Fernung Elected New FTBOA President

Valerie Dailey, Brent Fernung, and Phil Matthews have been named to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association board of directors while George Isaacs and Milan Kosanovich return to the board, it was confirmed at the FTBOA annual meeting Oct. 20. Each will serve three-year terms that will run through 2019.

Leaving the board because of term limits outlined in the FTBOA by-laws were Charlotte Weber and Roy Lerman while Jessica Steinbrenner is also completing her term.

Fernung also was elected new president of the association at the board meeting that followed. He said he was grateful to return to the board and welcomed the other two new members.

"I am very happy to return to the board and very honored to be elected president. We are also proud to welcome to the board Ms. Dailey and welcome back Dr. Matthews. I'd also like to congratulate Mr. Isaacs and Mr. Kosanovich on their re-elections.

 "While the FTBOA has had many significant accomplishments in recent years, such as increasing breeder and stallion awards to all-time high levels, and has seen record handle on the Florida Sire Stakes, we will be looking for the leadership skills, forethought and other assets from all board members in order to meet the challenges that face our Florida Thoroughbred industry, in particular decoupling."

The board also named the executive committee for 2016 with Fernung as president while Matthews was named first vice president and George Russell was named second vice president. Joseph M. O'Farrell III will serve as treasurer and Greg Wheeler as secretary. Fred Brei also will serve on the executive committee as immediate past president.

Fernung and his wife, Crystal, own and operate Journeyman Stud, which was home to the late Wildcat Heir, Florida's leading sire. Journeyman Stud now stands Exclusive Quality, Fury Kapcori, Khozan and Winslow Homer.