Letter to the Editor: Thoughts on our Family Feud

[Wandering Eyes]

In the age of social media, I realize that I'm writing this at my own peril. And I'm probably once again spitting in the wind. However, I feel like someone needs to speak up on a few things concerning our latest self-inflicted crisis regarding our lack of unity and dysfunction as an industry.

To say that as an industry we continue to be “The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight” is an understatement. We have been that way for the 40-plus years I've been involved in horse racing. Hence, the reason why we are not a major league sport or entity. I also have to preface this by saying that I do not participate in any form of social media. I tried it and decided years ago it was not for me. So, I am not familiar with Mike Repole's social media communications. I've never spoken to Mike about his goal for reform. I also want to say that Aron Wellman is a friend of mine. He is someone that I like very much. To me he represents the future of our industry. He is smart and I admire the success he has had over a long period of time. I applaud his and Mike's passion and goal to make things better. So, with that said, here are some of my opinions on our latest family feud.

1. I feel very strongly that what horse racing has always most sorely lacked is that we do not have a central governing body. The absence of one has been our Achilles Heel. In order to have an effective one, that organization has to have power–power to influence and regulate behavior. (We have tried establishing one with a commissioner, twice. It failed both times because it had no power). To say that The Jockey Club is that entity is false. It isn't in their mission statement, nor do I think it is their goal or intention. They serve as the breed registry and provide other services to the industry while funneling profits back to us. Is it an adequate amount? Should their corpus be handled differently? I guess that is a matter of opinion and debate. What isn't open for debate is they recognized aftercare was an industry issue, (along with Jack Wolf and others who were the pioneers in this space), established and support the TAA, recognized a need to get us back on television, pay to have us on television, provide a safety net to industry participants, were instrumental in creating a uniform set of rules for medication, promote the sport, and do other things that are all positive influences.

2. I agree that over the past many years almost every important measurable statistic has declined. Is that The Jockey Club's fault? I think it is the collective industry's fault, primarily a result of our lack of unity and a central governing body. My late friend and mentor Anthony Manganaro described it best. Everyone fights over making their slice of the pie bigger rather than trying to build a bigger pie. We are our own worst enemy and biggest obstacle. We refuse to get in the boat and row together in the same direction. When you do that, the boat moves forward. When you don't, the current pushes you the other way.

3. I take exception to the attacks on the Board of Stewards. I know all of them and instead of attacking them, we should be thanking them for serving. Everett Dobson and Vinnie Viola are first-class gentlemen who bring perspectives and best practices from the NBA and NHL. Louis Cella created a model for how a successful racetrack operates. Bill Farish, Bret Jones and David O'Farrell operate very successful breeding farms. In my opinion, they are all men of impeccable integrity. Are they overseeing an organization that has a direct bearing on their activities in the industry? Of course they are. The same way the owners of the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB operate.

4. Aftercare: I have been on the executive committee of the TAA since 2018. We have a $4-million budget and the JC contributes 30%. It is just in very recent years that the broader industry has started to realize that aftercare is an issue that determines our social license with the general public. They want to see that we care for these wonderful animals when their racing career ends. Aftercare is a huge undertaking with many silos and it is the responsibility of everyone to SHARE and SOLVE and so far the JC has been one of the leaders in this space. So how about everyone steps up and contributes? Owners, jockeys, trainers from purses. All sales participants when buying and selling. Stallion farms from stud fees. Ancillary businesses where their primary source of revenue comes from our industry. Racetracks, veterinary firms, tote and ADW companies, van companies, blacksmiths, etc. What I don't understand is why this is The Jockey Club's responsibility to solve?  Why are they the ones to blame when this is an industry issue and too big for any one entity to solve. What we need is total industry buy-in and cooperation–not finger-pointing and arrow-slinging. When you choose to enter and participate in our industry, I think  former TAA President Jimmy Bell said it best. “Aftercare is your responsibility, not your option.”

5. I think there are two very clear reasons our foal crop continues to decline at an alarming rate. First, we have lost many breeders who were breed-to-race people and had a passion for the undertaking. There are just very few of them in the business today. As a result, participants primarily consist of breeders involved in the commercial aspect of the business. In my experience, they are motivated by making a profit, and in my experience, that is very hard to do on a consistent basis. Second, regional breeding programs have been decimated by market changes and our shrinking pie. Perhaps if we can build a bigger pie, make breeding a more consistently profitable enterprise, that may change?

I'll be the first to admit that, despite my efforts, like those before me, I'm part of the demographic that has failed to create change in the right direction. Although we have had some wins, it hasn't been good enough. However, I've never been afraid to speak out or try. I think we all have a responsibility to our wonderful sport and these amazing animals we choose to work and associate with. For all these years, it has broken my heart and frustrated me because I know how good we could be. However, we won't ever get there if we can't get on the same team and realize the enemy is not us. It has never seemed that complicated to me. This isn't Israel/Hamas or Ukraine/Russia. But we sure do treat it that way, which is why nothing will change. I don't believe the answer is to tear it all down and start over. I don't believe the answer is to throw the bums out. I believe the answer is to get in the boat and row in the same direction.

Wouldn't that be something new and different and maybe worth trying?

 

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