Candidates for 2018 Director Election

Transcription

1 Candidates for 2018 Director Election

2 BARBARA R. BANKE Chairman & Proprietor, Jackson Family Wines One of the industry s top executives and innovators, Jackson Family Wines Chairman & Proprietor Barbara R. Banke has spent the last two decades leading the company she co-founded with her late husband, wine icon Jess Jackson. In addition to their flagship Kendall-Jackson winery, Banke and Jackson shaped nearly two dozen premium wineries across Sonoma, Napa, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Mendocino counties. Today, the Jackson Family portfolio is a global collection of world-class vineyards and wineries, including acclaimed properties in Oregon s Willamette Valley, France, Italy, Chile, Australia, and South Africa. Banke takes a hands-on role developing and promoting Jackson Family wine estates, as well as in new vineyard acquisitions and a broad range of other strategic initiatives. A well-known philanthropist, Banke is a passionate advocate for children s and educational charities around the country. Most recently she was the Chair of the Sonoma County Wine Auction raising a record breaking $5.2 million for the local community. She and Jackson committed nearly $4 million to the Jess S. Jackson Sustainable Winery Building at UC Davis, designed to train the next generation of winemakers in sustainability practices. In addition, Banke and her family contributed $500,000 to help launch the Family Justice Center Sonoma County, assisting victims of domestic violence. She is also a global ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. When she is not sourcing new vineyard sites, Banke is active in Stonestreet Farm, the family s Lexington, Kentucky-based equestrian racing stables. Stonestreet Farms has produced Horses of the Year Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, as well as Eclipse Award winner Good Magic and Cartier Award winner My Miss Aurelia. Banke is a graduate of UCLA and Hastings Law School. A former land use and constitutional law attorney, she spent more than a decade arguing cases before the United States Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal. She raised three children with Jess (Katherine, Julia and Christopher Jackson), who are each involved in Jackson Family Wines. Personal Statement: I would be honored to receive your vote to continue to serve as a member of The Breeders Cup. The Breeders Cup represents the very best of American racing and is uniquely positioned within the Thoroughbred world to make our industry even stronger. I will work to ensure that the Breeders Cup continues to grow and thrive in the increasingly competitive global sports marketplace. In addition to overseeing Stonestreet s racing and breeding programs, my activities as the head of a multinational winemaking operation require a commitment to innovation and an outlook that is both national and international in scope. Having broadened my thoroughbred activities to include racing in Australia and the UK, I am well positioned to use my international experiences to benefit the Breeders Cup. I know that American racing needs to increase its market share by supporting owners and breeders, implementing wellconsidered medication reforms, focusing on promotion and finding ways to strengthen both the product and the experience. I believe we have endless potential and the opportunity to develop it together. Thank you for your consideration.

3 Alan Cooper, Racing Manager to the Niarchos Family, Flaxman Holdings Ltd and Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd. Alan was born into the thoroughbred industry and has been actively involved in it for well over 30 years. Alan is the Racing Manager to the Niarchos Family, perhaps better known in the United States as Flaxman Holdings Ltd and previously worked at Goffs, Ireland s leading bloodstock sales company having earlier gained industry experience on farms in France and Argentina before an internship at Fasig-Tipton. Alan has had a strong affinity with the Breeders Cup since the mid-eighties and has been associated with six winners of the Mile; Miesque (x2), Spinning World, Domedriver, Six Perfections and Karakontie, as well as Main Sequence who scored in the Turf in Personal Statement: The opportunity to be elected to the Board is one I positively accept. From inception, the Breeders Cup pioneered the idea to draw the best runners from all corners of the globe to crown true Champions with the prospect to improve the centuries-old thoroughbred breed. The Cup s history is interwoven with International Champions. With increased racing opportunities around the world I would like to work with the Breeders Cup to reaffirm its status and to build on its International profile. Owners and breeders worldwide make considerable contributions to the funding of the programme. From the birth of a foal to the finish line, the Breeders Cup is helping stakeholders towards the World Championships and rewarding their contribution which is so necessary to increase the attraction of our magnificent industry. If elected, my aim is to preserve and enhance these long held aims.

