PREAKNESS PREDICTIONS

For three years Hold Your Horses Magazine has been around, first in hard copy and then in 2011, it started in its present on-line format.

As horsemen started to suffer not only because of economic times, but also poor leadership at the FTBOA, Hold Your Horses became a venue and a sounding board for the small breeder as well as a prod for change in the “Brick Building”.

I had served on the Florida Thoroughbred Managers’ Board of Directors for some ten years or so with my initial term candidacy being urged on by then President Bobby Jones.  The FTFM prided itself at that time as being not only a charitable organization, but also a place that the “little guy” could turn to in times of need as well as having an organization that catered to the little man’s voice.  After a three year hiatus, I again ran for the board at the urging of many members and was elected by a generous margin according to people who were involved in the tally.

Two weeks ago, I received a phone call from FTFM President Jim Scott.  He wanted to know if I was going to write about the Farm Managers meeting that took place on March 27, 2012 with guest speakers FTBOA President Phil Matthews and CEO Lonny Powell.  I assured him that I was.  He informed me that he thought it was a conflict of interest since I was on the FTFM Board of Directors and that my asking questions at the meeting was inappropriate as well.  I told him that I did not see it that way as I had Hold Your Horses Magazine and Website before I was elected to this term.  Jim then asked me to forward him my column when completed.  I agreed to do that and did after I had sent it to print.  Jim thought he was going to edit my column as he indicated at the FTFM board meeting on April 11, 2012.

At that meeting Jim said, “I want you off the board”.  He said that a stallion farm had informed him that they would not be donating stallion seasons to the FTFM auction if he did not correct this “conflict of interest”.  I asked him which farm?  He replied that it was Journeyman Farm – Brent & Crystal Fernung.  When Jim also stated that I had written that Journeyman Stud should be boycotted, I informed him that it was not true as I had never said that in any column.  His reply with a puzzled look on his face was, ”You didn’t?”.   I repeated, “No” and asked him if he had read the columns.  He replied, “No”.  I wonder how any leader of an organization can make decisions without crucial and accurate information.  The answer is simple; it just didn’t matter.  Those FTFM directors who work for FTBOA board members already had their marching orders.  He also said that I would be hearing from FTFM attorney Michael Siboni about my removal.  I told him he did not need to do that, just have a board vote. (Why waste the money?)

That vote was taken after some discussion and the following Board Members voted to have me removed even though most said they had not read what I had written because they were internet challenged.  Ken Breitenbecker, former employee of FTBOA board member Brent Fernung and Journeyman Stud and now an employee of FTBOA  board member Bonnie Heath; George Isaacs, former FTBOA board member and farm manager at Bridlewood farm owned by FTBOA board member Linda Appleton Potter; Bobby Jones, former FTBOA board member; FTFM President Jim Scott, farm manager for Kinsman farm owned by FTBOA board member Jessica Steinbrenner;  and Bill Rainbow, who is happy as a clam with what the FTBOA is doing.  As you can see, two of the above board members served on the boards of FTBOA and FTFM simultaneously, supposedly without being in conflict.

Board member Bill Bazzell was absent.  Board member Gordon Reiss voted against removing Steele. 

I thank those who elected me to office and I was proud to represent you. It seems that the term “conflict of interest ” cuts one way with the FTFM board.  The membership elected me in order to have a voice in their own destiny as well as to show that they want to have change in the direction that Florida breeding is travelling.

The fact that a stallion farm would withhold seasons whose revenue benefits charities, as well as individuals that have fallen on hard times, speaks volumes.  This is not the first time that Journeyman Stud has withheld stallion seasons.   According to Executive Director Debbe Wojack, two years ago Journeyman Stud refused to donate seasons because they lost their placing in the Farm Managers’ Directory due to not making the deadline even after several extensions.  She also said that they withheld donating stallion seasons this year until the last moment and after much begging by board member Breitenbecker. Then, when Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) was announced as Stallion of The Year at the annual Farm Managers Stallion Auction and Awards, they were infuriated because Wildcat Heir did not get the award.  This kind of stuff is pretty mean spirited when the end result is to hurt a great organization that is a mainstay of charity in the community.

