Talking Feb. 10 throughout a horse business legislative outlook session within the Keeneland gross sales pavilion, a gaggle of Kentucky legislators mentioned the numerous financial influence of the horse racing business and emphasised the significance of legislative assist.
Roughly 100 individuals, together with these affiliated with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Membership, Kentucky Equine Schooling Mission, and Kentucky Thoroughbred Affiliation, attended to listen to remarks from Kentucky State Sens. Julie Raque Adams, Amanda Mays Bledsoe, Matt Nunn, Reginald Thomas, and Kentucky State Rep. Matt Koch—a few of whom have ties to the Kentucky equine business. Prepare dinner is a longtime member of the KTFMC, and Thomas is a racehorse proprietor.
KEEP board member Jonathan Dixon moderated the panel.
The legislators famous the significance of advocacy and engagement, noting that the business generated $75 million for the overall fund within the earlier fiscal yr. The panelists shared insights into the business’s financial advantages, together with its function as a serious driver of the state’s financial system and a cultural asset in Kentucky.
Apart from emphasizing the significance of legislative assist to guard the business from potential threats, in addition they mentioned the necessity for continued engagement with legislators, particularly throughout major elections, to make sure business assist. Join BloodHorse Day by day
The panel additionally coated the financial influence of Keeneland internet hosting rotating occasions such because the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, because the monitor will do once more for the fourth time this fall.
“Breeders’ Cup in 2022 was about an $81 million financial influence in simply these few days,” Bledsoe mentioned of when Keeneland final hosted the two-day occasion. “If you take a look at Keeneland, you discover spring and fall races are a couple of $300 million annual financial funding. That is fairly vital as a pure tourism financial improvement driver of Fayette County.”
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The panel inspired the viewers to make use of their voice and vote for politicians who assist the Thoroughbred business.
“Get entangled within the major for somebody who helps the problem. They assist most of what you are for,” Bledsoe mentioned. “Inform another person who’s concerned within the horse racing business. They hear. They care. That issues.”
“I feel it is vital to construct networks and meet individuals,” Thomas added. “We as legislators get out and meet you, and speak to you, and also you get to see who finest helps your visions.”
KEEP DAY At The Kentucky Capitol
The legislators additionally expressed the significance of KEEP Day on the Capitol, going down this yr Feb. 12, and designed to carry the horse business’s voice to Frankfort. This occasion unites horse business leaders, individuals, and supporters to highlight the highly effective financial, cultural, and neighborhood influence the horse business has throughout Kentucky.
Adams inspired the gang to attend, saying, “It truly is vital, and it’s a essential day for people which can be within the business to attach with legislators.”Â