4 William S. Farish, Jr. Lane s End Farm/Founder, Woodford Racing William S. Farish, Jr. is a Thoroughbred owner and breeder with over 25 years experience in the industry. He has bred Grade I winners SHADOW CAST and BURNING ROMA in his name and has campaigned many stakes winners under the name of Woodford Racing, a partnership he founded in The Farish family owns Lane s End Farm, located in Central Kentucky. Lane s End is one of the foremost full-service breeding establishments in the industry. Bill is involved in all aspects of the operations at Lane s End, one of the world s premier Thoroughbred farms. Lane s End stands at stud champion stallions such as Candy Ride, Lemon Drop Kid, Quality Road, Union Rags and Mineshaft. Lane s End s extraordinary sales record has seen them sell more than 365 stakes winners, including champions such as A.P. Indy, Saint Liam, Rags to Riches and Lemon Drop Kid. Bill served two terms as Chairman of the Board of the Breeders Cup, from and then again from During his first chairmanship, Farish oversaw dramatic changes in the Breeders Cup, foremost among them was the growth of the Breeders Cup from a single day $14 million prize money event to a two-day Championship comprised of 13 races with purses and awards totaling $26 million. It was also during this period that the Breeders Cup Challenge series of automatic qualifying races was created; and organization passed several security and safety measures, and the banning of steroids from Breeders Cup competition. During his second term the Breeders Cup expanded its roster of host tracks and host communities to include new and highly successful host sites, Keeneland and Del Mar. He is currently Chairman of Horse PAC and is member of the Board of Trustees of Keeneland Association, Grayson- Jockey Club Research Foundation and the University of Kentucky s Gluck Equine Research Foundation. He is a member and Steward of The Jockey Club. Farish and his family reside in Lexington, Kentucky. Personal Statement: I have been passionate about the Breeders Cup ever since my father had a runner in the very first Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies race in It has been an honor to serve two stints as its Board Chair and would be a continued honor to be re-elected to the Board. The Breeders Cup is in a very strong position at this point and time and is budgeting annual surpluses with no long term debt for the first time in its 35-year history. We are offering ever increasing record purses while paying travel awards and Win and You re In entry fees to many starters, all relatively new additions. There are many things that need improving in our great sport and a strong Breeders Cup is ready to help in any way it can. I hope to help continue to guide those efforts on behalf of our nominators.

5 S. WALKER HANCOCK JR. Claiborne Farm Paris, KY Walker is the fourth generation of Hancock s to run his family s Claiborne Farm which was established in Claiborne has been a part of his entire life as he learned to work and handle horses at the early age of eight. After attending Sayre School in Lexington, Walker went on to attend the University of Florida where he majored in Animal Sciences with a minor in Agricultural Sales and Marketing. While at Florida, he was a student manager for the 2008 National Champion Gators football team. During summer vacations from school, Walker worked with the yearlings at Claiborne and was also an intern at Keeneland on their sales inspection team in the summer of Upon graduation in May of 2012, Walker went to work for trainer Al Stall. For the 2013 breeding season, Walker was the resident vet technician at Claiborne. Once the breeding season ended, he spent time shadowing his father Seth until he took over control of the farm in early Among the other positions he holds outside of Claiborne, he is Vice President of the Paris-Bourbon County YMCA board, Director for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, a member of the American Graded Stakes Committee, and a member of The Jockey Club. Personal Statement: In 2010, I came home from school the first weekend of November to attend the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs. By the time Sunday evening rolled around and it was time to go back to Gainesville, it had been one of the most exciting weekends of my life. Witnessing our homebred Blame win the Breeders Cup classic and experiencing the thrill with friends and family was a moment I will never forget. From that instant I knew the Breeders Cup was special and something I wanted to be a part of going forward. Being a young member on the board, I feel that I can contribute a Millennial s mindset to help innovate and move the Breeders Cup forward in this digital era. I understand what appeals to my generation and can connect with my peers on a level that others cannot. What I may lack in experience compared to my fellow candidates, I make up for in passion and drive. I m a young guy and have a vested interest in our industry. A main focus of mine is on strengthening our industry ensuring that we are thriving and still relevant 50 years from now so my children can one day enjoy that same feeling I got back on a November night in I would be honored and very appreciative of your support. Thank you for your consideration.

