FROM THE BOARDROOM

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 19, 2022, the board of directors of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association considered the following:

1. The board reviewed and approved the proposed 2023 Annual Plan for the payment of breeder, stallion and stakes awards. If approved by the state, the proposal would keep awards at the same level as 2021, with breeder awards paid at 10% of the announced gross purse on FTBOA-registered Florida-bred winners, 3% on second place, and 2% on third place, subject to specified caps. Stallion awards would be paid at 15% of the announced gross purse, with each award capped at $15,000.

This portion of the board meeting was open for members of the public to provide comments and/or observe the board’s proceedings, but no public comments were offered. 2. The board received a briefing from President Valerie Dailey on the Association’s legislative efforts and the legwork put into informing state legislators about the economic impact of the Florida Thoroughbred industry. Dailey also congratulated CEO Lonny Powell on being selected as the Executive of the Year by the Florida Society of Association Executives. Further, she noted Mr. Powell’s Van Ness Award from the American Horse Council earlier in the summer and thanked him for his dedication to the Association and his lifelong service to the industry. 3. The board received a briefing from Mr. Powell, who introduced and welcomed new senior leadership staff: associate vice president for operations and development Steve Koch and office manager/executive assistant Elaine K. Ansbacher. Ms. Ansbacher replaces retiring executive assistant Becky Robinson. Powell highlighted Ms. Robinson’s career and shared how she will be missed by the entire FTBOA team and membership.

Powell recognized outgoing Board members Valerie Dailey, Brent Fernung, and Phil Matthews, DVM, acknowledging their service as presidents of the Association.

Powell briefed the board on implementation of the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act at the tracks. Powell also noted ongoing contract discussions with Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs on the 2023 Florida-bred Stakes program.

Powell briefed the board on Florida Equine Communications’ new strategic initiatives with Kaplan Media, which include a biweekly podcast for the industry, video opportunities, and Kaplan’s professional production studio housed in the FTBOA headquarters building. 4. The board received a briefing from lobbyist Matt Bryan on the FTBOA’s legislative efforts as the 2022 mid-term elections approach. Mr. Bryan also provided an informational update on the Florida Thoroughbred PAC, explaining how recipients of breeder awards can direct 5% of those awards to the PAC and how important the PAC’s efforts are to building support for the industry at the local and state level. 5. The board received a legal briefing from Warren Husband on legal and regulatory developments surrounding the pending federal court challenge to the new Seminole Gaming Compact, the state court case brought by the Florida Standardbred Breeders to challenge the “decoupling” provisions of the 2021 pari-mutuel law, the ongoing implementation of HISA, and the early operations of the new Florida Gaming Control Commission. 6. The 2022 FTBOA board of directors’ election was discussed, per the timeline announced at the May 27 board meeting. For 2022, there are five director vacancies on the FTBOA board to be filled, for three-year terms extending until October 2025. Pursuant to the Association’s bylaws, the current board of directors nominated the following five candidates for these vacancies: (1) Jerry Campbell; (2) Mary Lightner; (3) Mike Hall; and incumbents (4) Marilyn Campbell and (5) Joe O’Farrell. Each candidate previously agreed to run and to serve as an FTBOA director.

In addition to the board’s authority to nominate candidates for the five available director positions, the FTBOA bylaws also

allow a candidate to self-nominate by circulating a petition and obtaining 25 member signatures. The timeline for petition circulation and submission was June – July 2022. No such petitions were filed. As provided in the Association’s bylaws, because there are only five candidates for the five director vacancies, members will not be required to cast ballots and these five candidates will be deemed elected to office upon the presiding officer calling the FTBOA’s Annual Meeting to order at 1 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Ocala Breeders Sales. An official notice for the Annual Meeting will be sent out on Sept. 21 via e-mail (or mailed to those without e-mail). The meeting is also typically noticed in trade publications and other member communications.

7. The board received a briefing on FTBOA events from associate vice president for membership and events Tammy Gantt. The Florida Thoroughbred Charities golf tournament is planned for Oct. 7 at Stone Creek. Upcoming deadlines and events include Aug. 31 for Florida-Bred Foal registration, and Nov. 15 for Florida Sire Stakes yearling payments and for late Florida stallion registration payments. The first leg of FTBOA’s Florida Sire Stakes was held on Aug. 6, with the next two on Sept. 3 and Oct. 1. The FTBOA Holiday Charity Open House is Dec. 2. 8. The board received a briefing from Ms. Ansbacher about the students awarded scholarships for the 2022/23 school year.

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 21, 2022, the board of directors of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association considered the following:

1. The board welcomed new directors Jerry Campbell, Mike Hall, and Mary Lightner and returning directors Marilyn Campbell and Joe O’Farrell. They are filling the five director vacancies on the 15-member FTBOA board that come up each year, with these particular three-year terms running until October 2025. 2. The board heard a farewell and thank you from outgoing President Valerie Dailey. She emphasized the importance of continuing the Association’s legislative efforts and political fundraising. 3. The board voted in the following slate of new officers for 2022-2023: George Isaacs as president; George Russell as first vice president; Francis Vanlangendonck as second vice president; Joe O’ Farrell as treasurer; and Nick de Meric as secretary. 4. The board received a briefing from CEO Lonny Powell. He thanked outgoing President Dailey for her service. He noted she would still remain on the board in an advisory capacity as the immediate past president. He also recognized outgoing board members Phil Matthews and Brent Fernung.

Mr. Powell highlighted the 2022 Annual Membership Meeting, which was held just before the board meeting.

Powell also discussed recent discussions with the tracks and horsemen surrounding the 2023 Florida-bred stakes program. The Tampa Bay Downs program for 2023 will be similar to the one for 2022, with a signed agreement now in place. 5. The board received a briefing from Matt Bryan on the Association’s legislative and governmental affairs efforts, as we all await the outcome of the mid-term elections. Mr. Bryan noted the importance of the Florida Thoroughbred PAC. 6. The board received a legal briefing from Warren Husband on legal and regulatory developments surrounding the activities of the newly formed Florida Gaming Control Commission, including its recent approval of the FTBOA 2023 Annual Awards Plan. Mr. Husband also discussed the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and its effects on racing in Florida and the U.S., including HISA’s recently released financial assessment on Florida to pay for HISA regulation at Gulfstream and Tampa Bay Downs. Powell and Husband also shared updates on contract negotiations with Gulfstream Park on the 2023 Florida-Bred Stakes program. 7. CFO Peggy Yost highlighted key Florida-bred statistics at the state’s tracks, which can be found in the Association’s publications. Florida-Breds and the progeny of Florida stallions perform well at Florida tracks, winning four of 10 races year-round. 8. The board received a briefing from Charity Committee Chair Valerie Dailey on the Florida Thoroughbred Charities golf tournament, which was a fundraising success. Speakers at the luncheon included Dr. Dianne McFarlane from the University of Florida and FTBOA member Dr. Tiffany Atteberry, DVM, who rode in the Mongol Derby. 9. Steve Koch, associate vice president for operations and development, reported on the production studio initiative with Kaplan Media that launched on July 1, with The Florida Horse podcast performing well and growing its audience. 10. The board received a briefing from Tammy Gantt, associate vice president for membership and events, about member services and recent events. Important dates and deadlines include Nov. 15 for Florida Sire Stakes yearling payments and for late Florida stallion registration payments. On Nov. 23, Horse Farms Forever will host a Summit at OBS. Bridlewood Farm owner John Malone, who was awarded the national TOBA Robert Clay Award for conservation, will be awarded HFF’s conservation award, the Acorn, for his preservation efforts. TFH