I would have to say that there is nothing that I could do that would hurt Journeyman Stud as bad as what they have done to themselves.

Equally alarming is the fact that President Jim Scott called board members days ahead of the meeting to line up the votes he needed to oust a member from the board and gave them the same inaccurate information that he has been spreading while pleading his case as to why that member should be removed. No sunshine there!

When an elected board of a charitable organization chooses to bow to the interests of people trying to harm that organization rather than the members who elected them, there is cause for concern.

If you think you can guess this months “Where Am I?” 

HYH:  1. The most talked about subject in the thoroughbred community is the revamping of the voting process for FTBOA board positions. In October membership was told that there would be changes and five months later….nothing. What  progress has been made on this?

Lonny Powell:   I’m glad I am not playing you in poker as you have already begun this interview by reading through the back of my card! I was hoping you would ask me about this. In all real (and timely seriousness), modernizing our Associations’ system of governance (particularly the elections process) is a top priority of this administration, Board and its’ President Dr. Phil Matthews. It is also something that I, as the new CEO, am very supportive of and advocate as one of several more immediate priorities. I, like others, have been a member of numerous boards over the years and have seen a wide variety of ways leadership is chosen. I have also been directly involved in helping assist as an agent of change in meaningful reforms and enhancements related to non -profit governance.
I anticipate our devoting some additional quality discussion time regarding our next steps on this issue during our March Board meeting which I believe will include our Board President designating a special committee to begin the process of recommending how a refreshed and modernized election process might look. I am confident that there will be some positive and well received modifications taken up as a result of these healthy, inward reflecting discussions. Phil is an ideal guy to navigate our Membership through these waters of transition in policy, strategy and culture
By way of professional experience, our work in this area doesn’t end with whatever our next revisions might be. As a dynamic and viable organization we will need to continue to review and fine-tune things such as by-laws and elections on an ongoing and proactive basis.
One side comment intended in all due respect, at least from my early vantage point, I thought the “5 months later…nothing” opinion woven into the question was an unfair and inaccurate comment to use to describe this particular Board on this specific issue or any other. If you look at how much change this Association has undertaken since just this past Fall you would likely see more emphasis and results on change and forward thinking during that short window of time than any other in the Associations’ recent history, or perhaps ever. We should never let the natural desire to be critical outweigh the genuine need to be fair and accurate.

HYH:  2. Some members feel that the Wire to Wire has out-lived its usefulness because the Internet gives the stats and up-to-date news days before it hits the Wire to Wire pages.  What changes are in the future, such as going strictly Internet?

Lonny Powell:  Please allow me the opportunity, at this point, to preface virtually every one of my remaining responses by emphasizing that there isn’t a publication we produce or policy or program we offer that won’t be getting reviewed by me for strengths, areas in need of improvement and possible future changes and enhancements. That’s what experienced people like me in positions like mine are supposed to do and be fairly astute at. Like any membership (or readership) organization involved in the media publication business, we are faced with numerous challenges including reaching equally a very broad-based and diverse group of members who range from the most technologically equipped on to those who do not even communicate with email. Just as the Blood-Horse, Thoroughbred Times, Horsemen’s’ Journal and the various state bred publications continue to wrestle with technology driven challenges and opportunities, the immediacy of the internet, etc. and engage in almost yearly discussions of “Hard copy vs. electronic”, so do we. With electronic communications being what they are today in terms of access and immediacy, every news and publication platform must continue to review and re- invent itself in order to remain relevant and serve a purpose. Finding and keeping the right balance between publications versus websites versus social media and whatever else lies out there in the technology/communications universe that lay people like me are not yet aware of.
This much we know, Wire to Wire has a strong, loyal and mostly local following. Having a copy of it is important to many of our Members who are very passionate about it as well as our flagship publication THE FLORIDA HORSE. We also know it (Wire to Wire) covers its direct costs from a business perspective. We also know that there are certain agreements and restrictions related to racing data and how we are permitted to use in print versus the Web that make this specific product not as “net friendly” as one might think for our particular area. With all that being said, and knowing that this publication does not burden us economically while also assuming there is no material PR or other negative to the Florida Thoroughbred industry in having one more printed publication of interest to the local breeding and racing scene, why be in a rush to eliminate it?

