NTRA

Edited Press Release The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced Friday the hiring of Jordan Bonfitto to serve as NTRA's Director of Government Affairs. Bonfitto will be based in the NTRA's newly opened Washington, D.C. office and will lead the organization's advocacy efforts alongside President and CEO, former U.S. Congressman, Tom Rooney. "We're excited to have Jordan join our team to help advocate the issues critical to the Thoroughbred racing industry," Rooney said. "Jordan's experience in the Executive Branch and on Capitol Hill will be a huge asset as we...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) has officially opened an office in Washington, D.C. NTRA president and CEO Tom Rooney, a former Congressman, has indicated the office will be fully staffed and open for visitors. "I've been hired and tasked to go to Washington and be the voice of the Thoroughbred racing industry to our nation's policy makers," said Rooney. "Having spent a decade in Congress, I know how Washington works. The biggest part of that is by showing up and being in person. By opening this office, we'll be...

The 52nd annual Eclipse Awards, honoring Thoroughbred racing's human and equine champions of 2022, will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at The Breakers Palm Beach, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) announced Tuesday. Originally built in 1896, The Breakers remains one of America's legendary resort destinations. Renowned for its seaside glamour and world-class service, the 538-room, Italian Renaissance-style hotel resides on 140 acres of oceanfront property in the heart of Palm Beach. VIP pre-sale for tickets the black-tie...

Keeneland CEO and president Shannon Arvin has been elected chair of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The organization held it fourth quarter board meeting for its 2022 fiscal year Thursday, the first under the NTRA's new president and CEO, Tom Rooney. Arvin, a Lexington native and the third generation of her family to be Keeneland management, is the first female chair in the 23-year history of the NTRA. In other NTRA business at the meeting, the board approved the 2023 fiscal year budget, which runs from Apr. 1, 2022...

Edited Press Release The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) presented the Racetrack Maintenance Innovation Awards to its first class of award winners Monday evening at the Racecourse Managers' Conference and Workshop in Las Vegas. The award was created to celebrate the work of racetrack professionals who have day-to-day responsibilities for the maintenance, protection, and safety of horses and riders at tracks across the US. The 2022 winners distinguished themselves as some of the most innovative racetrack professionals in Thoroughbred racing today. "It's so important to highlight the work of racetrack...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association's first annual Racecourse Managers' Conference and Workshop kicks off Sunday, Mar. 6 at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas. Continuing through Mar. 8, the Conference hosts racetrack management, superintendents, and equine facility managers from across the country to experience comprehensive, science-based discussions and demonstrations on maintaining safe racing, training, and event surfaces, along with an explanation of how to participate in the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) racing surface regulations and the processes for HISA implementation and reporting. For the...

The performances by Japanese-based Loves Only You (Jpn) and Marche Lorraine (Jpn) at the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar last November has been voted the 2021 FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year based on the results of 3,000 votes cast via Twitter and an online poll, according to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Thursday. The FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year will be recognized at the 51st Annual Eclipse Awards presented by 1/ST Racing, FanDuel Racing Group and the NTRA at Santa Anita Park at 8:30p.m. Feb. 10....

Former U.S. congressman Tom Rooney is the new president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). He released a statement Wednesday, which appears below. For more insight into Rooney's plans and priorities for the NTRA, watch or listen to the final 2021 Writers' Room podcast (links appear at the bottom of the story). Following is Rooney's Wednesday statement in its entirety: Horse racing has been in my family since long before I was born, and I've grown up with a passion for the sport. When I retired from...

Earle Mack, a former U.S. Ambassador, owner, breeder and founder of the Man O' War Project will be awarded the Eclipse Award of Merit in recognition for a lifetime of outstanding achievement at the 51st Eclipse Awards at Santa Anita Park on February 10. The announcement was made by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters (NTWAB). Over the course of his life, the press release reads, "the honorable Earle I. Mack, who has burnished a remarkable career serving his country...

TVG will televise live the announcement of the finalists in 16 horse and human categories for the 2021 Eclipse Awards this Saturday, Jan. 15 at 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Turf Writers And Broadcasters (NTWAB) and Daily Racing Form announced Thursday. The Eclipse Awards, honoring excellence in Thoroughbred racing, are voted upon by the NTRA, represented by member racetrack racing officials and Equibase field personnel, NTWAB and Daily Racing Form, and are produced by the NTRA. TVG also will televise live the 51st Eclipse...

Winners of the six Media Eclipse Awards for 2021 were announced Thursday and are as follows: Feature/Commentary Writing - Sandra McKee, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, "A Jockey's Life. Baltimore's Adams Set Riding Record in 1930"; June 2021. News/Enterprise Writing - Eric Mitchell, Bloodhorse.com, "Tracks Join Rallying Cry to End Cargo Shipping"; Aug. 24, 2021. Television - Live Racing Programming - NBC Sports, "The Breeders' Cup World Championships," Nov. 6, 2021 on NBC; Billy Matthews and Lindsay Schanzer, Producers. Television - Features - NBC Sports "Hot Rod Charlie," Apr. 30, 2021 on NBCSN;...

The NTRA Racecourse Managers' Conference and Workshop will be held Sunday through Tuesday, Mar. 6-8, at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. An opening reception Mar. 6 will be followed by a day and a half of discussions and demonstrations. The full agenda for the conference will be released later this month, but confirmed speakers and topics include: Dennis Moore, Racetrack Consultant and Superintendent, will demonstrate the use of lasers for grade measurements and how to check grades on horse racing and arena surfaces; The...