Breeders’ Cup Members Candidate Statements

Each year, the Thoroughbred Daily News gives the candidates on the ballot for the election of Breeders’ Cup Members the opportunity to make a statement in support of their candidacy. This year, there are 35 individuals on the ballot. These statements will appear in the TDN through June 2, when the voting opens. All of the statements made to date appear below.

FRED W. HERTRICH III:
I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for election as a Breeders’ Cup Member. 

I have a passionate desire to serve the sport which has given me so much pleasure, including the Breeders’ Cup event, which has and continues to showcase our sport as an entertainment experience not to be surpassed. 

I am vested in the Thoroughbred industry as a fan, owner, breeder, syndicate member, employer, and landowner. I will bring to the Board business acumen, coupled with expertise in marketing and branding, developed from buying and growing a single automobile dealership to the fiftieth largest privately held automobile dealership group in North America. 

Although the Breeders’ Cup has grown under existing Board leadership, I believe the next Board has the opportunity to develop the Breeders’ Cup to new levels, establishing the Breeders’ Cup as an anticipated and revered worldwide entertainment event. The Breeders’ Cup Board can serve as a leader for the international racing community to elevate the sport to new heights for our existing and prospective fan base, wagering base, owners, investors, and sponsors. The Breeders’ Cup can introduce the sport to new people, allowing them to participate in this WOW experience, as fans or participants. 

I would be honored and humbled to have your vote to put my skills and passion to work on the Breeders’ Cup Board.

MARK STANLEY: 
If you are reading this message you are probably a loyal fan of horse racing and may agree the communication within the industry is very good. The concern is if we are preaching to the choir and neglecting the rest of the population. There are many big problems within the industry, and they need to be tackled, but that doesn’t preclude us from developing grassroots support and a larger fan base. Now is the time to spread the word as millions of future fans are following the great story that is California Chrome. I am a small player and most of my friends are only mildly interested in the sport. They are more interested in the opossum that Chrome chased than if Wicked Strong changed leads in the stretch. It would seem a simple first step to garnering a larger audience may be to enhance the interviews broadcast on network television and reported in local newspapers by prepping the interviewer. We are blessed to have a beautiful movie star serving the California racing board and a prominent owner that happens to cook pretty well, but just as marketable are the thousands of interesting stories about the trainers, owners and horses. The above may be stating the obvious, but racing has a lot going for it right now and we need people with new ideas to take us over the top. The general public looks for fun in its sports and that is the image we must project. The Breeders’ Cup is the perfect vehicle to take racing to Main Street as they have demonstrated over the past three decades and I would like to be part of their team and would appreciate your support. I believe a little horse sense will go a long way in improving our sport’s identity.

BRET JONES:
I am very proud to have been a Breeders’ Cup member since 2010 and a Breeders’ Cup Director since 2011. In that time, I believe I’ve gained a reputation as a hard-working and thoroughly involved member, and I leave each meeting feeling that I’ve always spoken up for what I believe is the right direction for the organization. During my term, I have been very active in committee work on both the Racing and Nominations and Governance boards, and am currently part of the Board of Director’s Strategic Planning subgroup–a team tasked with helping shape company policy for the years ahead. Having spent the last four years on the inside of the organization, I am more convinced than ever that the Breeders’ Cup’s best days still lie ahead. While our championship weekend has been one of the great success stories in horse racing’s history, I continue to believe the Breeders’ Cup is well positioned to bring greater public relevance to not only our event, but horse racing at large. One such example is the evolution of our Challenge Series, which, If engineered correctly, can establish a more easily understood “regular season” that builds up to our year-end championship and capitalizes on our current television partnerships–providing the narrative that we all recognize is essential in keeping the attention of the casual sports fan when the Triple Crown races have ended. This is but one of many opportunities that currently exists for a forward thinking Breeders’ Cup, but whether it is an issue of equine competition, gambling or medication, I believe wholeheartedly that a Breeders’ Cup board member has an obligation to not only consider what is best for the Breeders’ Cup, but what is best for the future of our industry. As a young person with a lifetime stake in horse racing, I am committed to continuing to work as hard as I can to help ensure the vitality of both.

ROY JACKSON
 It has been an honor to serve as a Breeders’ Cup Member and Director. I have enjoyed serving on the Governance Committee, Medications Committee, Appeals Committee and as Co-Chairman of the Marketing and Enhanced Experience Committee with Barry Weisbord.