HYH:  3. Why does a thoroughbred organization have a non-thoroughbred magazine (Horse Capital Digest) that takes money and resources away from the organization?  This magazine has always been a  loser financially and is out of place in a thoroughbred organization.

Lonny Powell:  Maybe I missing something here but this is a “no- brainer” in my mind. Part of what we do is that we are in the equine publication business and this niche and highly specialized publication not only has a complimentary market, it helps off-set our already in place costs to be in the overall publication business. Combine that with the fact that we in the Thoroughbred business see many of our horses (including former racers) competing on the hunter-jumper and other show and contest levels. Does this make them not horses or Thoroughbreds? Does this mean those participating in that part of the equine business (particularly the youth competitors) is not important to our respective industry and future? In this day in age when many in the community, media, elected office and elsewhere are asking you and us what happens to retired race horses, I for one am most appreciative of the fact that so many Thoroughbreds have found happy lives within the Show world. My daughter, who went on to be quite an accomplished hunter-jumper in Kentucky, honed many of her horsemanship skills on the backs of retired spirited yet kind Thoroughbreds who once were part of our business and sport.

I may be over simplifying but….if it (HCD) covers its costs and more, promotes the local horse industry and helps our community stay in touch with the show worlds and other breeds during these challenging times….why not be in the game versus sitting in the stands?
Sometimes I think we should all take comfort in the fact that it is (thankfully) OUR HORSE (versus we “flawed and sometimes overly negative thinking humans”) OUR HORSES who serve as the BEST ambassadors for our business, community and ultimate sport.

HYH:  4. Members pay the same fees as non- members for advertising. Why would discount rates for members not be part of members’ benefits? One would think it would boost membership revenue as well as make members feel that they were getting a benefit.

Lonny Powell: I love ideas that can help us bring meaningful value-add to the widest cross-sections of membership possible. I am not sure if this suggestion is one of those but we will discuss in relationship to some other things. I do think most of us feel there is value in their current $50 FTBOA membership (the cost of the complimentary FLORIDA HORSE received alone exceeds that value) already. I do think we will always be open to enhancing the benefits and experience of membership.
In addition to the internal offerings (including your suggestion) to research, I’d like to think there may be some external perks or offerings within the community or industry that a membership might be able to attract in terms of future value-added offerings.

HYH:  5. If not for the Stallion Farms the advertising dollars would be almost nothing and cannot sustain FEP.  How do you propose to increase revenue in that area?

Lonny Powell:  They are a critical part of the equation. Their high degree of competitiveness facilitates some really innovative and aggressive marketing with these stallion operations. These marketing efforts that they invest heavily in, at least in my opinion, really help keep the “buzz” and “sizzle” out there for all of us to benefit from.

The key for their success as well as the other interests who make up our breeding and horse ownership industries will be an economic rising tide that will lift all boats within our sector of the industry. Within the Thoroughbred business we really need for all sectors ranging from farms to tracks to our local (and nationally for the “long haul”) industry to become stronger. I just don’t see how the complete breeding related chain of stakeholders can be truly and sustainably healthy economically if one or more of the links are carrying pain or burden beyond their fair share or, conversely, benefiting at the material expense of the others.

We also need to make sure that our progeny stakes programs for FL breds remain in place – even if we need to take over the administration of them. These heavily invested stallion as well as other farm and center owners also badly need, as do we all of course but , perhaps, they even more so in some ways, this economy to really turn around and for asset values to climb again.

