KTA and KTOB Announces Officers and Directors for 2021

Brookdale Farm's Joe Seitz has been elected president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, the organizations announced May 7 along with their officers and board of directors for 2021.

KTA/KTOB officers serve two-year terms and are voted on by members of the KTA/KTOB board of directors. Members of the KTA/KTOB board of directors serve three-year terms and are elected by the full membership of the organization.

Seitz said the priorities for the coming year involve building on the successes it has already achieved throughout Kentucky. This includes strengthening the political relationships that led state legislators to update the legal definition of pari-mutuel wagering to include historical horse racing games and protect what has become a significant source of purse money for Kentucky racetracks.

"We need to build on what was started by (former president) Braxton Lynch and (executive director) Chauncey Morris. We owe a big thanks to the legislators that supported HHR and recognize its importance to our industry. We need to continue working hand-in-hand with them; this needs to be a constant," Seitz said. "We also need to continue building on the success we've seen with Kentucky racing. We want this to be the place where people buy horses and then race them. It is a positive cycle. When purses go up, then the value of the horse bred, raised, and sold here go up."

Seitz added that both organizations play a key role in supporting health initiatives for the betterment of the breed, too. They were active in supporting research and disseminating information related to an issue this year with foal diarrhea, which was found to be caused by a new equine Rotavirus, and to an outbreak of nocardioform placentitis last year.

"All these issues are intertwined," Seitz said. "We need to stay out in front and take care of our members and our industry."

Elected KTA/KTOB Officers for 2021 are:

President, KTA/KTOB: Joseph Seitz, director of sales for Brookdale Farm

Vice President, KTA: Walker Hancock, president of Claiborne Farm

Vice President, KTOB: Natanya Nieman, D.V.M., resident veterinarian for WinStar Farm

Secretary, KTA/KTOB: Christopher L. Baker, chief operating officer for Three Chimneys Farm

Treasurer, KTA/KTOB: Dermot Ryan, manager of Ashford Stud

Newly elected KTA/KTOB Board of Directors for 2021:

Bill Daugherty, Owner of BlackRidge Stables

Kim Smith, founder/executive director of Second Stride

Christopher Baker, James Baker, Patrick Costello, Walker Hancock, and Dermot Ryan were re-elected to the board of directors.