Tom Rooney

Turf writer Tom Law, the president of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association, appeared on Steve Byk's radio show Thursday to discuss the disagreements the group had with its fellow Eclipse presenters, Daily Racing Form and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, over this year's awards. Law said that the NTWAB's disagreements centered around two issues: industry organizations being added to those up for consideration for media Eclipse Awards, and the awarding of this year's Eclipse Award of Merit to Stuart Janney. Woodbine Entertainment went on to win an Eclipse...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be in attendance as the official charity for the 53rd Eclipse Awards Jan. 25 at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida, the non-profit said in a Friday release. "It's an honor to stand with NTRA and the whole racing community, celebrating the incredible talent and of the Thoroughbreds and the dedication of their connections," said Stacie Clark Rogers, Operations Consultant for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. "We are grateful for the opportunity to highlight our commitment to our industry's horses on this prestigious platform." "We are thrilled...

To avoid any potential conflict-of-interest issues, Tom Rooney, an appointed voting member of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA), has recused himself from any further decision making in the selection of a year-round training center, said Alan Foreman, another voting member of the non-profit. The new organization is positioning itself to assume control of day-to-day racing operations in Maryland, pending legislative approval. In a proposed plan, The Stronach Group, which owns Pimlico Race Course, would turn over ownership and daily operations of the track to the state and to...

   This story is a deeper dive into the joint press release issued earlier Jan. 5 by The Stronach Group, the Maryland Jockey Club, and the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. The latest recommendation in a years-long attempt by multiple stakeholders to consolidate Maryland racing at a single, reimagined racetrack now calls for a project dubbed "Pimlico Plus," with racing centered in Baltimore and supported by the construction of a new training facility elsewhere in the state, according to a report issued by the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA)...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) has renewed its sales and marketing partnership with John Deere for an additional three years, the association said in a release Friday. The agricultural giant will continue in its role as the exclusive equipment supplier to the NTRA and also maintain its participation in the NTRA Advantage group purchasing program. "John Deere tractors and horse racing go hand in hand," said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. "We are thrilled to renew our partnership with this great American company for another three years." As...

FanDuel will join John Deere, Keeneland and The Jockey Club as a presenting sponsor for the 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards, which will be held Thursday, Jan. 25 at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida, the NTRA said in a release Wednesday morning. "We are extremely grateful to our newest presenting sponsor FanDuel in joining John Deere, Keeneland and The Jockey Club to partner with the NTRA in presenting the Eclipse Awards to the whole of the thoroughbred racing industry," said Tom Rooney, President and CEO of the NTRA. "Together with...

A panel discussion titled "From Data to Dollars: Understanding Horse Racing's Economic Impact As Racing's Future is Questioned" during Wednesday's Global Symposium on Racing hosted by the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) led off with moderator Alan Foreman confronting "the elephant in the room that we dodge." Foreman, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, said racing is facing an "existential moment" at a time when industry stakeholders increasingly must make the case for the sport's so-called social license to exist in the...

Three days after the 60 Minutes segment "Horse Racing Reform?" which covered doping in horse racing, HISA, and breakdowns, Tom Rooney, the President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, stressed the need to commit to and better communicate the reforms racing is making. Rooney issued a statement that said: "Issues raised in recent media accounts are a reminder of why the public needs to know about the significant progress the sport of Thoroughbred racing has made in equine safety over the last few years. On behalf of NTRA...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) has announced the launch of a new campaign, "Safety Takes The Lead," highlighting the sport's recent enhanced safety and welfare protocols, as well as its commitment to do more. The campaign features a new comprehensive safety section on the NTRA website, which includes the latest news on safety and welfare programs, videos, and relevant links. "Nothing comes in front of our sport's commitment to equine and human safety," said Tom Rooney, NTRA president and CEO. "This campaign is designed to help make the public...

The NTRA reported new guidance out of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which will streamline the glanders testing protocol for importing horses into the United States, the organization said in a release Friday morning. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service update, Veterinary Services Guidance 13407.3, introduces a new procedure effective Oct. 10 for glanders, which has been susceptible to produce false positives when horses were tested during their import quarantine. "One of the number one issues I've heard in this job is how cumbersome USDA testing protocols slow down...

Many of you may have seen that last week a bill was introduced in Congress to repeal the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, better known as HISA. I want to set the record straight as to what this legislation does or doesn't do, assure you that the bill isn't going anywhere in Congress, and stands no chance of becoming law. First things first-it's important to remember that any member of Congress can introduce a bill. They write the language, file the bill, and voila it's been introduced. Just in the...

Stephanie Hronis, a long-time member of the Thoroughbred racing community, has been added as a board member of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Political Action Committee. The move was announced Monday by Board Chairman Bill Farish and President Tom Rooney. Hronis is part of the Hronis Racing ownership team, alongside her husband Kosta, his brother Pete, and their family. "It is a great honor to join the NTRA Horse PAC® and to support the significant work being done to ensure the longevity of the horse racing industry," Hronis said. "This...