Page 10 - NM Winter 2023

FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings everyone,
As we’re approaching the end of the year, I’d like to take this
opportunity to address some positive, important achievements we’ve accomplished.
By we, I’m referring to all of us – owners, breeders, trainers, track owners and
managers, and the NMRC, all of us involved in a sport that we love.
Collectively, we managed a huge win in the last legislative session particularly with the passage of SB 336. To remind everyone, SB 336 pays for the jockey and exercise rider insurance and the assessments (or payment) owed to the Feds, for HISA fees, which will be deducted from the taxes on gaming owed to the state.
For some background: the original idea for
the above came from Ralph Vincent. Ralph is an owner and breeder and is a former president of the NMHBA. Ralph has a company that has provided IT services to the state government for many years
and maintains an office in Santa Fe. His role in Santa Fe has given Ralph a valuable insight as to how government in New Mexico works.
Honestly, when Ralph first pitched this idea to me, I considered it a long shot at best. But Ralph thought it had a chance and we succeeded in getting it passed.
It’s more than obvious that the passage of SB 336 benefitted all of us in the industry. With an inspiring display of unity, horsemen, breeders, track owners, the NMRC, lobbyists for the NMHA and the NMHBA, worked together with Senator Padilla to get the bill passed.
Many of you called or wrote to Senator Padilla urging his support. He was bombarded with calls and emails. He mentioned that this was a rare occasion when stakeholders in New Mexico racing were united.
An important and valuable lesson was learned from this experience. Namely, getting to know our legislators and letting them know when there are issues legislatively that are of concern to us either negatively or positively. Our input is critical.
As part of this effort, our lobbyist, Joe Thompson, arranged for the Speaker of the House, Javier Martinez, to visit our office. We had a really positive meeting. Speaker Martinez was very attentive, asked a lot of good questions and was genuinely interested in our story and our industry. I feel that we have established an
important relationship with the Speaker. Thanks again to Joe Thompson. He’s doing a great job for us.
The Downs at Albuquerque recently hosted both the richest futurity and derby for state breds in the country! The NMSF QH Futurity, $1.208 million for NM Breds and the NMSF QH Derby, $435, 209 also for NM Breds. It was a great event and the Downs did a super job.
Thanks to Paul Blanchard and Don Cook of the Downs and to all of you breeders who nominated your horses.
This is another important example of what we can accomplish when we work together.
Events like this energize the industry
and that enthusiasm is reflected in record prices for NM breds at the sale. Keep up the good work!
Finally, I’d like to congratulate Robert and Del Rae Driggers, and Ben Ivey on their award for leading New Mexico thoroughbred breeders by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeder Association or TOBA. They attended the ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky and I’m sure they had a grand time seeing the sights. Congrats!
Best of luck to all for the upcoming breeding season. Get your rest while you can!
Best regards, Tom Goncharoff
RACE A DAY REPORT FOR ALBUQUERQUE & NM STATE FAIR THE DOWNS AT ALBUQUERQUE RAN 125 NEW MEXICO BRED RACES IN 36 DAYS THROUGH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2023.
2023 – 36 DAYS 2022 COMPARISON – 38 DAYS
42 TB OVERNIGHT = 48 QH OVERNIGHT =
2 TB TRIALS 21 QH TRIALS
6 TB STAKES = 6 QH STAKES =
$416,500
$330,000 $490,000
60 TB OVERNIGHT 49 QH OVERNIGHT =
$374,500
$330,000 $300,000
2023 2022
372 450
97 26 140 32
50 47 $134,453.00 66 74 $166,458.40
3 TB TRIALS 16 QH TRIALS
6 TB STAKES = 5 QH STAKES =
125 TOTAL $1,236,500 144 TOTAL $1,004,500
3.48 AVERAGE PER DAY
50 TB + 75 QH = 125 +17 FOR THREE A DAY
3.66 AVERAGE PER DAY 69 TB + 70 QH = 139 +25 FOR THREE A DAY
CONTRIBUTED $232,000 MORE THAN IN 2022.
TB = 365 HORSES / 42 NM BRED OVERNIGHT RACES FOR AN AVERAGE OF 8.69 QH = 457 HORSES / 48 NM BRED OVERNIGHT RACES FOR AN AVERAGE OF 9.52 COMBINED = 822 HORSES / 90 NM BRED O/N RACES FOR AN AVERAGE OF 9.14
NEW MEXICO BREDS IN OPEN OVERNIGHT RACES AT THE DOWNS AT ALBUQUERQUE IN 28 DAYS THROUGH 10/15/23
Year
# of Horses
Came in 1st, 2nd or 3rd
%
TB
QH
Amount paid
8 New Mexico Horse Breeder