HYH:  6. In your short time here you must have noticed that the spending of FTBOA money has been fast and free with trips outside of the country.  If the organization has money for that, and with the Florida Breeders’ program free falling behind other states, when can the members expect to utilize the 5% that is not being tapped for breeders’ awards and is already approved? Again, it would give the  breeders’  program a much needed boost.

Lonny Powell: Your first sentence is more of an opinion posed by the writer than question. From what I have seen, that premise for such an opinion is either based on misunderstanding or is flawed. I will try to deal with the business philosophy intent portion of the question.

The discussion is clouded further as the question confuses and comingles two totally separate programs (1. international commerce 2. awards ) as if they are somehow mutually exclusive of each other or, even more incorrectly, the funding of one somehow materially impacts the other which is factually and simply not true. There is no relationship. Additionally, a vast majority of the funding for these US government/State Dept. of Ag facilitated international trade missions are actually provided by the government as they see the importance of opening up agri-business products to the international market place.
Though I am sure that there would likely be a host of others within the other equine breeds, cattle industry, agri-business community ,etc. who would gladly take our place in line and seat at the table for the government funding and international exposure, why would we to take such a regressive step? The Korean’s alone as a result of these efforts spent over $3 million in local horse flesh just last year as a result of these efforts and spent gosh knows how much else on the local economy. I know for these reasons and others, many of our Members, OBS and the local community place a very high and passionate importance on FTBOA working with the government to keep global market promotion programs out there for the Florida bred and/orFlorida owned Thoroughbred. One can only speculate what future emerging markets (such as China) someday may bring to our Members and economy. I respectfully suggest that we will not be competitive in this arena by either building an imaginary wall of isolation around our state or believing that our product is so strong and well known throughout the world that all we have to do is “open our doors and they will come” or expect that “someone else will take care of it (our economic destiny).” In my mind, this is another case of “you can’t hit the ball if you don’t step up and swing at it !”
From what I have seen and heard on this subject so far, I would like to commend past FTBOA leadership on having the foresight to get aggressively involved in such an important economic development program for our Members and community.
From my perspective during these early days in my tenure, it seems the more appropriate question to be asked from a proactive and forward-thinking perspective is “What MORE can the FTBOA, US and State government do to promote international commerce within the Florida Thoroughbred marketplace?.”
As far as awards percentages go, obviously, we all would like to see those paid to as high a level as sustainable-there is no benefit to us to not warmly embrace such a common sense objective. The real challenge is in the details and facts. The bonus paid out last year which was based on forecasts made easier due to much of the year having been run actually took the overall previous percentage to, I believe, around 16.5%. I’d like to think we will keep trying to grind that number upwards over time and continue to revisit ways to enhance it. Much more ongoing discussion and analysis is required. Forecasting is even more difficult now that we pay down to 3 places as that creates a bit too wide of an impact range versus tight window as you try to go back and budget/forecast against. Year-end bonus payments (provided the funding is there) such as was done recently actually represent an option that poses the less risk to over-extending the Trust Account as they are based on actual results vs. forecasts. We must always remain ever-cautious on not over-extending our payouts from the reality of what the actual Trust funding status is as that is much too great of a risk for our association and industry to take or make a “wild guess” at-even with all of the right intentions. In using your example “we better have the additional 5% (and reserve) when we spend the 5%” . I am not aware of any statutory or contingency provision to relieve that weighty challenge from such a process.

