The National Thoroughbred Racing Association on March 10 held its fourth-quarter board meeting for fiscal year 2022 and its first meeting under the leadership of NTRA’s new president and chief executive officer, Tom Tom. Rooney.
During the meeting, Shannon Bishop Arvin — who became president and chief executive officer of Keeneland in 2021 — elected president of the NTRA. Arvin becomes the first female president in the 23-year history of the NTRA. She was also Keeneland’s first female chairperson after serving as a corporate advisor, secretary and advisory member of Keeneland’s board of directors.
The Board of Directors approved the organization’s fiscal year 2023 budget, which begins April 1, 2022 and ends March 31, 2023.
Rooney, a former US congressman from Florida, informed the board that Tampa Bay Downs and Oaklawn Park has agreed to become a member of the NTRA. Oaklawn has previously dismissed concerns about its voice in the industry and the influence of some NTRA programs.
He also said the NTRA has identified an office site in Washington, DC, on Capitol Hill that he hopes will be fully operational by the summer of 2022.
The Board also receives updates on NTRA’s various programs and initiatives, including the Advantage sales program, Legislative Action Camp, National Horseplayers Championships and Tournaments, Eclipse Award and NTRA Integrity and Safety Coalition.
NTRA’s next board meeting will be held in June 2022.