6 Gavin Murphy SF Bloodstock LLC New York, NY Gavin Murphy has been involved in the equine industry all his life as an equestrian growing up in Australia; as a breeder in the US and Australia since 1994; and for the last 10 years running SF Bloodstock, an international breeding and racing operation. Originally from a town of 1,000 people in rural Queensland, Australia, Gavin moved to Sydney in 1990 to continue his legal career and then to New York in 1992 with his wife, Catherine Donovan. Gavin joined Soros Fund Management in Gavin launched SF Bloodstock in 2008 to invest in broodmares and stallions around the world. Since then, SFB has grown into an internationally recognized bloodstock investor, developing significant relationships with WinStar Farm in the US, Ballylinch in Ireland and establishing Newgate Farm in Australia. In addition to SFB s successful breeding operation, SFB owns shares in many established and upcoming stallions and has had considerable success on the racetrack, including being a part owner of 2010 Kentucky Derby winner, Super Saver, in 2016: Preakness Stakes winner, Exaggerator, Belmont Stakes winner, Creator, European Champion, Almanzor, Australian 2YO Golden Slipper winner, Capitalist; and in 2018 Australian Multiple Group 1 winner, Russian Revolution, winner of the Oakleigh Plate and Galaxy and Triple Crown winner Justify. SFB prides itself on operating with the highest level of integrity and professionalism and is proud of its success to date. Personal Statement: The Breeders' Cup is a chance to showcase the best of American racing and to set the highest possible standards for the conduct of racing in the US. I believe there is great opportunity to continue to improve the racing experience in the US for all participants. I am honored to have been elected to the board this year and feel I can bring a broad and balanced perspective to the Breeders Cup mission and contribute in a positive way to the ongoing growth and success of this great event.

7 Dan Pride Chief Operating Officer, Godolphin America Dan Pride worked weekends and summer vacations in various roles in the industry before making the decision to leave his career in secondary education in South Carolina to pursue his dream of working in the thoroughbred industry. Pride moved to Lexington in 1999 with his wife Beth and initially worked as a groom for Airdrie before joining Vinery as their Auction Sales Manager. From Vinery he moved to Taylor Made, where he served two years as Mark Taylor s assistant before being hired as Nomination Sales Manager for Sheikh Mohammed s newly formed stallion division, Darley at Jonabell Farm. In 2006 he was appointed as COO of Darley America, overseeing a bloodstock band of over 400 head and over 200 employees. After two years in that role, he was appointed COO of Fasig-Tipton before resuming his role as COO for the newly merged Godolphin in As a member of the Breeders Cup Board of Directors, Dan believes that the Breeders Cup serves as a great platform to be innovative and to find new ways for existing and future owners and fans to participate in our sport. Personal Statement: The Breeders Cup enters a critical stage of its life cycle. The question now is what do we aspire to be? I believe the Breeders Cup has the opportunity to leverage our financial strength and brand reputation to lead the U.S. thoroughbred industry more than just two days a year. It will take intestinal fortitude and a greater appetite for risk to get there. Management has done an exceptional job to put us in this strong position and now needs clear direction on what the expectations are for the future. We should hold ourselves to the standard of an entrepreneurial growth company that competes in the sports entertainment technology space. We now are faced with new competition on various fronts with the advent of expanded sports wagering, combined with ever-shifting viewing platforms for content. Our sport is made for these new opportunities. The question is how are we positioned as an organization to win in this environment and contribute to the advancement of an industry that invests in us year after year? We have approximately $55 million of nominators money in reserves that should be put to work for our property to lead and grow the industry. We have taken initial steps towards this goal, but there is more to be done. The Championship weekend should still be the foundation for our future, combined with an increased sense of urgency to lead our industry with a forward-looking mindset.