Bottom line, we all must be in favor of improving the economic landscape for our membership and industry to the fullest and realistically possible extent. By stepping up our efforts and enhancing our results in areas such as awards, opening up international markets, enhancing communications, remaining ever-vigilant in Tallahassee, promoting increased purses and collaborating with others of like minds and purpose we will progress, innovate and move forward. I am excited to be a part of this new day and journey with you and look forward to working with everyone as we try to make some good things happen. I really believe we can achieve real and sustained progress if we all in the local farm/breeding/owning/sales community emphasize the value of building each other up and sincere cooperation as we all ratchet down the rhetoric while cranking up our own production and contributions with an emphasis on constructive communication and the use and understanding of accurate information.
I have been very impressed by and appreciative of the tenor and quality of the conversations , brain-storming and “thinking out loud” that so many Members and industry stake-holders have brought to and shared with me (eye ball to eye ball) during these early days following my arrival. I remain impressed by the passion, resilience and desire to see things grow and improve that I have heard in so many voices and seen in so many eyes. That type of constructive and open-minded dialogue inspires me even more.

No stranger to games of chance, particularly horse racing, Tony Goswell looked back on his life in the thoroughbred horse business.

“I started playing the horses when I was about seven years old,” he said. “Before I would go to school, I would put these two pet ferrets inside my sweater and then tuck my sweater in my pants.

“There were a lot of rabbit holes in the area. We would put a net over the rabbit holes and put the ferrets under the net. The ferrets would drive the rabbits out of their holes and into the net, and we would catch them and sell them to the butcher to get our gambling money.”

Gail Gee, Hooh Why and Tony Goswell

Then during lunch Goswell would slip off to the bookie and put in his bets. The bookie thought little Goswell was running bets for some adult. Today, Goswell resides in Ocala and does consulting work for his clients.

“Six years ago Richard Bonnycastle, the chief steward of the Canadian Jockey Club, bought a farm here. I hired a manager for the farm and came here to oversee the setup. I got to like it so much I stayed. Florida, without a doubt, is the greatest place to raise a horse.”

In between, Goswell led a life that led him through military service, being a jockey, trainer and consultant and allowed him to meet many notable members of the  thoroughbred community.

“I was being led around on a pony before I could walk,” he explained. “Lester Piggott and my sister went to school together. We used to race our ponies over jumps at his father’s place.”

Piggott, of course, is an internationally famous English jockey, the winner of nine Epsom Derbies and 11 riding championships. He is thought by many to be the greatest flat race rider of all time.

Much later in his life, Goswell would try to help his childhood friend when ever he would come to the states to ride.

“When Lester Piggott would come over to ride in the Washington D. C. International, the first international race of its kind, I would always try to have a horse in on the card, so Lester could get a ride over the track before the big race.”

After riding over the jumps with the future champion jockey, Goswell began his apprenticeship at age 14.

“I was supposed to apprentice with John Gosden, but he already had a stellar rider,” explained Goswell. “As a result, I went to Fred Templeman. I was serving my apprenticeship before I finished school.”

Templeman descended from generations of English horsemen. He won the Epsom Derby as a jockey in 1919 before turning to training in 1921.

“My first year, I got five shillings a week, 30 shillings a week for our keep and 12 pounds a year for clothing,” Goswell recalled. “We would ride out two sets of 60 horses each going to the gallops.”

In addition to riding on the flat, Goswell also rode some steeplechase horses.

By the time he was 18, he decided to go another direction…sort of.

“When I was 18, I decided to go into the army,” he explained. “I got into the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. It was comprised of mostly veteran, career soldiers.”

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery is primarily a ceremonial unit which uses 13-pound guns, pulled by horses, to fire salutes. Because of the ceremonial nature of the troop, it was very important for the soldiers and their gear to be turned out at a veryhigh level.

“We had stable guard because of the hundreds of horses we had,” Goswell said. “You would do two hours on and four hours off. However, the best dressed soldier did not have to do guard. I always earned best dressed.”

Tony Goswell

Goswell had another angle that he could play. Because of his on going connections to the race world, Goswell knew what was going on in that world also.

“My company officer loved to bet on the horses because of that I could tout him on horses that I heard about. I told Capt. Penny about one such horse, and we went to the races to see him win.

“However, when we returned to the unit, I was angry because I didn’t have time to dress for inspection. It would ordinarily take me an hour and a half to dress for inspection. Capt. Penny gave me best dressed anyway.”