My career in Minor League professional baseball led me to have a real interest in sports marketing. I believe my experience in creative marketing and promotion while owning several Minor League professional baseball clubs can be an asset as we move forward under the guidance of Chief Marketing Officer Drew Sheinman. I believe there is a real opportunity to grow the grand and improve income in the sponsorship area.

As both an owner and breeder in the United States and Europe, I believe I understand and can represent the wide divergence of views in our sport and in turn make the correct decisions for the future.

I appreciate your considerations as we vote for those Members who will lead the Breeders’ Cup to bigger and better World Championships.

MICHAEL T. LEVY
I am pleased to be nominated for a second term on the Breeders’ Cup board of members. The Breeders’ Cup, and its future success, is imperative for our business to move forward and strengthen its position in the global marketplace. With respect for the past, and knowledge of the current issues, I will provide a fresh perspective for the Breeders’ Cup to continue to grow on a domestic and international basis. My involvement as a member of the enhanced experience committee has been rewarding, but there is still more that can be done to create an unmatched experience for owners and fans. Large purses no longer guarantee participation due to global competition. The words `try’ and `attempt’ need to be replaced by `must’ and `execute.’ The experience of being involved with the Breeders’ Cup the last four years can only be of benefit in aiding the continued growth and promotion of this brand and subsequently, the entire industry.

GREG GOODMAN:
I attended The University of Texas at Austin and graduated from the University of Houston. My father owned Brazos T Farm in Texas and was Texas’s leading breeder for three consecutive years. Amongst his many stakes horses, he was also one of the four owners of A.P. Indy during his racing career. I grew up in and around racing. My wife, children and I own Mt. Brilliant Farm in Kentucky. We have 36 mares in Lexington, Ireland, England and Argentina and 21 horses of racing age. I am a founding member of the Fayette Alliance, a former board member of the Texas Thoroughbred Association, TOBA Board of Trustees, Thoroughbred Research Institute and the original Sales Integrity Task Force as well as on boards of several charitable and business organizations. I am deeply concerned about the path American racing is taking. Moving forward we need medication reform to protect the integrity of our sport. For the fans and betting public to continue to trust us it will take serious people on the board committed to honesty and integrity, who are willing to stand up for these issues. The Breeders’ Cup needs to lead the way with these reforms so that American and foreign interests continue to participate in our sport in the U.S. We need to give the racing world confidence that our medication policies are commensurate with international standards. These policies will encourage more American and foreign investment in our quality bloodstock in the sales ring and at the race track. I believe reform starts with the Breeders’ Cup, our show case event, for American racing to show the world that we are serious and competitive and will not accept or allow racing to be hijacked for short term gain instead of long term viability.

GARRETT O’ROURKE: 
Since 1992 I have managed Juddmonte Farms USA division and have attended more Breeders’ Cups than I have missed. I have already served a term as a Breeders’ Cup member and have participated on the Racing and Nominations Committee. I have been involved in the Thoroughbred industry all my life having been brought up in a racing family and raised in a racing community. I have witnessed racing at its best and worst on both sides of the Atlantic and when challenged, it is the beauty and allure of the horse itself that motivates people to preserve and improve Thoroughbred racing and it alone separates us from other sport and casino gambling. As such, providing the best care for our horses and treating them as the stars they were in the glory days is what Breeders’ Cup has most proudly achieved. Such examples of Breeders’ Cup track safety protocol, drug testing, improved facilities, improved travel, etc. have raised the awareness that we had fallen behind in these areas as an industry. The fan experience at Breeders’ Cup is now exceptional and constantly improving and becoming more appealing. The horse experience is the best in the USA, but can continue to improve very considerably as we struggle to convince new fans that we are responsible caretakers of these very special, very “Thoroughbred” animals. I will offer my experience and effort to maintain the level of horsemanship and reverence that the horses deserve so that we can showcase our breed to the world.

