NTRA ANNUAL REPORT to the MEMBERSHIP | 2011-2012 1 ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Inc. NTRA Safety & NTRA Charities NTRA Integrity Alliance Advantage Launched in 1998, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) is a not-for-profit, membership-based trade association for the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. NTRA membership is broadly defined and consists of leading Thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers, horseplayers, veterinarians, jockeys, wagering service providers, and affiliated horse racing associations. The NTRA is charged with increasing the popularity of horse racing and improving the economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA is served by a Board of Directors that is comprised of representatives from member racetracks and horsemen, including owners and breeders. The NTRA operates three subsidiaries: NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance Establishes standards and practices to promote safety and integrity in horse racing and secures their implementation. NTRA Charities, Inc. Promotes and supports charities in or related to the Thoroughbred industry. NTRA Advantage Delivers cost reductions and efficiencies to NTRA members and associated member organizations through group purchasing. TABLE of CONTENTS ORGANIZATION S TRU C TU RE ........................................ INSIDE FRON T COVER MESSAGE from the N TRA P RE S I D E N T and CEO ........................................... 2 B OA RD of D I RE C TORS ...................................................................... 4 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS , A C C RE D I TE D RA C E TRA C K S and A FFI LI A TE S .............. 5 FI N A N C I A L OV E RV I E W .................................................................... 6 N TRA S A FE TY and I N TE G RI TY A LLI A N C E ................................................. 8 G OV E RN M E N T A FFA I RS .................................................................... 9 E C LI P S E A W A RD S ......................................................................... 1 0 N A TI ON A L HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP .......................................... 1 2 D I G I TA L MEDIA ........................................................................... 1 3 N TRA COM M UNICATIONS ................................................................ 1 4 N TRA C H A RI TI E S .......................................................................... 1 5 N TRA A D V A N TA G E ........................................................................ 1 6 A FI N A L W ORD ............................................................................ 1 8 FI N A N C I A L S TA TE M E N TS ................................................................. 1 9 I N D U S TRY P ROG RA M S ............................................... INSIDE BACK COVER Photos: © Horsephotos.com/NTRA 1 MESSAGE from the NTRA PRESIDENT and CEO June 2012 Thoroughbred racing in the context of renewed attempts to secure passage of new legislation that would legalize poker Following several years and other forms of gaming on the Internet. Horse racing of negative business has offered legal pari-mutuel wagering on the Internet trends driven primarily for more than a decade under the aegis of the Interstate by the world-wide Horseracing Act and any move to open this market to other economic recession, the forms of gaming must positively address the interests of Thoroughbred industry horse racing. began to show signs of recovery in 2011 as pari- NTRA’s marketing and communications efforts expanded mutuel handle began to stabilize and purses increased in 2011 through a joint initiative with The Jockey Club when compared to the previous year. The breeding and that led to the hiring of two additional employees to sales markets also showed signs of recovery after several focus on mainstream and social media. The results were years of decline. immediate with broadened coverage of the sport by a number of mainstream media outlets. For an unprecedented third consecutive year, the racing headlines were dominated by a distaff competitor. Havre de The Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Grace became the third consecutive female, following in the Championship continued to grow, with a record number footsteps of Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, to be voted of tournaments in 2011 leading to the January 2012 Horse of the Year. In addition to crowning Havre de Grace Championship where Baton Rouge, La., political as the Horse of the Year and Champion Older Female, the consultant Mike Beychok won $1 million and an Eclipse 2011 Eclipse Awards festivities were highlighted by several Award as Handicapper of the Year. The 2012 NHC final poignant and memorable moments. They included the marked the first held at Treasure Island Las Vegas. acceptance of the Special Eclipse Award by Robert Cole, The NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance continued to serve Jr., the owner of Rapid Redux, who won 19 consecutive its dual functions as an advocacy and implementation races in 2011 as part of a remarkable streak of 22 straight vehicle designed to bring about uniform safety victories. Cot Campbell, widely acknowledged as the improvements on a national scale. Backed by 55 racetracks, founder of the modern-day ownership syndicate model, all major horsemen’s groups, regulators, the American joined an illustrious group of recipients when he received Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and other the Eclipse Award of Merit for his lifetime of achievements industry stakeholder organizations, the NTRA formed the in the Thoroughbred industry. Safety & Integrity Alliance in October 2008. The industry’s 2011 legislative activities in Washington, Through a Code of Standards and an accreditation process, D.C., revolved largely around protecting and promoting the Alliance implements standards in the following areas: 2 (1) injury reporting and prevention; (2) safety equipment With brighter economic prospects on the horizon and and a safer racing environment; (3) medication and testing; continued support from an array of industry participants, (4) health and safety of jockeys; (5) aftercare and second we are cautiously optimistic that Thoroughbred racing will careers for retired equine athletes; and (6) wagering continue its rebound in 2012 and beyond. Please feel free security. Each year’s Code contains new standards to share with us your thoughts, comments and concerns and protocols, thereby continuously raising the bar for at any time. We welcome your opinions and thank you for accreditation, compliance and excellence in racing. your support. In 2011, the Alliance accredited 2 new tracks and reaccredited 14 tracks bringing the total number of Sincerely, accredited tracks nationwide to 23. The Alliance also held its second Professional Education (ProEd) seminar. The two-day seminar, which was held at Keeneland and streamed on the Internet to a global audience, brought together some of the world’s Alexander M. Waldrop foremost researchers and equine experts to discuss issues President and CEO ranging from jockey health care to equine retirement and retraining. The Alliance also joined with NTRA Advantage in 2011 to host the 11th Track Superintendents day. The two-day event was held at Parx (Philadelphia Park) and brought together nearly 50 track maintenance experts to discuss issues relating to racetrack safety and maintenance. NTRA partner John Deere continued its support for Track Superintendents day for an 11th consecutive year. NTRA Advantage, the industry’s joint purchasing arm, continued to provide millions of dollars in savings to industry participants. Advantage renewed its long-standing partnership with John Deere in 2011 and extended its affiliations with member organizations such as American Quarter Horse Association and the United States Equestrian Federation. 3 2011 BOARD of DIRECTORS The NTRA Board of Directors consists of the NTRA Horsemen director seats include representatives CEO and representatives for racetracks and for horsemen, from The Jockey Club, National Horsemen’s Benevolent owners and breeders. and Protective Association, Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Track director seats include independent representatives Association and Thoroughbred Owners of California. and two major track companies: Keeneland Association and Breeders’ Cup Limited has two horsemen director seats. the New York Racing Association. track representatives owner/breeder/horsemen representatives Independent Seats Antony Beck Robert N. Elliston Breeders’ Cup Limited Turfway Park Midwestern Region Reynolds Bell Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Craig Fravel At-Large Robert Clay F. Jack Liebau, Sr. The Jockey Club Hollywood Park Alan Foreman Western Region Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Dennis Robinson Satish Sanan New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority Breeders’ Cup Limited Eastern Region Pablo Suarez Racetrack Company Seats Thoroughbred Owners of California Charles Hayward New York Racing Association ntra corporate officers Robert N. Elliston Nick Nicholson Executive Chairman Keeneland Association Alexander M. Waldrop President and CEO Robert Watt Secretary Vicki L. Baumgardner Treasurer 4 2011 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS, ACCREDITED RACETRACKS and AffILIATES $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Map Key NTRA Member Track NTRA Member Horsemen’s Association NTRA Member Off-Track $ Betting Association $ NTRA Affiliate $ $ National Handicapping Championship Qualifying Site Founding Members American