Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association

The Florida House of Representatives on Friday passed controversial Thoroughbred decoupling legislation by a 70-34 vote at 6:10 p.m. HB 167 is a wide-ranging gaming bill, but the only section of it that came up for debate during the Apr. 25 legislative session was the decoupling aspect. As passed by the House, the bill would remove a statutory requirement that Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs run a minimum number of live Thoroughbred races in order to operate the respective casino and card room at each venue. The language of...

Florida's controversial decoupling legislation took an ominous step forward Wednesday when a House subcommittee not only advanced a bill that would remove the requirement that Gulfstream Park run a minimum number of live Thoroughbred races in order to operate its casino, but also amended the bill to say similar terms would apply to cardroom gaming license-holders, too, meaning Tampa Bay Downs would also have the option to cease racing if the bill got signed into law. The House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee reported HB 105 as "favorable" by a...

By now we are all well-informed of Gulfstream Park's intent to decouple their casino gaming from live racing responsibilities. I have no doubt they are very serious about abandoning live racing while expanding casinos and property development. This cynical action arrives on the heels of historic stimulus legislation--led by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association and our strong allies in Tallahassee--that stabilized racing and breeding economics. The only outstanding ingredient for an ascendant industry--racetrack operators committed to the live race. As you consider the future of the Florida Thoroughbred...

The ninth installment in the 2024 OwnerView webinar series was held on Nov. 5 and discussion covered the various ways state incentive programs approach supporting the equine industry, especially when it comes to a declining foal crop, according to a Friday Jockey Club press release. The panel consisted of Cricket Goodall, executive director of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association Inc., the Maryland Million Ltd., and the Maryland Horse Foundation; Roger Heitzmann, secretary and executive director of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association; Steve Koch, the associate vice president of operations for...

Edited Press Release The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (FTBOA) announced Oct. 25 that George Isaacs, general manager of the historic Bridlewood Farm located in Ocala, was re-elected president of the organization at a board meeting following the annual member meeting. "Having served many years on the board of directors for the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, I have witnessed great dedication from the staff, board members and membership in making our organization flourish," Isaacs said. "I am grateful to our entire team for being vital to the...

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association has unveiled an enhanced online registry search to allow owners to easily confirm a Thoroughbred's current FTBOA Florida-bred registration status, Florida Sire Stakes eligibility and to verify registered Florida Stallions. The online Registry Search, FTBOA.com/registrysearch, allows users to search and sort foaled-in-Florida Thoroughbreds by name, dam name, sire name or by foal crop. FTBOA icons indicate fully registered FTBOA Florida-breds. The Florida Sire Stakes icon confirms that a Thoroughbred has been fully paid into and is eligible to participate in the lucrative Florida...

According to the recently released American Horse Council Foundation 2023 Equine Economic Impact Study, the Florida equine industry contributes $12.8 billion to the Florida economy. Florida Thoroughbreds contribute $3.24 billion annually to the Florida economy, more than one-quarter of that horsepower. The study commissioned by the American Horse Council reaffirmed the status of the Florida equine industry, and specifically Thoroughbred horse racing, as a major sports and agricultural industry within the state. Florida remains the third-leading equine state by population (behind Texas and California) with 335,000 head creating more than...

An unprecedented $2.1 million will fill the Florida-Bred Incentive Fund (FBIF) for overnight race conditions to start the new year, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA), Gulfstream Park and the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association said in a combined release Wednesday. Independently, the FTBOA revealed that an additional $1.3 million of Florida-bred race incentives on Gulfstream Park stakes and selected overnights to complement the expanded FBIF and longstanding Florida-Sire Sire Stakes 2-year-old series is on tap. The combined programs, totaling $4.6 million, are substantially enabled by HB 7063, a...

George Isaacs, general manager of Ocala's Bridlewood Farm, has been reelected as the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) president, according to a release put out by the organization Wednesday. Following the annual member meeting, the FTBOA held a board meeting and also named Rustlewood Farm's George Russell the first vice president, Summerfield's Francis Vanlangendonck the second vice president, Ocala Stud's Joseph M. O'Farrell as treasurer, and Nick de Meric, who operates de Meric Stables and Sales, as secretary. "I have been fortunate to lead FTBOA at a time...

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association reported a substantial increase in awards will be paid to breeders and stallion owners for 2024 through their Annual Awards Plan that was approved by the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the organization said in a release Thursday. The plan increases, which were enabled with the enactment of HB 7063, would increase Florida breeder and stallion awards by one-third, from the 15% level in 2023 to as much 20% of the announced gross purse in 2024. HB 7063 is a $1.3 billion tax package...

George Isaacs, general manager of Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, was elected president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association Friday. "I am honored and humbled to be elected by my peers to this important position," Isaacs said. "Being an active manager of a large Florida breeding operation, I hope to do my part in continuing to bolster the Florida breeding and racing industry." FTBOA board members Marilyn Campbell and Joe O'Farrell, III extended their terms on the board while Jerry Campbell, Mike Hall and Mary Lightner were named to...

Longtime Thoroughbred industry executive Steve Koch has joined the senior management teams of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association and Florida Equine Communications. Koch will assume responsibilities in July for all operations and systems related to the FTBOA and FEC offices, meeting rooms, library and museum facilities. Koch will also coordinate a soon to launch, in-house video and broadcast production partnership and tenant relationship and will generally assist the management team in increasing awareness, economics and programs for the FTBOA membership and Florida Thoroughbred industry. "It is an exciting...