KEEP Announces New Board Members

[Wandering Eyes]

The Kentucky Equine Education Project(KEEP) has added five new members to its Board of Directors: Sean Beirne, Director of the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program; Debra Hamelback, Executive Director of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association; Carl McEntee, President of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club and Managing Partner of Ballysax Bloodstock; Ted Nicholson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Kentucky Downs; and Dr. Andy Roberts, a veterinarian and a member of the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians Board of Directors.

“KEEP has had many successes. Most economically significant is the implementation of the Kentucky Breeder’s Incentive Fund which has paid breeders over $141 million for breeding successful runners,” KEEP chairman Doug Cauthen said. “KEEP also assisted significantly with the passage of Historical Horse Racing and has supported its implementation at the racetracks in Kentucky, which has not only helped the tracks, but, most importantly, increased purses dramatically. The trickle down economic impact for Kentucky is significant, in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Keeping and growing the horse industry for all breeds is the core of KEEP’s mission, and we need passionate and motivated board members to continue that. KEEP is focused on the future of the industry and that includes the recent position the organization has taken on the health and safety of the horse. The new board members that we have added will help us continue this success and evolve to meet the new challenges that KEEP and the horse industry will face.”

Coinciding with the sale of his interest in Kentucky Downs, Corey Johnson will be leaving the KEEP board. He had served as the board’s longtime chairman for a number of years.

“KEEP and the Kentucky horse industry owe a great deal of thanks to Corey for his steadfast leadership and guidance,” said Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP’s Executive Vice President who oversees the organization’s operations. “His leadership in establishing Historical Horse Racing at Kentucky Downs led to adjunct revenue streams for racetracks and supplemented purses to the tune of $30 million since its inception. Corey has been integral to the work of KEEP and we are grateful for his dedication to the organization.”

 

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