9 minute read
Q & A WITH FTBOA PRESIDENT
With New FTBOA President Valerie Dailey
TFH: First of all, thanks for your years of service on the FTBOA board of directors and congratulations on your recent election as FTBOA president. In the first few months of your tenure as President, what are your initial thoughts about the position? VD: Thank you, I’m humbled and honored to serve in this position. I want to thank Lonny Powell for having the foresight to encourage me to serve on the board, and I want to thank my fellow board members for giving me the opportunity to represent this organization as president. I feel fortunate to be able to serve an industry that is so vital to both the Florida and local economies. In our first few months, I have been working with Lonny and staff to ensure that the FTBOA continues to be front and center with our state legislators. We continually have to work with the Legislature, the horsemen, and the tracks to keep Florida thoroughbred racing moving forward and to maintain a solid purse structure. TFH: So how did you get involved in the FTBOA and what motivated you to step up your service to our Association specifically and the Florida thoroughbred breeding industry in general? VD: I’ve been a member of the FTBOA for 30 years now. I wanted to be more involved in the FTBOA years ago, but I was concerned that it would be difficult because I was a small breeder with no established reputation, and a woman. Fortunately, times change. The Florida thoroughbred breeding landscape is filled with smaller breeders who work hard every day alongside a number of large-scale breeders, the combination of which provides both depth and longevity to our industry. Owning and operating my real estate brokerage, Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and representing several of the area’s largest farms over the years allowed me to build a solid foundation behind my name. And the timing is right for a woman to hold the position of president. It all feels a bit serendipitous. TFH: Before we go any further, tell us a little bit more about yourself and your business, previous career highlights, and your history and involvement in Marion County and Florida? VD: Goodness, where to begin? I’m a long-time Marion County resident and I’ve loved horses ever since I was in kindergarten—my best friend had a pony and I wanted one too! As a small thoroughbred breeder since 1985, I’ve been blessed to breed multiple stakes winners, including a Breeder’s Cup starter.
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Q& A
I hold a Master’s in Agricultural Operations Management from the University of Florida as well as a Bachelor’s in Food and Resource Economics. I’ve also been a broker and owner of Showcase Properties of Central Florida, a top-performing local independent real estate brokerage, since 2013. With Showcase, I’ve had the honor of representing some of the area’s most storied farms as they changed hands, including Bridlewood Farm, Padua Stables, Winding Oaks Farm, and Cashel Stud. The firm has also taken part in sales of Hobeau Farm and the Pilchers’ Shade Tree Farm. It’s great to see a majority of these farms continue in the equine tradition. Getting involved and supporting the local community is one of my passions. As such, I stay involved as much as possible, through sponsorships, donations, and volunteering. I’m a member of the Marion County Value Adjustment Board, the 2022 Director for Marion County for the National Association of REALTORS®, on the
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Board and the State of Florida 4-H Foundation. I sponsor and support more than 20 different local organizations, events and charities, including the Florida Horse Park, the Marion Cultural Alliance, Horse Capital Television, the Southeastern Youth Fair and many others. In 2021, I also had the opportunity to participate in the latest iteration of Ocala’s Horse Fever public art project. Our horse, Hope, was “ I feel fortunate to created by local artist Paul Ware, who was inspired by family members and friends dealing with cancer. Hope honors anyone who’s had cancer in their life, and we at be able to serve Showcase Properties are working to make sure that we’re honoring Hope’s legacy. In October 2021, we were honored to host an unveiling of Hope in conjunction with the an industry that Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research, which raised nearly $20,000 for that organization in just one evening. is so vital to both TFH: Tell us about your family and your family-operated 3D Farm and how you got involved the Florida and local economies” with Florida thoroughbreds. VD: My husband, Hugh, and I will have been married for 30 years in February 2022. We have one daughter, Samantha, who is the third Dailey in 3D Farm, which we’ve operated since 1992. I used to give riding lessons to 4-H kids and my husband said, “If you are going to make any money in the horse business, you need to get involved in thoroughbreds.” The rest is history. Since then, we’ve had the good luck to raise multiple stakes winners and even a Breeders’ Cup starter. These days, we also have a herd of cattle, a boat manufacturing company and timber, in addition to our thoroughbred operation. TFH: As you noted, in addition to 3D Farm, your work in several agricultural fields, and your service on a number of agriculture-related boards, you own and operate Showcase Properties, a successful and high profile real estate business. Can you speak to the delicate balance of protecting our Marion County equine and farming culture in the face of rapid local growth and the need to responsibly accommodate an influx of new businesses and residents?
