As was tentatively announced Thursday, The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) announced Friday that The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc. has acquired a majority interest in the Blood-Horse magazine. The deal also includes 'related digital and custom printing properties' of the Blood-Horse, the Stallion Register and Blood-Horse's 50% stake in TrueNicks LLC.
The announcement was made jointly by Ogden Mills Phipps, chairman of The Jockey Club, and Peter S. Willmott, chairman of TOBA.
“The Jockey Club stewards believe that a publication with the history, influence and brand recognition of Blood-Horse is a considerable asset for the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry and that there are certain synergies that will make it an even stronger entity as a result of this transaction,” said Phipps.
Added Willmott, “TOBA and its predecessor breeders organization have been the sole owner of Blood-Horse since 1935. With the considerable changes underway in the publishing industry, it is our strong feeling that a partnership with The Jockey Club in ownership of Blood-Horse will enhance Blood-Horse's ability to serve its customers, especially on digital platforms.”
It was simultaneously announced that John K. Keitt Jr. would be appointed to the position of chief executive officer and publisher. Keitt has served as a senior executive, corporate attorney, and consultant with broad experience in the media and technology areas. He was the senior vice president of Global Business for The Associated Press in New York City from 2003 to 2006, and he has also been a business and legal advisor to a wide range of Thoroughbred industry organizations since 1986. Effective immediately, Keitt will be based at the Blood-Horse offices in Lexington.
“Blood-Horse will continue to cover the issues, events and personalities in our industry in a journalistically sound manner going forward,” Phipps said. “The Jockey Club and its affiliated companies have many longstanding business and editorial relationships with other media organizations in this industry, and we will strive to maintain and enhance those relationships. We are pleased to welcome aboard John Keitt as Blood-Horse's new business leader.”
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