Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association

According to the recently released American Horse Council Foundation 2023 Equine Economic Impact Study, the Florida equine industry contributes $12.8 billion to the Florida economy. Florida Thoroughbreds contribute $3.24 billion annually to the Florida economy, more than one-quarter of that horsepower. The study commissioned by the American Horse Council reaffirmed the status of the Florida equine industry, and specifically Thoroughbred horse racing, as a major sports and agricultural industry within the state. Florida remains the third-leading equine state by population (behind Texas and California) with 335,000 head creating more than...

An unprecedented $2.1 million will fill the Florida-Bred Incentive Fund (FBIF) for overnight race conditions to start the new year, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA), Gulfstream Park and the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association said in a combined release Wednesday. Independently, the FTBOA revealed that an additional $1.3 million of Florida-bred race incentives on Gulfstream Park stakes and selected overnights to complement the expanded FBIF and longstanding Florida-Sire Sire Stakes 2-year-old series is on tap. The combined programs, totaling $4.6 million, are substantially enabled by HB 7063, a...

George Isaacs, general manager of Ocala's Bridlewood Farm, has been reelected as the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) president, according to a release put out by the organization Wednesday. Following the annual member meeting, the FTBOA held a board meeting and also named Rustlewood Farm's George Russell the first vice president, Summerfield's Francis Vanlangendonck the second vice president, Ocala Stud's Joseph M. O'Farrell as treasurer, and Nick de Meric, who operates de Meric Stables and Sales, as secretary. "I have been fortunate to lead FTBOA at a time...

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association reported a substantial increase in awards will be paid to breeders and stallion owners for 2024 through their Annual Awards Plan that was approved by the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the organization said in a release Thursday. The plan increases, which were enabled with the enactment of HB 7063, would increase Florida breeder and stallion awards by one-third, from the 15% level in 2023 to as much 20% of the announced gross purse in 2024. HB 7063 is a $1.3 billion tax package...

George Isaacs, general manager of Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, was elected president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association Friday. "I am honored and humbled to be elected by my peers to this important position," Isaacs said. "Being an active manager of a large Florida breeding operation, I hope to do my part in continuing to bolster the Florida breeding and racing industry." FTBOA board members Marilyn Campbell and Joe O'Farrell, III extended their terms on the board while Jerry Campbell, Mike Hall and Mary Lightner were named to...

Longtime Thoroughbred industry executive Steve Koch has joined the senior management teams of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association and Florida Equine Communications. Koch will assume responsibilities in July for all operations and systems related to the FTBOA and FEC offices, meeting rooms, library and museum facilities. Koch will also coordinate a soon to launch, in-house video and broadcast production partnership and tenant relationship and will generally assist the management team in increasing awareness, economics and programs for the FTBOA membership and Florida Thoroughbred industry. "It is an exciting...

Fred Brei and Milan Kosanovich will return to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association board of directors while Bobby Jones, Francis Vanlangendonck and Dr. Fred Yutani all remain on the board for second terms. Each will serve a three-year term that will run until October 2023. Leaving the board because of term limits as outlined in the FTBOA by-laws were Barry Berkelhammer and Greg Wheeler. Wheeler will, however, remain on the board ex officio as a past president of the Association. Phil Matthews, DVM, was elected as the president...