Board of Trustees. Also joining Laue on the Board are members Marshall Gramm (Ten Strike Racing), Stephanie Hronis (Hronis Racing) and Jason Loutsch (Albaugh Family Racing). "I am honored to serve as Chairman of TOBA, with its long history of representing the interests of owners and breeders," Laue said. "Working with our members and industry partners, we look forward to continued progress on the opportunities and challenges facing our industry."...