News Releases

Wednesday, June 24, 2015Contact: Bob Curran Jr. (212) 521-5326
KTA/KTOB JOIN COALITION FOR HORSE RACING INTEGRITY

Kentucky’s horsemen’s group and trade association announces support for federal legislation that grants oversight of drug testing and enforcement in Thoroughbred racing to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity is pleased to announce today that the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders (KTA/KTOB) have joined as members, adding to the wave of support for national oversight of uniform medication standards in Thoroughbred racing. The Coalition’s membership also includes The Jockey Club, the Water Hay Oats Alliance, Breeders’ Cup, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association.

“The Thoroughbred horse breeding and racing industry is a major part of Kentucky’s  economy and rich history, and we believe consistent medication administration and enforcement regulations are necessary to preserve this tradition,” said Chauncey Morris, executive director of KTA. “Our directors appreciate the fact that the Coalition and its legislative partners have considered our input and will ensure that industry oversight is tough, fair, and accountable for implementing an effective and efficient anti-doping program, and they voted unanimously on June 17 to support the legislation. The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity has produced the best solution yet for a path forward for this great American sport.”

The Coalition supports legislation that will direct the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to create an independent, Thoroughbred racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country. KTA/KTOB has already played an integral role in advocating for effectiveness and accountability reviews to ensure that these reforms are successfully implemented, as well as in encouraging further industry collaboration on costs, violations, and penalties.

“We are immensely proud to welcome the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association into our ranks,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “The growth of the Coalition points to the importance of our goal – modernizing horse racing’s drug and medication regulations to provide certainty and safety for our participants and fans.”

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders are a horseman’s group and trade association representing the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry in Kentucky. Kentucky is the biggest producer of Thoroughbred foals in the world, responsible for 34 percent of the U.S. foal crop, the largest concentration of stallions, veterinary practices and breeding farms, and is home to the leading yearling and breeding stock sales, premier race meetings at Keeneland and the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, and year-round racing at Turfway Park, Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs.

Millions of people participate annually in American Thoroughbred racing as owners, trainers, veterinarians, and industry support professionals, and as fans and bettors. The industry contributes $25 billion to the U.S. economy annually and generates 380,000 domestic jobs, with 38 states participating in pari-mutuel racing.

Additional information, including stories from supporters and ways to contact Congressional members to express support for this legislation, is available at www.horseracingintegrity.com.

(Posted on behalf of the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity.)