Valerie Dailey n Serita Hult Photo Valerie Dailey, Kaylee McNeil and Lori Jones n Serita Hult Photo
Q& A
VD: I think a well-balanced and thoughtful approach is required in order to create and sustain a thriving community—people want good restaurants, plenty of shopping opportunities and access to quality educational and medical facilities. This takes a lot of planning, including considering the need for affordable housing to support all of these local businesses and institutions. We also need manufacturing and other types of diversified businesses to continue to be a viable area. Green space is a crucial element in this mix as well, because it’s our place to breathe and escape—and it’s extremely difficult to regain once it’s lost to development. Especially here in Marion County, the green space isn’t so much a luxury as it is a necessity. Having the green space ensures there’s room for our thriving and growing equine industry to do just that. TFH: Over many years now, the FTBOA has earned a strong reputation and a great deal of respect in the state capital, working hard to maintain positive relationships and serve as a constructive resource for the various branches of state government. In your opinion, why is that important to FTBOA members, breeders, owners, and farms, and to the Florida thoroughbred industry as a whole? VD: It’s such a complex state of affairs in today’s world, with so many competing interests across numerous industries. It is vital to build and maintain positive relationships with both policymakers and our industry peers and to be consistent with our message. We will never see results if we don’t continuously work with thoroughbred breeders and owners, other industry stakeholders and our legislative delegation. I think we have a responsibility to educate those in positions of power who are not well-versed in the dynamics of our industry and help them make fully informed decisions and also to advocate for the kinds of policies that will ensure the longevity of our industry. TFH: Tell us about the Florida Thoroughbred PAC and how thoroughbred breeders, owners and industry members, along with friends and support-
ers, can participate in this very important program? VD: The future of the Florida thoroughbred industry, from the farm to the racetrack, will be highly influenced by the actions of our state and local government leaders. As such, the FTBOA has focused on creating, cultivating and strengthening the strongest possible network of relationships at the local, county and state levels. But it requires much more than just demonstrating our expertise and Colin & Kaylynne Brennan & Valerie Dailey n Serita Hult Photo putting in the time and effort to build these relationship—it also requires our industry to be actively engaged in political fundraising. It is important for each breeder “The future of the and the associated businesses and people who benefit from the breeding industry to consider Florida thoroughcontributing to the Florida Thoroughbred PAC so that our inter- bred industry, ests will be heard and championed in Tallahassee. from the farm The process is quick for breeders, who can set up an automatic contribution of a small percentage of to the racetrack, their incoming breeder awards. Legislators are bombarded every will be highly session by constituents, businesses, organizations, special interest groups, etc., all trying to be heard influenced by the and get their individual messages across. Proper PAC funding is es- actions of our state sential if we are to educate legislators about the economic impact of Florida’s $2.7 billion thorough- and local governbred industry, which creates more than 23,000 jobs and preserves ment leaders.” the scenic vistas of beautiful farmland within our state. Donating a small percentage of every breeder award you earn really does make a big difference in this process. FH
From coast to coast, Florida ’ s tax-friendly, pro-business environment is poised
■ No tax on stallion seasons ■ No personal state income tax ■ No individual capital gains tax ■ Florida ’ s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms ■ Physical climate
allows for year-round training, racing, showing and business opportunities
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Nicole “Nikki” Fried, Commissioner
Emily Hetherington • (850) 617-7291 (Office) Emily.Hetherington@FDACS.gov www.FDACS.gov
and ready to attract new companies and create new employment opportunities.
■ Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt ■ Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder ■ National leader in veterinary and equine research ■ Ranks second in the U.S. for number of thoroughbred horses
Lonny T. Powell, CEO
Tammy A. Gantt, Associate Vice President / Membership Services & Events 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 • 801 SW 60th Ave.