Goswell met Barry Hills while he was in the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Ironically, that wouldn’t be the last Goswell would see of Hills. Years later, Goswell was approached by a friend about becoming the general manager and racing manager for Richard Bonnycastle, mentioned earlier in this story.

Bonnycastle’s racing operation was named Harlequin Ranch after the publishing company he owned, the publisher of Harlequin romances.

When Goswell contacted Bonnycastle, he was told, “I will meet you in a couple of weeks because right now I am going to England, to Lambourne, where my trainer Barry Hills is.

“(Hills) loved to gamble,” Goswell explained. “He would go to the punters, give them a horse, and they would place a bet for him to. That was how he met Robert Sangster. Sangster was instrumental in Barry getting his racing license.”

Hills has been a major force in European racing and trained for Sangster, the eventual founder of Coolmore.

Upon his arrival in the U.S., Goswell rode steeplechase horse in and around New York.

“My parents moved over here in 1958,” he said. “My father trained steeplechase horses for my sister-in-law Joan Iverson. Her family owned a large steel company in Pittsburgh.

“I rode for two years. I was second rider for Evan Jackson who trained for Paul Mellon, Whitey Ford and Frank Sinatra.” Over the years, Goswell had suffered a series of spills and smashed up a shoulder. Ultimately, he had five operations on that shoulder. The damage eventually ended his riding career.

“When I was riding steeplechasers in New York, I would get on some tough horses for flat track trainers. One of the first people I met was Johnny Nerud. He asked if there was anything he could do to help. In those days, the big time trainers would help the little guy.”

Nerud eventually went on to help William L. McKnight develop Tartan Farm in Ocala, and he, along with John Gaines, was one of the prime movers behind the Breeders’ Cup.

“Today, trainers are managers,” Goswell offered. “Mac Miller, the Burches, (Henry S.) Clark, John Nerud, the Jenkinses, they had 45 in training. They were there seven days a week.

“I ran a horse in Delaware once. I went back to the barn at 6 p.m. to check on him,” Goswell said. “Frank Whitely was at his barn hosing a horse.”

“If a horse had a problem, they sent it home. The veterinarians run racing today. They give the horses this and that. I’m against medication.”

Goswell pointed out that between April and September a trainer at Woodbine was credited for 30 winners, but when he arrived in September it was the first time he had been at the track.

“When I first started training, you couldn’t be off the grounds for 72 hours. That’s why I say (trainers) are managers today.

“When I started training at Lin-Drake Farm, I got $10 a day for training,” Goswell said. This Lin-Drake was in Virginia, but it was owned by Richard Irwin, who would later own Lin-Drake Farm in Ocala.

“I started running at Charlestown in 1967. I had 80 runners my first year and 30 winners. Charlestown was the beginning track for such trainers as Dickie Dutrow, Frank Whitely and jockey Bill Hartack.

“Everyone said Bill Hartack was tough, but he really cared about the horses. Bill rode a horse for me. It had a problem. He said he would ride him on the condition that I would stop on him and take care of him. The horse was claimed by another trainer. That trainer ran him three weeks later. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it. Bill was really upset by it. That’s how he felt about his horses.”

A big part of Goswell’s career was spent buying horses for clients. He also inspected horses for select sales in Canada. He had experience in England looking at horses with the likes of Tom Cooper of the BBA Ireland, Richard Galpin of BBA Newmarket and George Blackwell of BBA England.

“Galpin was another great horseman,” he said. “Cooper was instrumental in the start of Coolmore. Blackwell created Northern Dancer by purchasing Nearctic and Natalma for Windfields Farm.”

He had an interesting experience purchasing horses at the Hialeah Sale of two-year-olds in training.

“A gentleman from England stood beside me. He asked what I was doing. I told him I was buying horses. He asked if I would buy some for him.

“This man was Noel Suitor. He had just escaped from Iran when the Ayatollah Khomeini over threw the Shah of Iran. He owned four casinos where the royal family gambled. He lived on the Isle of Man.”

