Auerbach Retires From California Horse Racing Board

Madeline Auerbach retired Nov. 11 from the California Horse Racing Board after serving nearly six years as a racing commissioner, the last three as vice chair, the commissioner announced in a news release Nov. 13.

Her retirement comes in the midst of a shift in the composition of the CHRB under the direction of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Assistant executive director Jacqueline Wagner retired Nov. 7, and executive director Rick Baedeker plans to retire, pending a replacement being named and a brief overlap period with the new executive director, CHRB spokesman Mike Marten said.

Auerbach, first appointed to the board Jan. 2, 2014, by former Gov. Jerry Brown, had a reappointed term that would have lasted through Jan. 1, 2022. She served on the CHRB Medication, Safety, and Welfare Committee since 2014. A prominent owner and breeder in the state, she founded the California Retirement Management Account in 2007 to raise money for retired racehorses and plans to continue her role with that organization.

This has been a tumultuous year for the CHRB and the entire racing industry in California, following a spike in fatalities at Santa Anita Park. The CHRB also faced criticism from some circles for its handling of a positive drug test for scopolamine by Triple Crown winner Justify  after he won the 2018 Santa Anita Derby (G1). No action was taken to disqualify Justify based on the board's view that the positive test, along with other horses from that approximate time period, suggested contamination. The positive test was not made public until a New York Times report in September.

There have already been changes to the CHRB under Newsom, who appointed veterinarian Dr. Greg Ferraro, Oscar Gonzales, and Wendy Mitchell over the past year.

Newsom has been critical of the horse racing industry, expressing the need for reform and to avoid conflicts among CHRB members.

"During the decades I have been involved in the horse racing industry, my work has centered on doing what is best for these amazing animals," Auerbach said in a release. "I want to thank Gov. Jerry Brown for appointing me to the board and allowing me to do so."

Baedeker issued a statement on Auerbach's retirement, expressing "our gratitude and appreciation."

The next meeting of the CHRB is Nov. 21 in Del Mar, Calif., at which time the election of the chairman and vice chairman is expected.