As Rep. Matt Koch opened a Kentucky legislative committee hearing Sept. 28 in Frankfort, he took a moment to recognize former Gov. Brereton Jones, who enjoyed great success in Thoroughbred breeding at his Airdrie Stud base before his death Sept. 18.
Koch (Republican, Paris), who chairs the Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulation, outlined the great things in Kentucky racing today that Jones helped bring about through his support of the industry while governor as well as being a driving force behind the launch of the Kentucky Equine Education Project. Koch noted that Thursday’s meeting followed in that spirit.
Like Jones, Koch also is directly involved in the industry, as operator of Shawhan Place farm near Paris, Ky. He said with 60,000 jobs directly tied to horse racing and breeding in Kentucky, it was important to keep lawmakers up to date on the industry.
“What a legacy for Gov. Jones,” Koch said of the success of KEEP and Historical Horse Racing games that have boosted Kentucky racing. “We’re not going to do a moment of silence because I think Gov. Jones would want us to roll right in and talk about horses. So that’s what we’re going to do.”
The Kentucky lawmakers heard from leading horse racing organizations in Thursday’s hearing, including representatives from The Jockey Club. Jim Gagliano, president and COO of The Jockey Club, outlined his organization, its operations, and charitable initiatives. He noted that The Jockey Club is a large employer in Kentucky and supports charitable groups that operate in the state.
Sign up for BloodHorse Daily
“While The Jockey Club is registered as a state of New York corporation, the vast majority of our operations are here in the Bluegrass,” Gagliano said. “In 2022 in our offices in Lexington and at racetracks across the Commonwealth, we employ 183 persons with a total payroll of more than $13 million.”
Jamie Eads, executive director of the KHRC, outlined the booming purses in Kentucky and the success of Kentucky-breds in racing and how that money supports Kentuckians. She also introduced the KHRC’s new safety steward Beth Bungert, who outlined her plans to monitor statistics and data provided by InCompass, a technology solutions company formed by The Jockey Club, to help her improve equine safety.
Sen. Damon Thayer (Republican, Georgetown), a Thoroughbred owner with deep ties to the industry who serves as the majority floor leader, congratulated the KHRC’s efforts to improve Kentucky racing and breeding. He credited the efforts of the committee and lawmakers to facilitate a strong industry in Kentucky at a time when other states are facing significant challenges to their racing and breeding industries.
“I think this committee owes this racing commission a huge thank you because of the implementation that they have done of bills we have passed,” Thayer said. “Historical Horse Racing has changed the world for Kentucky and they’ve done a terrific job overseeing the implementation and the regulation to protect bettors, fans, and horsemen.”
Other Thoroughbred industry-related representatives at the meeting included Breeders’ Cup, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund. Other horse related representatives included Kentucky Quarter Horse Racing Association and The Red Mile (Standardbred racing).
Note: The Jockey Club is majority owner of BloodHorse.
Leave feedback about this