1/ST

1/ST has appointed former Federal Bureau of Investigation Supervisory Special Agent Rob D'Amico as Chief Security Officer for the 1/ST group of companies. D'Amico will lead an integrated security team that will focus on elevating and enforcing safety and integrity protocols across 1/ST businesses. The appointment of D'Amico as Chief Security Officer provides an increased layer of protection and security oversight on the backstretch, for guests at 1/ST venues and online, for employees and the company's advanced IT systems. "I am thrilled that Rob has joined our team as Chief...

The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has released its annual report, covering both the fiscal year 2019-2020 and the calendar year 2020. As expected, given the onslaught of a global pandemic, it paints a rather grim economic picture, but there are major positives to be gleaned, chiefly in the equine safety arena. When it comes to the business side of the equation, all-breed total handle generation during 2020 declined by 7% over the prior year. Because of a wholesale shift away from bricks and mortar wagering towards ADW platforms last...

1/ST has announced its continued support of the Jockeys' Guild. Under the terms of the agreement between the two organizations, each of 1/ST RACING's venue racetracks (Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, and The Maryland Jockey Club operating Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park) will continue to make payments to the Jockeys' Guild to subsidize health, life and accident insurances, as well as short-term and long-term disability benefits for jockeys who are members of the Guild and ride at 1/ST RACING racetracks. "1/ST RACING is pleased to continue...

Officials at Santa Anita have announced that Nate Newby has been promoted to the position of general manager, while Chris Merz will add racing secretary to his current role of director of racing. Newby has most recently served Santa Anita as its senior vice president and general manager and comes as Aidan Butler transitions to his new position as chief operating officer of 1/ST Racing and president of 1/ST Content in Florida. Butler previously headed California operations for Santa Anita's parent company The Stronach Group. Newby, who has been at...

Golden Gate Fields and the City of Berkeley Public Health issued the following update Friday evening with regards to a COVID-19 outbreak at the track which has shut down racing at least through November: City of Berkeley Public Health continues to work closely with Golden Gate Fields on a significant outbreak where more than 200 people living or working on-site at the racetrack have tested positive for COVID-19. 1/ST RACING, which operates the track, is following all of the City's recommendations for testing, quarantine and isolation. The steps they have...

Officials at 1/ST announced Friday that Paul Williams, who has been with The Stronach Group since 2018 as Chief Technology Officer, has been appointed to the dual roles of 1/ST TECHNOLOGY's Chief Executive Officer and 1/ST's Chief Technology Officer. Williams will work directly with 1/ST RACING and 1/ST CONTENT to amplify the company's programs. He will lead the consolidation of 1/ST's digital businesses to drive revenue for AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, and others. In addition, Williams will also continue to build on the internal and external IT infrastructure that is...

The Stronach Group's Aidan Butler has been appointed to Chief Operating Officer, 1/ST RACING and to President, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST announced Thursday. Butler joined The Stronach Group in 2018 and has been front and center in California leading the racing operations teams at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields as the Acting Executive Director of California Racing Operations. In addition, he also served as Chief Strategy Officer for The Stronach Group. Butler will work directly with Craig Fravel, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST RACING, to further develop the company's racing...

The 1/ST website, developed by DeepSleep Studio, was named the Best Sports Website at the 24th Annual Webby Awards (WFH: Webbys From Home) Tuesday afternoon. The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is an international award organization which honors excellence on the Internet. 1/ST is The Stronach Group's consumer-facing brand. "DeepSleep Studio's development of the 1/ST website has set the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet," said Claire Graves, Executive Director of The Webby Awards. "This award is a testament to...

Edited Press Release The Stronach Group introduced a new consumer facing brand: 1/ST (pronounced "First"). 1/ST represents the company's continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. It is the engine that advocates for and drives the 1/ST Horse Care mission while powering the company's forward-thinking 1/ST Racing, 1/ST Technology, 1/ST Live and 1/ST Properties businesses. This weekend, the company's Pegasus World Cup Series will introduce the 1/ST brand with medication-free racing at the highest level. 1/ST Horse Care is donating 2% of the total $4-million...