
Business

Jill Byrne tabbed as new VTA executive director
Jill Byrne will take the reins as the new executive director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, representing breeders.

Md. Racing Commission OKs Maryland-Virginia stakes
The Maryland Racing Commission signed off on a controversial proposal to blend Maryland-restricted and Virginia-restricted stakes Wednesday.
Book’em Danno repeats as NJ-bred horse of the year
Book’em Danno, a Grade 1 winner and earner of $800,000 in 2024, has been named New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year for the second year in a row.
Maryland-bred champions announced
Future Is Now and Post Time are the big winners among Maryland-bred champions, announced this week, with the horse of the year still to be revealed.
Travis Stone to announce Virginia Derby meet
Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone will call the action at Colonial Downs during next month’s Virginia Derby mini-meet.
Marylander Jenna Elliott wins Eclipse Awards sweepstakes
Jenna Elliott, a 31-year-old horsewoman from Monkton, Md., has won the Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards Sweepstakes.
Inglis Digital Feb. sale to include PA-bred session
Next month’s Inglis Digital USA online horse sale will feature a selection of Pennsylvania-breds presented by the PA Horse Breeders Association.
Former KY Sen. Damon Thayer to keynote HBPA conference
Damon Thayer — who championed racing during his tenure in the Kentucky General Assembly — will be the keynote speaker at the National HBPA Conference
Rodney Jenkins celebration to be Jan. 14
A celebration of trainer Rodney Jenkins’ life, postponed because of the weather, will take place Jan. 14 at Laurel Park.
Spikezone named HBPA Claiming Horse of the Year
Spikezone, who overcame two knee surgeries to go 11-for-14 as a 5-year-old, has been named the HBPA Claiming Horse of the Year.
Colonial Downs announces Va. Derby ticket options
Colonial Downs has announced ticket options and prices for Virginia Derby day, with the Derby, now a Kentucky Derby points race, to be Mar. 15.
John Stewart, Jayson Werth new owners of the year
OwnerView announced today that the 2024 New Owner of the Year is being awarded to John Stewart and Jayson Werth.
HISA announces research into equine sudden deaths
HISA announced it had made grants to support two projects analyzing exercise-associated sudden death among horses.
HISA adds three to ADMC committee
HISA announced today it would add three new members to its Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) standing committee.
Aftercare grants made to 83 groups
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced today it had made more than $4 million in grants to 83 accredited organizations.
MTROA: Pimlico plan may preserve current track layout
Maryland’s MTROA may jettison its plan to rotate the Pimlico racing strip, saving the historic track and a substantial amount of money.
Showing of “Maryland’s Horse” slated for Nov. 25
The Maryland Horse Library and Education Center on November 25 will present a showing of “Maryland’s Horse,” a 1960s-era film about racing.
HISA seeks new horsemen’s advisory group members
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is seeking applicants to join its horsemen’s advisory group.
OwnerView webinar tackles state-bred incentives
The most recent OwnerView webinar took place November 5 and examined state-bred incentive programs around the country.
HISA seeks to limit provisional suspensions
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is seeking to limit the use of provisional suspensions in its medication control program.