Keeneland's Arvin Elected NTRA Chair

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association March 10 hosted its fourth-quarter board meeting for its fiscal year 2022 and the first under the leadership of the NTRA's new president and CEO, Tom Rooney. 

During the meeting, Shannon Bishop Arvin—who became president and CEO of Keeneland in 2021—was elected chair of the NTRA. Arvin becomes the first female chair in the 23-year history of the NTRA. She is also the first female president of Keeneland after serving as its corporate counsel and as secretary and an advisory member of Keeneland's board of directors. 

The board approved the organization's fiscal year 2023 budget, which begins April 1, 2022, and concludes March 31, 2023. 

Rooney, a former U.S. Congressman from Florida, informed the board that Tampa Bay Downs and Oaklawn Park have agreed to become members of the NTRA. Oaklawn previously dropped out over concerns about its voice in the industry and the influence of some NTRA programs.

He also said the NTRA has identified an office location in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill that he hopes will be fully operational by summer 2022.

The board also received updates on various NTRA programs and initiatives, including the Advantage sales program, the Legislative Action Campion, the National Horseplayers Championship and Tour, the Eclipse Awards, and the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. 

NTRA's next board meeting will be held in June 2022.