8 ALEX SOLIS II Solis/Litt Bloodstock Los Angeles, CA Alex Solis II is a bloodstock agent and partner in Solis/Litt Bloodstock. He is a third generation horsemen following in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame father, jockey Alex Solis and grandfather, Bert Sonnier, a leading trainer which included the likes of champion Nodouble and Meadowlake. Alex grew up at the racetrack and has worked with some of the finest horsemen in the industry. Richard Mandella, Bruce Headley and Mel Stute in California and John Hall at Taylor Made Farm are a few who've made a lasting impact on his development. Alex graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 2007 with a BA in Finance and a minor in Equine Science and Pre- Vet. While in school Alex also began his career in the bloodstock business purchasing multiple grade one winner Daytona and the future book favorite for the Kentucky Derby, The Pamplemousse. In 2010, Alex combined with KY agent Jason Litt to form Solis/Litt Bloodstock. Solis/Litt Bloodstock provides full service management with access to world class trainers. The business has expanded Internationally in recent years, and now includes the trading of Stallion Shares and management of Breeding/Racing portfolios. The Thoroughbred Times, a leading industry weekly magazine, named Alex one of "The Forty under Forty in the Thoroughbred Industry." He has been the subject of features on TVG, HRTV, LA Times, and Blood-Horse. Since 2004, Alex has been involved in 160 horse transactions with achievements that include eight Grade- One winners, 28 Stakes Winners and 50 Stakes Placed horses; including two time Breeders' Cup winner Mizdirection and Champion Shared Belief. Alex currently resides in Southern California with his wife Brittany and their son. He enjoys golfing, travel, and is an all-around sports enthusiast. Personal Statement: I currently participate in all aspects of the horse industry including racing, breeding and sales. I am known for my collaboration, effective communication and integrity. Having participated as an owner and overall fan of the Breeders Cup, I bring a well-rounded perspective and an understanding of the next generation of racing, owners and fans. My goal is to support the Breeders Cup in its long standing traditions, to help increase visibility and attract greater participation for this elite horse racing event.

9 Elliott Walden President/CEO & Racing Manager WinStar Farm Versailles, KY Elliott is a third generation horseman from a noted Kentucky family entrenched in thoroughbred breeding and racing. He is the son of the late Ben Walden, Sr. formerly of Dearborn Farm. His brother Ben Walden, Jr is also a noted horseman in Kentucky who has established several successful breeding operations most notably Vinery. Walden rose to the pinnacle of the sport in 1998 when he trained Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Victory Gallop who returned at 4 to win both the Whitney Handicap (G1) and the Stephen Foster Handicap (G2) and was named Eclipse Champion Older Horse in Elliott finished 1999 ranked #3 in the nation with his career best season earnings of $7.2 million. Elliott was a three-time leading trainer at Churchill Downs during the prestigious spring meet, as well as two-time leading trainer at Keeneland. In July 2005, Elliott changed roles within the WinStar organization, going from private trainer to Racing Manager. In December of 2005, Walden was elevated to the role of Vice President of Win Star Farm where he was responsible for management oversight, both on and off the farm. In November of 2010, Elliott was promoted to President and CEO of WinStar Farm. Notwithstanding his expanded role at the farm, he remains deeply involved in the management of racing operations and WinStar Farm has been blessed to race 2018 Triple Crown Winner, Justify. Personal Statement: I have been on the Board of Breeders Cup for six years and have watched Breeders Cup grow into a premier International Sporting Event with additions of network coverage, top class food and entertainment, purse increases and a focus on horsemen hospitality. I have been chairman of the Breeders Cup Finance and Audit Committee for four years and we have been able to make these improvements while maintaining a positive cash flow. I firmly believe Breeders Cup is the pinnacle of thoroughbred racing and I would like the opportunity to continue and build upon this upward trajectory.