Goswell bought a daughter and son of Mr. Prospector for him for about $40,000 each. By the time, they were done buying horses Goswell had purchased 33 horses for him.

Part of Suitor’s plan was to take the horses to the Isle of Man to train them. He also wanted to buy a stallion.

“We got in touch with Butch Savin (owner of Aisco Farm in Ocala), Goswell said. “He showed us two horses—Mr. Prospector and Native Admiral. Noel purchased Native Admiral.”

“Can you imagine if Mr. Prospector had wound up on the Isle of Man?

“Senor (Horatio) Luro suggested castrating Northern Dancer, thinking it would make him grow.

“Can you imagine what would have happened to the industry with Northern Dancer a gelding and Mr. Prospector going to the Isle of Man?”

Goswell has enjoyed a trackside seat for a good sized portion of contemporary racing history. He has met many of the leading characters. Among the ones not mentioned earlier are Eddie Delahoussaye and Dick Francis. Delahoussaye is a Hall of Fame jockey, and Dick Francis is a world famous writer of mysteries, many with a horsey angle.

“Eddie calls me almost every week….I rode a little bit with Dick Francis.

“I’ve been very fortunate to meet the who’s who of the business.”

Enjoy your gift certificate from our sponsor Roma Italian Restaurant.

Where Am I? Can you guess where this photograph was taken? Email us for your chance to win!

If you think you can guess this months “Where Am I?” 

BY BILL STEELE
Roughly a year and two actual miles (Holiday Inn,Ocala) from a meeting that knocked the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association off of its axis, the organization gathered at the Hilton

Ocala to introduce new director, Lonny Powell and to update members on what was being done to correct past sins and to take a step toward resurrecting members’ confidence in the Board of Directors and the organization itself.

Ironically the man chosen to lead the organization out of the drought is also the son of  jockey, Taylor Powell.  So tight squeezes and urging tactics should be nothing new.  One member of the audience said that Lonny Powell could be an evangelical minister (after hearing him speak) if horse racing did not work out.  Some members were still skeptical, but hope was in the voices of even the skeptics.

“Step back non-believers or the rain will never come

somebody start a fire burning, somebody beat a drum

He said some might think I’m crazy for making all these claims

But I swear before this day is over, you folks gonna see some rain”    (Lucy and The Rain Man)

The Association has been mugged by its own employees, directors, and officials; good reasons for being skeptical.

What transpired was an orderly and smooth meeting in which some of the members looked a bit less weary than when they walked in.  President Phil Matthews and new CEO Powell worked well together in dialogue which hopefully will translate to putting trust and efficiency back into the FTBOA.

The first order of business must be to correct the flawed election process.  The “proxy” ballot and the uneven playing field created by some candidates having to get fifty signatures while others are automatically on the ballot due to a back room meeting anointing them will no longer be accepted by the general membership.  This needs to be done quickly not just before the next election.  Most of the other problems will dissipate once integrity is restored to the election process.  Some board members feel that “some of the wrong people” will be elected.  People with “not enough leadership” might be elected.  My question is simple.  Could they have done worse than what we have been doing for the last five years?

The membership has been asked to be patient and yes, they should, but the board members also need to trust in the members as fully vested partners in the organization.

For the first time in a long time, everyone is rowing in the same direction and it is time to keep the momentum going.  Being a board member is not an easy job and it is a volunteer position.  On the other hand, it is a position of representation and that means representing the membership that elected you, not just the guy sitting next to you or across the table.  Members wantFloridato be a viable venue for thoroughbred breeding and racing.  They want, as do the board members, to seeFloridaracing restored to its former position.  This cannot be done without cooperation, trust and being able to look one another in the eye with honor and respect.

...well a man’s gotta have a dream

And if you can’t walk on the inside with me, I’ll meet you in between

Oh come with me …. and the stars will write your name

And if you think I’m lying to you, look a yonder here comes the rain!”    (Lucy and The Rain Man)

We all must realize that we do not control everything that has an influence on us, but we must manage the things that are in our control.