CARTER CARNEGIE:
Having worked for the Breeders’ Cup for over 10 years, and as a sports marketing professional representing both sports properties (NBA and NFL) and sponsors (Grey Goose, Emirates, Dodge), I look forward, if elected, to sharing my experiences to help assist the Breeders’ Cup achieve its strategic initiatives. In my current role leading Great British Racing International (GBRI) and as a partner of Destination Europe, my primary role will be to represent the interest of European Breeders who nominate their stallions to the Breeders’ Cup. Since its inception, the International racing community has actively supported the event as nominators, owners and fans to create a racing program that separates Breeders’ Cup from all the other important race days in the US. As a member, I would like to work on issues focused on greater International uniformity between racing and breeding nations to ensure that the event continues to be recognized as one of the world’s great race meetings.

TOM RYAN:
I have been fortunate to work in our industry in Australia, Europe, Japan and the U.S. This has given me an opportunity to observe first hand those aspects of thoroughbred racing and breeding that are required to create a successful and popular product. I believe that the U.S. has a real opportunity at the moment both to considerably expand the public’s interest in our sport and to further integrate into the global industry. The Breeders’ Cup is in a unique position to provide the leadership and example necessary to bring about the positive changes required to make the opportunity a reality. If elected to the Breeders’ Cup Board I would be excited to be involved in making this happen.

G. WATTS HUMPHREY, JR 
The Breeders’ Cup is one of the most successful organizations in the industry and our World Championships have become the defining global championships of our sport. I have had the opportunity to be involved in most every aspect of the industry including breeding, racing, farm ownership and board participation on several industry organizations, including the Breeders’ Cup since its inception. I believe that this long term involvement in our industry gives me the opportunity to be a strong contributor to the future success of the Breeders’ Cup.

TOM LUDT 
Being involved in the Thoroughbred business for numerous years and differing dimensions, I have been blessed to learn and have a different perspective from all my different roles. Running Vinery Stud Farm in Kentucky, Florida and New York, racing at all levels including having Grade I winners, chairing the International Wagering hub for KHRA and now running Santa Anita Park race track as president, I feel very fortunate to be able to see our fans, horses, bettors and horsemen in my different capacities and see this as a very positive attribute to continuing on with the Breeders’ Cup. Over the past eight years with Breeders’ Cup, two as chairman and the rest as a director and board member on numerous sub-committees, I have helped assist Breeders’ Cup growth and have a vested interest in seeing it continue to flourish even more dominantly as an institution that brings our sport and industry together. I sincerely hope I can continue to participate and assist the Breeders’ Cup organization and see the positive attributes it brings to all fans, horsemen, bettors and everyone that Breeders’ Cup reaches. I am optimistic and look forward to the future of our industry and sincerely thank you for your consideration. 

PATRICK W. MADDEN 
Having grown up in the thoroughbred industry I have been involved as a breeder, consignor, owner, stallion syndicator and shareholder. Before becoming a full time developer, I practiced law, with a focus on the equine space and stallion syndication. Being a full time and engaged handicapper, I recognize the magnitude of the large pools created by events like the Breeders’ Cup as they relate to attracting and growing the wagering base. Without having a specific affiliation, I believe I can bring a unique perspective to the areas of promotion and growth of the Breeders’ Cup brand. Creating a successful commercial development is about vision, functionality, practicality, and economics. In order to generate revenues, the development has to attract the stores where people want to come and spend their money. The location has to deliver a shopping experience that people will continue to utilize. This endless circle is not all that far from what the Breeders’ Cup has to deliver. The site, horses, and the experience will bring the fans and bettors. Competition is growing every day, and the urgency to execute is vital to maintain and expand the brand. In summation, I am anxious to apply the knowledge I have obtained from growing up in the thoroughbred business as well as my experiences in other areas such as development and law to bring a fresh new perspective at developing the brand name of the The Breeders’ Cup. 

BILL CASNER 
Anyone that is informed enough to be reading the TDN or this commentary is fully aware of the challenges our industry faces. Meaningful reform has progressed at a snails pace and has been slow to address our biggest challenges. Not long ago, horse racing occupied the zenith of the sports entertainment industry with the highest attendance and a 10% annual growth. Sadly, our relevance continues to slide and our image as the Sport of Kings has been severely damaged. 

The Breeders’ Cup has gone thru an evolution over the past 10 years with changes in governance and mission. It has gone from an organization that only focused on the Breeders’ Cup event to one that has accepted that it must be proactively involved with the problems our industry continues to address. 

