Aidan Butler

What is already arguably the deepest jockey colony in the country has grown even stronger this year as two of Europe's top riders, Oisin Murphy and Sean Levey, are joining the riding colony at Gulfstream Park for the championship meet. Murphy, 28, is the more familiar of the two. He was the British flat champion jockey three years running in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and has ridden Group I winners in Great Britain, Ireland, France, Canada, Germany, Japan, the UAE and in the U.S. His three Grade I wins in...

The position of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) president is up for grabs at a time of great upheaval for horse racing in the state. Belmont Park is poised to undergo a $455-million overhaul, after which Aqueduct is set to close its doors. Within a few years, horse racing in New York will look drastically different to what it looks like today. This is also a period of tremendous existential challenge for the sport, as evidenced by a recent 60 Minutes expose on the industry's doping problems. Among the...

A dead horse was found Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Maryland's former Bowie Training Center, closed since 2015 and owned by 1/ST Racing. The horse was determined to be recently deceased and was in a remote area. The Paulick Report was the first with the story. 1/ST's CEO, Aidan Butler, released the following statement: "Horses are the center of the racing community. They are curious, beautiful animals and that someone, anyone, would treat a horse in this way defies comprehension. Everyone at our organization is simply sickened by this discovery. "As...

1/ST RACING and FanDuel TV will return as presenting sponsors for the 2023 Horse Racing Women's Summit held Sept. 27-29 at Santa Anita Park. "1/ST is committed to ensuring the racing industry continues to expand through inclusivity and diversity," said Aidan Butler, CEO of 1/ST RACING & GAMING. "The Horse Racing Women's Summit is aligned steadfast with this vision, and we are proud to be co-sponsoring this event with FanDuel TV for the second year." "After the inaugural Horse Racing Women's Summit was such a resounding success, the FanDuel Group...

There's no easy fix for the Triple Crown or one that satisfies all three tracks. But a fix is needed. With most trainers reluctant to run their horses back on just two weeks' rest, the GI Preakness S. is reeling. The connections of Rich Strike (Keen Ice), the GI Kentucky Derby winner, committed what would have been considered blasphemy 20 years ago and skipped the Preakness to rest up for the GI Belmont S. This year, Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) was the only Derby starter to run back in...

1/ST Racing & Gaming is ready to shake up the Triple Crown. The company, which operates Pimlico Race Course, has confirmed to the TDN that it is giving strong consideration to moving the date of the GI Preakness S. so that it is run four weeks after the GI Kentucky Derby. "We have discussed it internally and believe it's in the best interests of horses and horse safety to move the race four weeks after the Kentucky Derby," said Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer of 1/ST Racing & Gaming. "This...

Two weeks after an initial company announcement on the closure of Golden Gate Fields at the end of the year, The Stronach Group (TSG) issued details Friday on their plans for consolidating racing operations at its Southern California racing and training facilities, Santa Anita and San Luis Rey Downs. The plan--shared via Zoom during a press briefing lasting about 30 minutes--appeared large on big-ticket promises though short on specifics in other key areas, including the broader industry impacts from the closure of Golden Gate Fields. The following details were divulged...

MyRacehorse has entered into an agreement with 1/ST Racing, which is among a group that has invested $7 million in the company that sells fractional ownership and will help market MyRacehorse at its family of tracks, according to a joint press release from the groups Thursday morning. Michael Behrens, the founder and CEO of MyRacehorse, told TDN that his company was looking to add investors with the passing of B. Wayne Hughes. Hughes, who owned Spendthrift Farm, was an early supporter of MyRacehorse and an investor in the company. MyRacehorse...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has partnered with 1/ST to promote accredited aftercare awareness on GI Santa Anita Derby day Apr. 8. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be recognized with a named race on the Santa Anita Derby Day undercard. Following the running of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections, including a branded blanket and swag bag. There will also be an opportunity for jockeys to pledge their jocks mount fee throughout the day to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Representatives from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be the beneficiary of a special charity Pick 5 wager featured on CNBC during its next stop on the 1/ST Racing Tour Saturday. The upcoming day of coast-to-coast racing features 13 stakes races including the GI Santa Anita H., as well as the GII Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park and the GII San Felipe S. at Santa Anita Park. NBC Sports will produce and air a two-hour telecast from 4-6 p.m. (ET) on CNBC. Five of the six stakes broadcast on the show...

1/ST celebrated more than decade long partnership with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) on Pegasus World Cup Day. For the second consecutive year, the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf was named in honor of the TAA and in a presentation following the race, TAA representatives accepted a check for $50,000 from 1/ST. "1/ST RACING & GAMING stands behind the efforts of the TAA and we are proud to make continued contributions to ensure our thoroughbred athletes receive the best care following their racing careers," said Aidan Butler, Chief...

Aidan Butler, CEO of the Stronach Group and 1/ST Racing and Gaming, joined this week's TDN Writers' Room ahead of Pegasus World Cup weekend at Gulfstream Park.