Tom Rooney

Last month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into state law the self-described "strongest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the country." Under the new statute--the bulk of which goes into effect on July 1--business owners with 25 or more employees must use E-Verify to confirm the immigration status of new hires, and be subjected to enforceable penalties for employing undocumented workers, as well as stricter penalties for sending undocumented workers across state lines to work in Florida, among other provisions. When enforced, the new stringent laws are highly likely to impact everyone...

The Eclipse Award ceremony will again be held at The Breakers Palm Beach next year. The 53rd annual event, hosted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, will be held Jan. 25. "After a great success this past year, we are excited to bring the Eclipse Awards back to The Breakers Palm Beach," said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. "The enthusiasm for this event continues to build, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Palm Beach at the...

Edited Press Release Paul Calia, a retired disability advisor for Social Security from Kansas City, Missouri, toppled a field of 779 entries to take home the grand prize of $800,000, in addition to finishing in fourth place with his second entry--good for another $150,000-- to earn an Eclipse Award and Horseplayer of the Year honors during the NTRA National Horseplayers' Championship which concluded Sunday in Las Vegas. This is the first contest that Calia has ever won. Calia amassed winnings of $362.50 on his first entry, and $305.50 on his...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be on-site to promote aftercare awareness at the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) March 10-12 at Horseshoe Las Vegas., the group has announced. Horseplayers are invited to connect with TAA representatives, learn more about accredited Thoroughbred aftercare, donate to TAA to win tickets to the Florida Derby or for a tour of Old Friends, and take home racing memorabilia. TAA will also be on site for the Last Chance First Chance NHC Qualifier to which NTRA donated a VIP opportunity through TAA's Off to...

"As a former instructor of constitutional and criminal law at the United States Military Academy, I implored upon the cadets that we are a nation of laws, not of emotional disinformation. Article III of the Constitution gives the courts the task of interpreting the laws to determine constitutionality and that process is exactly what is happening right now with HISA. "HISA is the law of the land and has been challenged in the courts. In this country constitutionality is not determined by those who may disagree with the language of...

As the official charity partner for the 52nd annual Eclipse Awards, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) was commemorated throughout the awards celebration and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association concluded the evening by announcing a $10,000 donation to the TAA. "The work and mission of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is vital to the growth and success of our industry," said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. "NTRA is grateful for the care and due diligence provided by the TAA each and every day to support our retired racehorses and we encourage...

Tom Rooney, a former Congressman, a lawyer and an Army veteran, was hired to take over as the top man at the NTRA because the NTRA Board knew he could make a difference in Washington. Some two years later and with the swinging pendulum that is the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), Rooney has his hands full. This week, Rooney sat down with the team on the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland to discuss what he and his staff are doing to advocate for the sport. Rooney...

In-person attendees of the Eclipse Awards will have the opportunity to donate to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) and learn more about its mission through on-screen displays of TAA's messaging at the Eclipse Awards, to be held Jan. 26 at The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida. The TAA is the official charity partner of the event. "As we convene to recognize the most accomplished horses and humans of 2022, the NTRA is proud to recognize the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as the Official Charity of the 52nd Eclipse Awards," said NTRA President...

Tom Rooney, the President and CEO of the NTRA, joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to discuss HISA, his family background and more on the future of horse racing.

According to figures released Thursday by Equibase, a robust $1,309,837,841 in purse money was paid out during the year in the U.S., an increase of 10.92% and an all-time record for the sport. Total handle on U.S. racing in 2022 was $12,108,807,335, a decrease of 0.87% when compared to 2021 numbers. The total bet in 2021 was $12,215,598,838. "Thoroughbred racing purses and pari-mutuel handle continued to exhibit strength in 2022," NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney said in a statement. "Purses were up double-digits year-over year and reached an all-time...

A $1.7-trillion omnibus spending bill that includes language that would give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) more authority over the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) passed in the House of Representatives Friday. Friday's development came one day after the bill passed in the Senate. The bill will next go to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. The language in the bill relating to HISA is meant to address issues raised by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in November. That court ruled that HISA was unconstitutional...

John Deere, Keeneland, and The Jockey Club will be presenting sponsors of the 52nd Annual Eclipse Awards, honoring Thoroughbred racing's champions of 2022, to be held Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at The Breakers Palm Beach, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Wednesday. "We are grateful to John Deere, Keeneland, and The Jockey Club for their partnership in serving as this year's presenting sponsors for the Eclipse Awards," said Tom Rooney, President and CEO of the NTRA. "We're very excited to welcome the Thoroughbred industry to The Breakers to celebrate the...