The Breeders’ Cup along with The Jockey Club are the two organizations that have the opportunity to lead. 
I look forward with your help, to continuing my pro-activeness as a Breeders’ Cup trustee and for an industry that captured my heart 51 years ago. 

CASE CLAY 
It has been an honor to serve as a Member of the Breeders’ Cup for the past four years and to work with Chairmen Roy Jackson and Barry Weisbord on the Enhanced Experience Committee since its inception. This is a committee that has delivered on its mission to improve both the fan and owner experiences during Championship week. Last year, I expanded my involvement and joined the Racing and Nominations Committee. If given the opportunity to serve another term, I will continue to bring forth an active approach to my work on these Committees as they serve as a voice to provide direction to the Board of Directors on what needs to be addressed to further the organization and the constituency it represents, the nominators. In addition, in the pursuit of a true World Thoroughbred Championship, I will continue to be a valuable resource as a spokesperson with International nominators thanks to my various ties with breeding farms around the world, whether they are in Asia, Europe, Australia or South America. Finally, a Breeders’ Cup Member’s main role is to vote in annually the Directors. This is a role I have taken very seriously and would continue to do so if I am fortunate enough to serve another term.

JOHN AMERMAN
I have been a member of the Breeders’ Cup since 2006. In addition, I was elected to The Jockey Club’s Board of Stewards in 2007. I have served on the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), the American Graded Stakes Committee, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s (NTRA) Board of Directors. In California, I have been a member of the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) and the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC).

Currently, I am a member of The Jockey Club and the Breeders’ Cup. 

My wife and I have been thoroughbred owners since 1987 and own approximately seventy horses. Among our major Grade I stakes winners are Adoration, Balance, Centralinteligence, Lido Palace, Siphonic, Spoken Fur, Happyanunoit, Printemps and Mash One. We own Peacefield Farm in Temecula, California, a lay-up and rehabilitation facility for horses injured at the race track or in the show ring.

I joined Mattel, Inc. in 1980 and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company until 1997. During those years, Mattel became the largest and most profitable toy company in the world. Prior to joining Mattel, I was president of the American Chicle Group, a subsidiary of the Warner-Lambert Company which is now part of Pfizer. My career began in marketing at Colgate-Palmolive.

I was born and raised in New Jersey and received my bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, with an M.B.A. from Dartmouth’s Amos Tuck School. 

Having served on many Thoroughbred horse racing organizations and having had involvement with the Breeders’ Cup Board, I believe I have the background and experience to help the Breeders’ Cup grow as the most prestigious event on the world’s Thoroughbred racing calendar.

BRADLEY S. WEISBORD
I have always known that I wanted to make my professional living in horse racing. As such, ensuring the success and growth of the sport that I love is a subject very close to my heart.

For the past several years, as the COO of Team Valor International, my job revolved around new owner procurement, and we were successful in bringing hundreds of new owners into the sport of Thoroughbred racing. While I have accepted a new position as the USA Racing Advisor representative for Sheik Joaan al Thani’s Al Shaqab racing, continuing to find new owners for the sport is something I enjoy and continue to pursue.

Having all owners–new and long-standing–enjoy the biggest days our sport has to offer is crucial to the long-term viability of the game. Participating in the two-day Breeders’ Cup championship weekend is the goal of every owner, because it offers an exciting, well-attended, high-profile weekend of glamorous sport. Because I believe that it is big days like this that sell the sport of Thoroughbred racing, I will work to increase the Breeders’ Cup’s footprint on our sport–creating more big days and not just the one in November. I have attended top sporting events around the world both inside and outside of racing, and believe we can continue to add innovations to the Breeders’ Cup to provide an even better fan and owner experience.

Additionally, I believe we have to establish a uniform medication policy, with no race-day medication in order for our domestic homebreds to be viable and valuable around the world. We must crack down harder on the people who don’t play by the rules, and implement the penalties and structure of the other successful sporting leagues.

I am personally invested in every aspect of the sport; owning, breeding and racing horses; pinhooking yearlings and weanlings, and purchasing stallion shares. I have been at more Breeders’ Cups than I can count, including every one since 2007, and have managed 10 Breeders’ Cup starters over the past five years.
I have spent my entire life immersed in the game, and will work hard to ensure that the Breeders’ Cup remains an industry leader so that I can say the same thing 50 years from now.

