FROM THE PRESIDENT

A LETTER  FOR ALL NEW MEXICO HORSEMEN

FROM: TERRY WALKER, PRESIDENT, NEW MEXICO HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Greetings and best wishes to all Horsemen.

As you know  since the coming of gaming,  slot machine revenue earmarked for purses in many states including New Mexico has been a great positive to our industry.  Without the slots at our 5 racetracks the  purses in New Mexico would be just a fraction of what they are today.   Who would have thought 10 years ago when the race tracks and horsemen in New Mexico were struggling to exist as an industry that the money from gaming would have such a positive impact on our purses and our industry as a whole.

Since the coming of gaming  there appears to be  a trend at some tracks nationwide to emphasize gaming over horse racing.  The result is to emphasize the money that is brought in through the machines over the economic benefit of live racing.  As a result, racing is minimized and the costs associated with racing are magnified. What is forgotten in all this is the fact  that NM and other states passed gaming laws because of  horse racing.  The legislature in New Mexico and other states  passed the laws that permitted slots at racetracks  in recognition of  a need to help the agricultural economy (hay and other feed, supplies, brood mares, stallions, farms, racing horses etc., ) that is part and parcel to the horse racing industry.  In their deliberations, the legislatures were very clear that the purpose of gaming was to support the horse racing industry and to assist the folks who race and breed horses as well as those who were willing to take the risk of operating a racetrack.  Essentially the legislature in New Mexico created an equal partnership between the Horsemen, the Breeders and track management so that each could survive and thrive in our important industry.  

This fact is becoming lost  on some racetracks across the county  including New Mexico as more and more track operators view the horse racing side of their business as an economic afterthought and an expense.   

Last year, the NMHA examined the economic impact of  horse racing on our state.  We found that  our owners and trainers spend more than $75 million dollars per year training horses for racing in New Mexico.  In real economic terms with the turn over of money our impact on the state may be as large as $300 million dollars per year.  This number does not include what is spent in the state by the horse Breeder’s.  Simply said, our economic impact on the State of New Mexico and the cities where racing is held is great.  In this regard we are comfortable is saying that we have a greater economic impact on the state than the Junior Arabian Horseshow (held at the DAA) and the National Junior Rodeo (held at Sunray Park) combined.  We are proud of our sport and encourage our members to be proud of our sport as well. 

Presently the Horsemen Association is in a dispute with Sunray Park over certain matters.  As a result there has been no out of state simulcasting over the past several days.  The Horsemen has attempted to seek the track’s agreement over several items that would benefit all concerned.  Among the items that have been advanced by the Horsemen is a replay booth where Horsemen can view their races the same day that they occur,  further assurances that the track will be maintained to its safest possible condition and an agreement that the Sunray will not discriminate or retaliate against Horsemen who raise legitimate concerns over track safety or backside conditions. Each of the proposals that have been raised are reasonable and appropriate. To date Sunray Park has refused to agree to any of these legitimate concerns.  The Horsemen remain open to any dialogue that will resolve these concerns.

As an organization we will continue to press for an equal economic partnership with our racetracks throughout the state.  A partnership where horse racing is placed at the forefront of the business and  dealt with fairly. 

As always, the NMHA is here to support and advance horse racing in New Mexico.  If you have any questions about this letter, please call me at 915.474.3580 

Good luck and good racing!!!!  

Sincerely,

Terry Walker, President, New Mexico Horsemen’s Association