Newly elected FTBOA President Phil Matthews agreed to be  ” On The Anvil “  and the following are his answers to the seven questions asked.

1.   Hold Your Horses:  How is the elimination of proxy ballots and the revamping process for electing FTBOA board members progressing?

Phil Matthews:  I have had several questions concerning the proxy format and do think that the process is certainly worth reviewing.  There was a preliminary discussion at the board meeting in November and will be a topic for the board in the near future.

2.  HYH:  Will the “recommended candidates slate” still be a part of the election process and if so why?

PM:  I think there should always be recommendations from the board on the selection of future board members.  As a board member a person knows who has made valuable contribution to the process in the past and who may do so in the future.  I also think it is incumbent upon the board to be looking to the membership for “new blood” and new ideas from people that are sincerely interested in the good of the association.

3. HYH:  You have “transparency” high on your agenda.  Does that mean that monthly board meetings will be posted well in advance so that members can attend?

PM:  I think transparency is always important in any member owned association.  Do I think that translates to having open attendance at a board meeting?  Absolutely not.  If that were the case, there should be no board.  A board of directors is charged with making thoughtful decisions for the good of the organization based on each individual’s knowledge, experience and research as well as open and honest dialogue during the board meeting.  I believe that open and honest dialogue is thwarted by “an audience”.

4.  HYH:  Under provisions already in place the breeders’ awards program could be administered at 20% rather than 15% and would allow a 15% – 3% – 2% split for the first three spots rather than the 10% - 3% – 2% that is now in play or some other configuration. Why has that not been considered?

PM:  I think that a 15, 3, 2% split is worth considering as is paying awards for stakes races (and possibly other races) out of state.  The problem with expanding the dollars awarded in whatever fashion you deem to do it, is that you need money to do so.  If there isn’t enough money, expansion of any kind isn’t possible.

Our association has taken a big hit from ADW (advanced deposit wagering).  We are not getting our fair share of the money that is being bet using this format and ADW is growing every year as a percentage of handle which means that every year our association is receiving less in to the trust fund.  This has been balanced somewhat by slots and card rooms but has prevented us from gaining any ground.  We are battling hard to get this situation rectified.

5.  HYH:   Who decided there should be a 10% “bonus”  for breeders’ 2010 awards that was distributed last month and was there a board vote?  Would it not have been something that the entire membership should have had in-put on?  It seemed a bit self-serving for past presidents and other board members who walked off with substantial amounts that could have been structured in a 20% awards program.

PM:  The decision to pay the additional bonus on the 2010 awards was made by the board.  There was “extra” money in the trust fund, above the reserve, and it was felt that everyone in the association would want to increase the bonus given if the money was there.  (Look at your question #4).  It is interesting this question is framed “self-serving”.  I guess my response to that is “we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t.”  I can truly only speak for myself about how I voted on that decision, but I think the feeling was unanimous in the room that day and that is, “great if the money is there from 2010 then the awards won in 2010 should be increased.”  It wouldn’t be fair of me to parse out who won the most races, that wasn’t the point.

6.  HYH:  How is the “fraud” case advancing regarding the former employee who allegedly stole about $100K?

PM:  The fraud case is in the hands of the state attorney’s office.  The FTBOA office worked hard to provide all the detail that was asked for.

7.  HYH:  Why does it take so long to publish financials for the organization?

PM:  I’m not certain how long it took in years past to have the financials published so I won’t speak to that.  I know it took longer than I intended it to this year for two reasons.  First, I was personally responsible for slowing the process down this year.  That wasn’t my intent but I held an extra meeting with the auditors this year so that I could better understand the audit process and how it is conducted each year.  Secondly, the short staffing at the FTBOA office resulted in it not being done in a timely manner after that meeting.  Hopefully a delay in posting was not an inconvenience to the membership this year.