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“It’s huge for our area...It’s going to bring a lot of people to this community and a lot of additional revenue dollars and
tax dollars to our area.” – Andrew Steele, head of the Boyd County Convention and Tourism Bureau
Pictured, from left, are Executive Director of the Kentucky Quarter Horse Racing Association and former Kentucky Rep. Adam Koenig, Revolutionary Racing Kentucky President John Marshall and Conor Lucas, vice-president of government relations and development with Revolutionary Racing Kentucky.
one of those opportunities to lead a movement and positively impact the lives of so many people. That’s what motivates me most to make this successful.”
Conor Lucas, who has worked closely with Kentucky legislators and regulators, as well
as Boyd County officials and the KQHRA,
is vice president, government relations and development; Ashland native Shelby Morrison is the executive assistant and will oversee the day- to-day administrative operations; Terry Oliver
is racing and equestrian manager; and Mike Anifantis is the racing secretary.
“Terry and Mike are accomplished figures in both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing,” Marshall said. “We’ve worked together in the past and I know firsthand that they bring genuine passion, drive, and records of success that will help us to thrive.”
Industry leaders and stakeholders expect the addition of Sandy Ridge to breathe new life into the Quarter Horse racing industry in Kentucky. The addition of a Quarter Horse track promises to entice a new level of excitement and interest in the sport, as well as provide opportunities for new owners, trainers, and jockeys to enter the industry and showcase their talents, all while generating much-needed revenues for the state and for the equine industry.
“Anytime you can open a new segment of horse racing in a jurisdiction it’s a big deal to a lot of people,” Marshall said, “and not just horsemen, but the entire horse industry from an agri-business perspective and for the morale of a community. This is a big deal in Ashland. For the state itself,
it enables the HHR engine to continue to grow and generate state revenues and horse industry revenues. It’s a total win for Team Kentucky.”
RESOURCES
Applications for Quarter Horse owners to participate in this year’s races can be found at www.revolutionaryracingkentucky.com.
The 2023 Condition Book for Sandy Ridge at Red Mile is also available.
EXPERIENCE LEADS THE WAY
The management team for Sandy Ridge
will be led by a team of seasoned horse racing professionals who have dedicated their lives to the sport. Their combined experience and knowledge help ensure that the new track will provide a high- quality experience for horses and spectators, alike.
“We promised to build a world-class facility, led by a world-class team,” Lucas said. “With these [management] appointments, we are certainly well on our way to delivering on that promise. This is an impressive leadership team for what will be an equally impressive development.”
John Marshall, a longtime racing and gaming executive, is President of Revolutionary Racing Kentucky and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the development. He previously served as General Manager of Colonial Downs and helped introduce alternative gaming to
several new markets at other racetracks, including Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Calder Casino and Racetrack, and Miami Valley Gaming.
“Coming off the experience at Colonial Downs, it was extremely gratifying personally
to revitalize horse racing at Colonial Downs,” Marshall shared. “Colonial Downs was closed; it was history on a six-year hiatus. After 4 1/2-years, we made Colonial Downs the premier boutique meet in the mid-Atlantic with great purses and
a great profile for the industry with the HHR engine behind it. This is an opportunity for a repeat performance to revitalize the Quarter Horse industry in Kentucky and develop an HHR brand that will benefit a lot of people.
“It’s fulfilling to have the opportunity to lead something like this,” Marshall continued. “Early in my career, like everyone else, you look for a job to earn income, but this is beyond that. This is
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse
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“Anytime you can open a new segment of horse racing in a jurisdiction it’s a big deal to a lot of people, and not just horsemen, but the entire horse industry from an agri-business perspective and for the morale of a community.”
– John Marshall, President of Revolutionary Racing Kentucky