ANTONY BECK
Antony Beck is President of Gainesway Farm. He is committed to maintaining the heritage and history of the land which comprises the farm. He has had a lifelong passion for Thoroughbreds and although his earlier involvement began in South Africa, his focus these days is very much in Central Kentucky. Antony, his wife Angela, and their five children make their home in Lexington at Gainesway Farm.

I have served on the Breeders’ Cup Board since 2006. The Breeders’ Cup has achieved important objectives over the past eight years by expanding our international reach and increasing Championship purses and awards to record levels. But we live in a highly competitive world and the Breeders’ Cup must continue to innovate and not rest on our past successes. We must find the right balance between being true to our historical roots and embracing the change that will be necessary to remain relevant in the future. I believe I can bring continued value to the Board based on my lifelong passion for horseracing and experience with the domestic and international racing and breeding industries as owner of Gainesway Farm.

CRAIG BERNICK
Glen Hill Farm is a breeding and racing business that races in California, Florida, and the Midwest. We have run 10 horses in Breeders’ Cup races through the years, winning the Distaff with One Dreamer in ’94 and running second in the Filly and Mare Turf with Marketing Mix in ’12. Clearly many of the candidates for the Breeders’ Cup Board have similar racing experience. I believe that equally importantly, I would be an asset to the Breeders’ Cup Board on the media and marketing side. The business that our family founded and where my business career began was Alberto Culver. My biggest impact at the company was in brand development. Alberto was one of the earliest and longest-term national sponsors of the Breeders’ Cup. From the marketing side, I appreciate the impact that effective partnership programs can have throughout the year for both the Breeders’ Cup and its partners and I believe I can make a substantial contribution in this area, both in working with Breeders’ Cup’s marketing people to build the brand as well as share insight into the corporate partner experience. This exposure to both the marketing and racing aspects of the program has given me what I believe are unique insights into the total Breeders’ Cup mission and goals. 

HERNAN CERIANI CERNADAS
I have always admired the Breeders’ Cup meeting. From the beginning, with my father, we closely followed the evolution of the program. As a result my father, along with other breeders, created the Carreras de las Estrellas in the image of the Breeders’ Cup. This year will be the 24th edition. At our farm, Haras La Quebrada, we have nominated our stallions every year including in the Common Fund before the start of the new international program. I am the third generation to operate Haras La Quebrada and we have bred over 100 GR1 winner who have won nearly 200 GR1 races. We were fortunate to have one of our La Quebrada-bred horses, Calidoscopio, win a Breeders’ Cup race and my mission is to increase the stallion nominations and bring many more quality horses to compete from throughout Latin America. 

In Latin America we have experienced growth in both number and quality of foals over the last 10 years with the incorporation of the best bloodlines from around the world. Thanks to the efforts of the breeders to bring in these top pedigrees, combined with the stamina and durability of our breeding stock, we are seeing positive results in stakes races around the world.

The opportunity for the Breeders’ Cup to work together with us in Latin America will, without doubt, bring important benefits. It is always productive to consider variations of programs from around the world with the end of improving the product. By working closely together, our industry will be stronger and more competitive. 

STEVEN K. DAVISON
 I appreciate being nominated to serve on the Breeders’ Cup Board. My experience in the industry consists of operating a small racing stable since the late 1980s, owning a breeding operation (Twin Creeks Farm) located near Lexington, Kentucky, since 1993, and I recently became an owner of the Ragozin Sheets, which produces and publishes speed figures for racehorses. Outside of the horse industry, I am an attorney, a real-estate developer and I serve as special counsel to a publicly traded company in the energy sector. 

In addition to directing the affairs of the Breeders’ Cup events, I believe this Board is responsible for providing leadership for the industry as a whole on important matters such as the welfare of our horses and what medication policy is best for our event and for the greater horseracing population in general. Protection of the participants in the sport should be our highest priority: the horses, their handlers and the betting public. We must work hard to improve our public image. If elected, I pledge to bring a common- sense approach to the issues we face and to carefully consider the science we have available and its impact on the industry at large so that we may come up with policies and procedures that will not only strengthen the Breeders’ Cup but provide a model that would uniformly benefit the entire industry.

Thank you for allowing me this statement. I am confident that, with this good slate of candidates and current members, the future of the Breeders Cup is in good hands.